A Guide to Help You Get the Most Out of Your Winter Headwear
We are deep into that time of year when we break out our beanies and winter hats. They do a fin3 job of keeping us warm and snug during winter’s harsh weather while looking stylish at the same time. But, sadly, most of us don’t give much thought to their care.
We should, though.
If you want to get the most out of your beanie and other winter hats, you need to take care of them properly, and that begins with washing. So let’s take a look at how to wash and care for your beanies and winter hats to keep them healthy and comfortable and make them last.
Why Should You Bother Washing Your Beanie?
Do you really need to wash your beanie? Yes, you do.
Beanies fit tight against your head, and that means they easily collect grime from your head and the products you use on it – sweat, makeup, hair products, and so on. If you don’t wash your beanie, it will quickly get dirty and bacteria contaminated and can be the cause of infections.
Just think about how often you wash your hair. Probably, every day or two at least, right? Because of the oils in the scalp and because hair is often exposed (unlike other body parts), your hair gets dirty fast, picking up all kinds of grime, dirt, and bacteria. And then all that gross stuff is transferred to your beanie when you put it on.
Consider all the things your body puts out in a day, especially when you’re engaged in any strenuous activity: at least a liter of sweat, 40 grams of greasy sebum, 10 grams of salts, and no less than two billion dead skin cells. And that, combined with the dirt and bacteria hair collects, is why you need to wash your beanie and winter hats regularly.
How To Wash A Beanie
You have two options for washing your beanie: hand washing and machine washing. Which method you use should be determined primarily by the instructions on the labels of your winter hats. So always be sure to check the label for the recommended washing method.
Hand Washing
Hand washing is typically better for knitted, synthetic-fabric (nylon, acrylic, and polyester, for example) beanies. Here’s how to proceed . . .
- Check the label for the recommended washing method.
- Fill a sink or bucket with cold water (although lukewarm water is better for wool and cashmere beanies).
- Add a small amount of mild liquid detergent, about one teaspoon per gallon of water, and then thoroughly mix the detergent in the water.
- Immerse your beanie in the water-detergent mix and swirl it around for five minutes. If you have deep stains, you may need to massage the beanie and then let is soak a while longer. Just make sure you don’t stretch the beanie, which can cause it to lose its shape.
- Next, rinse the beanie in cold water. Avoid running tap water for beanies made of delicate fabrics.
- To remove excess water, press the beanie, after balling it up, against a hard surface like the side of the sink or bucket. Do not wring it out – this can destroy both the elasticity and the shape.
- Then, roll the beanie up in a dry towel and gently press it to remove even more of the moisture.
- Finally, air dry your beanie. Do not put it in the dryer.
Machine Washing
If the label states that machine washing is acceptable, this is what to do . . .
- First, to avoid your beanie getting stretched out in the washer, put it in a laundry/washing bag before putting it in the washer.
- Also, be sure to wash your beanie only with clothes of the same color.
- Again, use a mild liquid detergent. Avoid pouring the detergent directly into the water and onto the beanie. Instead, use the drawer on your washer designed to gently introduce the detergent.
- Wash on the gently cycle so that your beanie doesn’t lose its shape, and make sure you use a low water- temperature setting, no higher than 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
- After washing and while your beanie is still damp, carefully re-shape it.
- Finally, air dry.
The Best Way to Clean Your Custom Beanie without Distorting Its Shape
As you can see from the above, one of the chief dangers in washing your beanie, especially a custom beanie, is causing it to lose its shape. So read the label and take great care in this area. The video below will show you how to safely wash your beanie . . .
If, however, you still have concerns about your beanie losing its shape during washing, you can always take to it the dry cleaners. Professional dry cleaners will take good care of it, and it really doesn’t cost much.
Is It Necessary To Wash A Winter Hat Before Wearing It?
Another common question is this: Is it really necessary to wash a winter hat before wearing it? The short answer is . . . yes.
Unfortunately, over 40% of Americans don’t wash new clothes, including hats, before wearing them. But there are several good reasons why they should,
You really should wash a winter hat before wearing it because hats are typically made in dirty factories. And then they sit for extended periods on store shelves where they are touched and pawed over by many people. So washing your winter hat before wearing it is just a sound health practice.
Washing your hat will remove . . .
- Excess dye that can be transferred to your skin and other clothing
- Bacteria that can make you ill
- Harsh chemicals that can irritate skin
- Accumulated dust
- And even mites and lice
How To Wash Winter Hats
Washing winter hats can present some special challenges, so here’s what to keep in mind about various hat styles . . .
Hats with Pom Poms
Winter hats with pom poms must be handled with care. Turn the hat inside out before washing and then hand wash in cool water with a small amount of mild detergent. Also, make sure not to immerse the pom pom and to rinse it separately under the faucet or showerhead.
Hats with Fur
A winter hat with a fur or faux fur lining should be hand washed in a sink or tub. Use cool water and a mild detergent that contains no harsh chemicals. After washing, brush the fur with a soft-bristled brush and then air dry.
Beanie with Visor
Do not machine a beanie with a visor because it could warp the visor. So hand wash only in a sink with cool water and mild detergent.
Strings can tangle or tear off in the washing machine, so hand wash only. Hand wash in cold water with a mild detergent, and try to keep the ear flap strings as dry as possible as they take a long time to dry.
How Often Should You Wash A Winter Hat?
You should wash a winter hat before wearing it, and you should wash it fairly regularly, but how often should you wash it?
Keep in mind that winter hats are exposed to sweat, hair grease, makeup, and hair products. So it’s typically recommended that you wash a winter hat a minimum of three to five times per season.
But also keep in mind that washing frequency depends in large put on what kind of use your hat is getting. If, for example, you’re wearing your winter hat on the ski slopes or while playing ice hockey, it’s going to absorb a lot of sweat and get pretty dirty. It’s best in these cases to wash a winter hat after every use.
Beanie and Winter Hat Care
Now let’s look at some tips for general beanie and winter hat care . . .
Removing Wrinkles
Typically, with winter headwear, you can’t iron it to remove wrinkles as you can with larger, flatter clothing items. Your best bet, then, to remove wrinkles is by using a hand steamer to release the wrinkles. You can also use a hand steamer to reshape a hat that has lost some of its shape.
Removing Lint/Animal Hair
Usually, a lint roller will do the trick to remove lint and/or animal hair from a winter hat. If you don’t have a lint roller, you can also wrap tape, sticky side out, around your fingers to do the job.
Storage
Storing a winter hat is pretty simple really – you just have to keep a few things in mind . . .
- Elastic/stretchy hats like beanies should not be stored in a stretched-out hat shape for any length of time because this can cause them to lose their elasticity. For extended storage, just fold or roll them to avoid any stretching.
- Winter hats with a brim or definite structure should be stored in a box in a cool dry spot. Avoid hanging such hats from a rack as it can dimple them or change their shape.
- Do not store a winter hat in any place where it will receive direct sunlight. Doing so can result in its fading, drying out, and/or losing its shape.
Your Source for Quality, Affordable Beanies and Winter Hats
So there you go: that’s everything you need to know about washing and taking care of your beanies and other winter hats.
But do you know where to go when you’re ready to purchase a new winter hat?
Why not go to the winter hat source that offers both quality hats and great prices coupled with superior customer service – Wholesaleforeveryone.com?
Here at Wholesaleforeveryone.com, we offer a wide selection of all kinds of winter headwear. Get yours today and enjoy all those fun winter activities in warmth, comfort, and style.
