How To Get Rid Of Sweat Stains On Hats

Bina asked: How do I remove sweat stains from a baseball hat? It is 100% cotton and gray in color.

Baseball caps can quickly build up sweat and other oils that are naturally found on our heads and in our hair. In order to remove these stains, it requires a cleaner that can break down the oils and remove them. Here are a variety of quick and easy steps you can take at home to get your hat looking and smelling fresh again.

You Will Need:

A cleaner (choose one):
- Shampoo
- Aspirin
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Meat tenderizer
- Woolite
- Ammonia
Old toothbrush
Water

Steps to Remove the Stains:

These steps contain several different cleaning options. Choose whichever one works best for your situation and what materials you have on hand. If it doesn't work, move on to the next one until your stains are completely removed. After removing the stain, wash the hat as directed by the care guidelines given from the manufacturer. If no care instructions from the manufacturer are available, use the guide How to Clean a Baseball Hat.

Shampoos are designed to break down body oils so they can be removed. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the sweat stains and scrub the area with an old toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.
Moisten the area with cold water and apply a good amount of meat tenderizer. Work the tenderizer into the stain with your fingers or a toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.
Mix a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the stained area and add a small amount of white vinegar. Scrub the area with a toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.
Dissolve two aspirins in a half a cup of water. Apply the mixture to the stain liberally and allow it to set for at least two hours. Add a few drops of a gentle laundry detergent, such as Woolite and scrub with a toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.
Mix a solution of one part ammonia and one part water. Apply the mixture to the stain and scrub with a toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.
Mix a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Apply the mixture to the stain and scrub with a toothbrush.
Rinse and wash as directed.

Additional Tips and Ideas

There is a product called Hat Saver that can be applied to the surface of the hat to keep stains from reaching the fibers.
The bill, or peak, of the cap often contains cardboard or a similar paper product. Use care not to over-moisten this part as it may cause it to lose its shape. You can quickly rinse the fabric to remove the cleaning products without fully soaking the cardboard.
It is often best to wash a ball cap by hand so the agitation from the washing machine does not ruin the shape. It is also recommended that it air-dry as the heat from the dryer can cause it to shrink.
If attempting multiple removal methods, be sure to thoroughly rinse the area between each product to ensure they do not mix, as they could damage the hat if combine or create toxic fumes.

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