For people in colder climates, beanies are a go-to winter accessory. But frequent wear means that your hat has probably collected a lot of dirt, sweat, and other grime, that’s why cleaning matters.
Statistics show that 42% of Americans do not wash new clothes before wearing them.
Cleaning as a process is important for daily like, by cleaning it, you’ll remove:
· Bacteria that could cause you to get sick
· Chemicals that could irritate your skin
· Mites or lice that are too small to see
However, before cleaning, it’s suggested that you identify the material of the beanie.
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Beanies may be made of cloth, felt, wool, leather, or silk. In many US regions and parts of Canada the term "beanie" refers to a knitted cap (often woollen), alternately called a "stocking cap" or (especially in Canada) a "toque".
There are two methods you can use to wash your beanie. You can either hand wash or machine wash it.
Not all beanies are safe for the washing machine. Always check the care tag before cleaning. Some winter hats need to be washed by hand, including crochet hats, hats with embellishments, or hats that have fur linings or pom poms.
Be sure to check the care tag for specific cleaning instructions.
Follow these steps to keep your looking its best.
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Necessities: a sink or bucket, lukewarm water, mild detergent, two dry towels.
Fill a sink or bucket with cold water. For wool or cashmere, use lukewarm water, as hot water may cause the hat to lose its shape.
For wool, use a special detergent (like Woolite).
Remember don’t add too much soap—a good rule of thumb is to add about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of detergent per 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water. Using your hand, mix the water and soap together to make sure it’s evenly dispersed.
Use your hand to mix the soap and water. Then, fully submerge your beanie into the soapy water. Clean the beanie by swirling it around and gently squeezing it. Do this for at least five minutes.
Rinse the beanie by gently swirling it around in the water. Remove excess water by pressing the beanie against the side of the sink or bucket, or by pulling it out of the water and gently squeezing it.
Repeat until the beanie is clean and the water remains clear.
Remove excess water by pressing the beanie against the side of the sink or bucket, or by pulling it out of the water and gently squeezing it.
Repeat steps six through nine until the beanie is clean and the water remains clear.
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Necessities: a washing machine, mild detergent, a mesh laundry bag, a dry towel.
Most synthetic fibers (and some natural fibers) can be washed in a washing machine. If you're unsure how to clean your beanie, wash it by hand. Follow these steps to wash your beanie using a washing machine.
If your beanie has any stitching or decals, turn it inside out. After that, place your beanie inside of a mesh laundry bag (or knotted pillowcase) to prevent stretching. Then drop the beanie into the washing machine.
Select a delicate or hand-wash cycle to avoid damaging your hat. Intense agitation can cause beanies to lose their shape, so stick with a hand wash or delicate setting on your washing machine, which uses a gentler spin to clean the clothes.
Add the detergent into the exterior drawer of your machine rather than pouring it directly on the beanies to be washed. This could cause the hats to absorb most of the soap and result in an uneven wash.
If your beanie is wool, use a special detergent (like Woolite).
Select the temperature appropriate for your beanie (cold water, under 85 degrees Fahrenheit) and then start the cycle.
When the beanie is clean, pull it out of the washing machine.
Set the beanie flat on a dry towel or drying rack, then gently reshape the beanie with your hands and leave it to air dry.
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Life can be messy and stains such as coffee, wine, oil and grease, paint, and ink stains could happen to almost everyone.
Act quickly, use cold water and apply a small amount of stain remover, together with cold water. Salt or baking soda for red wine, white vinegar for coffee, baby powder for oil, toothpaste for ink, etc.
Blotting is key to removing stains,” according to Hodges. “You never want to rub because the stain could spread into the fibers of the fabric and become more difficult to remove.”
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Reshape the beanie with your hands when it is damp. This will ensure your hat returns to its original shape. You can also ball up plastic grocery bags and stuff a few inside your hat to help it keep its shape while it finishes drying.
Air-dry the hat instead of tumble-drying it. Lay your beanie flat on a dry towel or a mesh drying rack in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid using a hair dryer on your beanie, which can be hot enough to cause shrinkage.
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Dry the hat completely by laying it flat in a well-ventilated space. Place it on a mesh drying rack or a dry towel to finish drying. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, which could cause the color to fade.
Again, don’t use a hair-dryer, either, which can cause certain fabrics to shrink, also, don’t fold or crush it.
Photo by Red Hat Factory on Unsplash
Why Should You Clean a Winter Hat? Well, sweat and water are breeding grounds for bacteria, and if that’s not bad enough, your hair is also crawling with oil and dead skin cells.
After all, washing your beanie is not rocket science. Start by inspecting the washing instructions on the label and decide if it is machine or hand wash then the rest. Be careful not to stretch your hat by pressing on it hard.
Regardless of the method, you should wash your beanie once every few weeks to prolong its life.
That’s all for today, and hopefully you can obtain some relevant information, and any questions, just leave comments below and let us know!!
