Think the dishwasher is just for dirty plates? Think again. While the washing machine can be too rough for your favorite ball cap, the dishwasher offers a gentler, hands-free alternative. But you can’t just toss it in and press start.
If you skip the right prep, you risk ruining the brim or shrinking the fabric. We will walk you through exactly how to wash a hat in the dishwasher using the right settings and tools to keep it looking fresh and holding its shape.
Key Takeaways
- Check the brim first: Only wash hats with plastic brims in the dishwasher; cardboard brims will lose their shape and ruin the hat.
- Use a hat frame: Secure the cap in a plastic hat cage on the top rack to maintain its curve and prevent it from tumbling.
- Watch the detergent: Use a dishwasher detergent free of bleach and citric acid (lemon) to prevent fabric discoloration.
- Skip the heat: Always turn off the “heated dry” cycle and let the hat air dry to prevent shrinking or warping.
Can You Actually Wash Hats in the Dishwasher?
Yes, you can absolutely wash hats in the dishwasher, but with one major rule: check the brim material first.
Caps made prior to 1983 often use cardboard in the bill. If you soak cardboard in water, it turns to mush and the hat is ruined forever. Newer hats typically use plastic in the brim, which can withstand a wash cycle.
To test this, simply tap the brim. If it sounds hollow and plastic-like, you are good to go. If it bends easily or sounds like paper, skip the machine and spot clean it by hand.
The dishwasher is often safer than a washing machine because there is no tumbling agitation. The spray arms gently rinse the hat while it sits stationary on the rack.
The Risks: Does It Work for Every Hat?
While many people swear by this method, it isn’t risk-free. Dishwasher detergent is harsh and high heat can melt glues or warp plastic.
Do not put these hats in the dishwasher:
- Vintage hats with cardboard brims.
- Wool hats (they will shrink).
- Hats with delicate embroidery or leather tags.
Our guide below minimizes these risks by focusing on temperature control and detergent choice.
What Kind of Soap Should You Use?
You need to use standard dishwasher detergent, but you must be picky about the ingredients. Avoid anything containing bleach or citric acid (lemon scent).
Bleach will obviously ruin the color, but citric acid is also a bleaching agent that can fade fabrics over time.
Can You Use Laundry Detergent?
No. Never put laundry detergent in a dishwasher. Laundry detergent is formulated to create suds. Dishwashers are not designed to handle foam, and using it will likely cause suds to overflow onto your kitchen floor and potentially damage the pump. Stick to non-lemon dishwasher detergent.
How to Wash a Hat in the Dishwasher: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to clean that grime? Follow these steps to ensure your cap comes out clean and undamaged.
What You Need
- A dishwasher.
- A hat (baseball cap or trucker hat).
- Laundry stain remover or mild dish soap.
- Dishwasher detergent (Bleach-free and non-lemon).
- A “Cap Buddy” hat frame or plastic mold.
Instructions
1. Pre-Treat Stains
The dishwasher sprays water, but it doesn’t scrub. If you have deep sweat stains or dirt marks, you need to loosen them first. Spray a laundry stain remover on the dirty areas or gently scrub them with a little dish soap and an old toothbrush. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes.
2. Secure the Hat
We highly recommend using a plastic hat frame (often sold as a “Cap Buddy”). This keeps the hat’s structure intact and prevents it from getting crushed by water pressure. Place the hat inside the frame.
If you don’t have a frame, clear the top rack of the dishwasher. Place the hat on the top rack and use clothespins to clip the back of the hat to the prongs so it doesn’t fly around. Never place a hat on the bottom rack; the heating element is usually too close and can melt the plastic brim.
3. Add Detergent
Fill the soap dispenser with your bleach-free, citric-acid-free dishwasher detergent. Close the latch. Do not add rinse aid.
Pro Tip
4. Select the Cycle
This is the most critical step. Select a Light Wash or China/Crystal cycle. Use warm or cool water.
- Do NOT use hot water: It can shrink the fabric or warp the brim.
- Do NOT use “Heated Dry”: Turn the drying cycle OFF. The intense heat from the drying coil will almost certainly damage the hat.
How to Dry a Hat Properly
Once the cycle ends, remove the hat immediately. Do not leave it in the damp, enclosed machine.
Place the hat on a drying rack in a spot with good air circulation. To help the hat keep its shape, you can balance it over an overturned bowl, a melon, or a ball of bunched-up paper towels. Let it air dry completely, which usually takes a few hours to overnight.
Troubleshooting: Smells and Sweat Stains
How to Fix a Stinky Hat
If the dishwasher didn’t kill the funk, bacteria is likely trapped in the sweatband.
- Vinegar Soak: Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and cool water. Soak the hat for 30 minutes before washing. The acid neutralizes odors.
- Alcohol Spray: Mix a 1:1 solution of rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Mist the inside of the hat (the headband area) and let it dry. This kills bacteria on contact.
Removing Tough Sweat Stains
Yellow sweat stains are stubborn. Before the dishwasher cycle, try making a paste of baking soda and water. Scrub it into the stain with a soft brush and add a splash of vinegar. Let it bubble and sit for an hour before rinsing. This helps break down the oils causing the discoloration.
FAQs
Is It Better to Wash a Hat in the Washing Machine or Dishwasher?
The dishwasher is generally better for structured baseball caps because the hat stays stationary. In a washing machine, the tumbling action can crush the brim or ruin the structure of the crown. However, unstructured “dad hats” or beanies are usually fine in a washing machine on a delicate cycle in a mesh bag.
Can You Use Vinegar to Clean a Hat?
Yes, vinegar is excellent for cleaning hats. It is mild, dissolves mineral buildup from sweat, and neutralizes odors. You can pre-soak a hat in a vinegar-water solution before putting it in the dishwasher for extra cleaning power.
How Do I Know if My Hat Has a Cardboard Brim?
Tap the brim with your fingernail. If it makes a solid “click” sound, it is plastic. If it makes a dull thud or feels easily bendable and paper-like, it is cardboard. Also, check the tag; hats made before 1983 are almost exclusively cardboard and should never be submerged in water.
Why Do White Hats Turn Yellow?
White hats turn yellow primarily due to a chemical reaction between your sweat, body oils, and the fabric. Over time, the salt and bacteria in sweat oxidize, creating yellow stains. Sun exposure can also accelerate this yellowing process.
Does Putting a Hat in the Dryer Shrink It?
Yes, putting a hat in the dryer will almost certainly shrink it. The high heat tightens the fibers (especially cotton) and can warp the plastic brim. Always air dry your hats to preserve their size and shape.
Can You Dry a Hat in the Oven?
No, never dry a hat in the oven. Even on the lowest settings, ovens are too hot for synthetic fabrics and plastics. You risk melting the brim, scorching the fabric, and creating a serious fire hazard.
Batter Up!
Now that your hat is looking clean and smelling fresh, you can rock it again without worrying about sweat stains or bad odors.
Just remember the golden rules: check for a plastic brim, stick to the top rack, use non-bleach detergent, and never use the heated dry setting. If you are ever in doubt, hand washing is slower but always the safest bet.
