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Jun 04, 2025

How to Wash a Baseball Cap

Keep your hat clean with these tips for machine and hand-washing. Madeline Buiano is an editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home.

Keep your hat clean with these tips for machine and hand-washing.

Madeline Buiano is an editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home.

MaskaRad / Getty Images

While accessories are often worn and returned to the closet without being cleaned in between wears, regularly washing your baseball cap is important for overall hygiene as well as the hat's longevity. Since caps rest around your hairline, they can accumulate dirt, oils, sweat, and bacteria that can lead to skin irritation and unpleasant odors if they're not cleaned regularly. However, washing your baseball caps incorrectly can cause them to lose their shape. To prevent this from happening, we're sharing our tips for how to clean a baseball cap by hand and in the washing machine.

How frequently you clean your baseball cap depends on how often you wear it. For light use, washing it as needed is fine. For everyday wear, you may need to wash it once a week or more in hot weather. "On the other hand, if you sweat heavily while wearing the cap or if it gets stained, we would recommend washing it promptly to prevent odors and maintain its appearance," says Alicia Sokolowski, the president and co-CEO of AspenClean.

Make sure you have these materials on hand when washing a baseball cap.

Many baseball caps can be cleaned in the washing machine, but you should check the care tag for specific instructions or warnings before doing so, says Sokolowski.

If your baseball cap isn't suitable for machine washing, try cleaning it by hand instead. Keep in mind that it's still important to check the care tag before cleaning, says Sokolowski.

If your baseball cap has any stains, treat them with white vinegar and water. Some baseball caps can only be cleaned by spot-treating stains, like those with cardboard brims. "A hat with a cardboard brim cannot be submerged or soaked as it will ruin the structure and destroy the brim," says Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids.

Keeping your cap clean between washes can help eliminate odors and keep it fresh between wears. Here are some tips for that maintenance.

Sprinkle With Baking Soda: After wearing a baseball cap, sprinkle the inside with a little baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then shake or brush it out to help deodorize the cap.

Spot Clean the Band: Extend the time between washes by wiping down the inner band with a cloth dipped in a mix of water and a little detergent. The inner band is where sweat often collects, so this spot treatment keeps it fresh.

Air It Out: Place your cap in a well-ventilated area to dry and breathe between uses. Don't store it in an enclosed space, like a gym bag, where moisture can build up.