Cowboy hats are iconic symbols of the American West and cowboy culture. From cattle drives to rodeos, cowboy hats have been an essential part of a cowboy’s gear for over 150 years. While these wide-brimmed felt hats are remarkably durable, there are some things you should avoid doing with them to extend their lifespan. Here we’ll explore proper cowboy hat care and examine what you should not do with your Stetson.
What is the purpose of a cowboy hat?
Cowboy hats were designed to protect cowboys from the elements while they worked outdoors. The wide brims provide shade from the hot Western sun and shelter from rain and snow. High crowns allow air to circulate, keeping the head cool. Felt material also repels water nicely. Beyond functionality, the cowboy hat became a status symbol and fashion accessory. In cowboy culture, hats were customized with creases and dents to reflect personal style and personality. Well-worn hats created over years convey a sense of authenticity and help establish credibility in the West.
How should you care for a cowboy hat?
Caring properly for your cowboy hat will extend its lifespan for many years. Here are some basic care tips:
– Store the hat in a hat box or on a wide brim hat stand when not wearing it. This helps the hat maintain its shape.
– Use a hat brush to remove dust and loose dirt after each use. A soft bristle brush is ideal for felt cowboy hats.
– Spot clean stains with a damp sponge or cloth. Avoid excessive moisture.
– Apply a hat cream or oil every few months to condition the felt and repel moisture.
– Bring the hat to a professional hatter for steam cleaning every year or two. The hatter can also reshape and reblock the hat if needed.
– Protect the hat from rain and moisture. Felt absorbs water easily.
– Avoid setting the hat on its crown, which can dent or crease it.
– Consider using hat bands to protect sweat stains at the brow.
– Display the hat out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
What should you not do with a cowboy hat?
Now that we’ve reviewed proper care, let’s look at what you should avoid doing with your prized cowboy hat:
Don’t get it wet
Felt absorbs water very easily, so it’s important to keep your cowboy hat dry. Never intentionally soak or wash the hat in water as this can cause permanent damage. Be cautious wearing it in rainy weather. The brim will protect your head, but moisture absorbed into the rest of the hat will cause the felt to become misshapen as it dries. Make sure to let a damp hat fully air dry before storing to prevent mold or mildew growth.
Don’t leave it in the sun
While great for shade, direct sunlight can fade and damage your cowboy hat over time. When not wearing it, store the hat in a dark, dry place away from windows and sunlight. Long-term sun exposure will cause the colors to become washed out and the felt to become brittle. high-quality cowboy hats come with storage boxes or bags for this reason. Make use of them!
Don’t sit on it
Your rump was not meant for a cowboy hat. Sitting on your hat will likely bend the brim and crown out of shape or put unflattering dents in the crown. Additionally, the dirt and oils from your jeans could stain light-colored felt. Save your hat the indignity and place it beside you or hold it in your lap instead if taking a seat.
Don’t let it blow away
A cowboy hat flying down the highway makes for a good scene in classic Western films, but you’ll want to avoid that in real life. The lightweight felt and stiff brim catch the wind easily. Hold onto your hat with one hand when it’s windy out. Unexpected gusts can send an unattended cowboy hat tumbling end over end. You may lose your investment to the uncaring breezes.
Don’t modify the shape
Resist the urge to bend, dent, or crease your new cowboy hat to customize the shape. Natural wear over years creates character. Bashing in creases when new could structurally weaken the hat and break fibers in the felt. Minor steam shaping by a professional hatter won’t hurt the longevity. But radical changes may prevent the hat from rebounding to its original form later.
Don’t decorate with harmful products
You can customize a cowboy hat with hat bands, feather adornments, or pins without issue. But avoid decorating with chemical products that could damage the felt. Steer clear of paints, dyes, bleaches, and other harsh compounds that may fade the hat’s colors or seep in and break down the felt fibers. Opt for temporary decor for special events.
How to clean a cowboy hat
Over time, dirt, dust, and sweat will accumulate on your trusty cowboy hat. Here are some safe cleaning tips to extend its life:
– Use a soft bristle hat brush to remove loose dirt after each wear. Focus on the crown and inner brim.
– For light stains on the outside brim, spot clean with a damp sponge and a dab of mild detergent. Let air dry completely.
– Sanitize and absorb sweat stains at the inner brow with rubbing alcohol applied with a cloth. Air dry.
– For deeper cleaning, visit a professional hatter once or twice a year. Steam cleaning is ideal for cowboy hat felt.
– Freshen up and restore water resistance with hat oil or cream. Apply sparingly and buff.
Cowboy Hat Cleaning Don’ts
– Don’t soak the hat in water or use excessive moisture during cleaning.
– Avoid harsh chemical cleaners like bleach that may damage the hat materials.
– Don’t put the hat in a washer or dryer. The agitation and heat will irreparably mat down the felt nap.
– Don’t attempt to scrub out stubborn stains harshly. This could scrape off the exterior fibers.
How to store a cowboy hat
Storing your cowboy hat properly between wears ensures it maintains its shape and blocks dust and dirt. Here are some top tips for storage:
– Keep the hat in its original box or purchase a hat box that fits it snugly. The rigid structure helps the hat hold its shape.
– Wide brim hat stands are a good alternative for maintaining the brim curve.
– Store hat boxes or stands in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Heat and moisture can damage the hat over time.
– If a box or stand isn’t available, store the hat upside down on a shelf. Don’t stack objects on top that could dent the crown.
– Felt hats can collect moisture from the air, so add a moisture absorber inside the box or envelope the hat in a cotton hat bag before storing.
– For long-term storage between seasons, add some hat shaping inserts inside the crown to retain form.
– Before storing for more than a few months, bring the hat to a professional hatter for a steam clean and shaping.
What not to do when storing your cowboy hat
– Don’t store the hat crown-down on its brim. The crown needs support.
– Don’t leave the hat sitting in sunlight. Fade and damage will occur.
– Avoid storing in very hot or humid environments. Felt absorbs moisture easily.
– Don’t stack heavy objects on top of the hat when storing.
– Don’t use plastic garment bags for long-term storage. They can trap moisture.
– Don’t store with chemicals or odors that could absorb into the felt.
Signs your cowboy hat needs service
With regular care and avoidance of misuse, a quality cowboy hat will last for years. But occasionally your hat may need professional service to address:
Misshapen crown or brim
Over time with wear and gravity, the stiff brim and crown can lose their shape. A reputable hatter can reshape the hat with steam and reshaping blocks.
Dents and creases
Sitting on your hat or crushing it during storage can create unflattering dents. Steam from a hatter can help coax the felt back into shape.
Cracked or frayed edges
Step on your hat once or twice and the brim may become cracked or frayed. Fraying also occurs over time from abrasion. A hatter can seal edges with adhesive.
Discolored or faded
Sun fading, dirt accumulation, and sweat stains can all discolor a cowboy hat over the years. Opt for professional cleaning to restore brightness and color.
Stiffness or brittleness
Repeated wetting or long-term storage in dry settings can degrade the fibers and make felt hats stiff or brittle. Proper conditioning and moisture can restore suppleness.
Key takeaways
– Cowboy hats require special care to maintain their look and function. But some common mistakes can accelerate wear and cause permanent damage.
– Avoid soaking, harsh scrubbing, and reshaping. Let steam and a light touch do the work.
– Store in hat boxes and stands away from heat, humidity, and sunlight. Add moisture absorbers.
– Visit a professional hatter to steam clean and shape your hat every year or two.
– With proper care between wears, your cowboy hat will last for generations, developing character all its own.