How to Care for an Ivy Cap

An Ivy Cap is a small round cap with a stiff brim. It's been worn since the 14th century mostly by the working class. They eventually became part of classic golfing attire. Today Ivy Caps are experiencing a renaissance. Both men and women are wearing them as a unique fashion statement. They are currently being manufactured from a variety of materials.

Things You'll Need

• Ivy cap
• Cotton swabs
• Hat brush
• Sticky tape
• Leather soap
• Soft cotton cloths
• Dish washer
• Dish washer detergent
• Hat shape holder
• Clothes dryer
• Hat box

Instructions

1. Read the label on the inside of the hat to identify what type of material it's made from. Check for any washing instructions.

2. Hand cleaning is always preferable to machine washing. Use rubbing, brushing, sticky tape or, in case of leather, leather soap to clean the hat. Apply water to a cotton swab to rub out a small stain. If it's stubborn apply some liquid dish washing detergent to the swab and work the soil or grease out of the material. Dab the detergent away using a damp cloth. Use a fabric brush to brush off dried surface dirt from the hat fabric. Use sticky tape to remove any pet hair or lint. Run the sticky tape roller over the fabric. For leather use a soft cotton cloth, like a piece of old T-shirt, to pick up some of the leather soap. Rub it on to the leather Ivy Cap in circular motions to lift any dirt. Wipe away dirt and leather soap with a clean cloth. When doing any type of hand cleaning on a fabric Ivy Cap don't over rub an area to avoid permanently breaking down the pile of the fabric.

3. Machine wash using the dishwasher rather than using a wash machine. Place the hat over a shape holder before putting it in the dishwasher. A hat shape holder is a flexible plastic frame the hat is pulled over to maintain its original shape before placing it in the dishwasher to be washed. Run the dishwasher on a regular cycle. Washing a cap in the dishwasher is preferable over hand washing when an all over, thorough cleaning of the hat fabric is required. For instance, if it fell into a mud puddle or if its soiled from profuse head sweating.

4. Air dry the hat after machine washing by pulling it over a hat shape holder and setting it on a flat surface out of direct sunlight.

5. Machine dry only after checking the label to see if it's recommended by the manufacturer. If it is, use a low heat cycle, such as for Delicates, to dry the hat.

6. Never store Ivy Caps in the sun. Put them in a hat box using a shape holder. Put the lid on the hat box and store the hat box in a cool, dry environment.

Tips & Warnings

• Machine washing can entail using a wash machine, dish washer, or dry cleaning. Only consider using machine washing when the shape, size, and color of the material won't be affected. And if the hat material is prone to wrinkling, don't machine wash.

• Some materials Ivy Caps are made from allow for the hat to be hung to dry on a clothesline but drying them using a shape holder on a flat surface is much preferred.

• Some materials such as leather can not be washed in a dish washer or clothes washer. Only clean leather Ivy Caps by hand or take it to an expert in leather cleaning.

• Do not put a wool Ivy Cap in a wash machine or dishwasher. It will shrink and you won't be able to wear it again.

References

• e4Hats: Hat Care