Fill the detergent compartment with 1 tbsp (27 g) of Borax or non-bleach cleaner. Avoid any dish detergents with lemon or bleach since this could change your hat’s color. Pour the detergent directly into the compartment before sealing it. Close your dishwasher once you’ve added the detergent.
- Don’t use laundry detergent in your dishwasher.
- To see how your detergent will affect the hat, rub a small amount on a discreet spot of your hat to see if the color changes.
Run the shortest and coldest wash cycle without heat drying. Change the settings on your dishwasher to the coldest and shortest setting possible. Turn off the heating cycle if you can to prevent any creases or wrinkles in your hat.
- Use the delicate or china setting on your dishwasher if your machine has those options.
Drying Your Baseball Caps
Take the hat out of the dishwasher before the drying cycle. If you can’t turn off the drying cycle in your dishwasher, make sure to take out your hat before it starts. The heat could cause your hat to shrink or melt any plastic pieces your hat may have.
- Most dishwashers will have a light or display to show when the drying cycle starts
Set the hat on top of a jar or tall object to shape it while it dries. Open up the cap like you’re about to put it on. Set the middle of the hat on top of the jar or can to preserve its dome shape. Don’t touch the hat after you hang it until it dries.
- If you used a hat frame, you can leave the hat inside it to let it dry
Let the hat air dry completely. Don’t use any heat to dry your hat or else it may shrink. Instead, leave the hat at room temperature on your kitchen counter or table until it completely dries, which may take a few hours.
- Set up a fan near your hat to dry it faster.
