How to Care and Clean your Hats for Summer

Hats for summer vary in their materials. Straw hats would come in first. Cotton, raffia, and linen are also well-known materials.

Depends on the materials, hats have different characteristics and the way of caring. We introduce each feature and caring method to maintain their primal functions as a hat and to keep them clean.

Why do we wear hats?

A hat is a useful fashion item for all seasons. Hats and other types including caps, hunting caps, berets, and casquettes have the common role, that is protecting your head from shock, cold and heat. Also, making you look fashionable is the other role for hats.

The origin of hats is old. There have been tools which look like hats from primitive times.

Initially, those tools were made to protect heads. But during Medieval Europe, people of the upper class started using hats as a decoration. Small hats that do not even cover entire heads became popular in this age.

Nowadays, hats have both practilal and fashionable feature. Many poeple enjoy the combination of hats with their clothes.

Well, why do we wear a hat in the summer?

The reasons would be for avoiding the sun and reducing the heat. Those features appear well in the material and the shape of hats.

Straw hats and linen hats are made by weaving dried grass. The hats are breathable and you do not need to worry about being irritated by sweat.

Also, summer hats often have long brims. Brims protect your head from the heat of direct sunlight. The hats with long brims not only prevents heat stroke but also protects you from UV rays and sunburn.

Different features of hats

Depending on the material, hats have different characteristics and maintenance methods. You will know which hat would be your best by looking at the materials.

Straw hats

Straw hats are made of woven straw. Straw has many layers inside, and that is why it shuts off heat. Even when exposed to direct sunlight, straw releases the heat and keep the inside of the hat breathable. Straw is also resistant to UV light.

These are the reasons why straw hats are preferred for summer.

DAY STROWS is a hat brand from Okayama Prefecture of Japan, which was derived from the long-established straw hat manufacturer called Ishida Seibou. The brand has been making straw hats for many years since its founding in 1830. The standard design is its feature.

The hat of DAY STRAWS is made of straws that are made into flat tapes and are sewn by the special sewing machine. Its straw hat is made of extra thin braid, which only has 4mm in width. The sewing machine gives elasticity to the hat and its surface becomes so dense.

DAY STRAWS believes hats as a supplement to clothes. "Hats should be easy-to-wear, and they must show the clothes nicely."

Raffia hats

Raffia, a palm plant, is produced mainly in Madagascar, an island country in the east of the African continent. Because it contains natural resin, it has high flexibility and durability, and it does not split even if it is folded. It has a feature that it can be easily shaped by hand. The texture of raffia is smooth and gets luster as it is used.

HELEN KAMINSKI is founded by an Australian designer who desires to protect people from strong sunlight.

Its hats made of the highest quality raffia of Madagascar island are elegant, and most of them are foldable. Their high portability is useful in daily use and also for travel.

Linen hats

Linen is a natural fiber made from the flax plant. Among natural materials, flax is most likely to be easy to remove a stain, and to be resistant to washing. The material is good at absorbing moisture and immediate dry. Thanks to this feature, linen is widely used not only for clothes but also for kitchen and bath supplies.

The good thing about linen hat is that it can be used casually. Even if it gets wrinkled, it is easy to remove as you keep using. If you get stains, it is easy to wash at home. Moreover, it is foldable and easy to carry.

LINEN HAT of fog linen work has a wide elegant brim. It shuts direct sun and protects you from sunburn.

Even a knit cap could be used in summer if it is made of cotton and linen. Highland 2000's knit caps are made in England. They have dry touch and are breathable caps.

How to care for summer hats

Because summer hats are frequently exposed to UV rays, dust and sweat, it is important to give them proper care.

Brushing to remove dust

After use, gently remove dust with a soft clothes brush. Brush from the top to bottom and the brim as well.

Use a soft cloth to wipe the sweat

In the case the hat has a ribbon, it is important to wipe it out to remove sweat. Soak a soft cloth and squeeze tightly to clean.

When your hat gets stains

When your hat gets stains, wipe them out with a soft cloth. For straw hats, rubbing with an eraser or bread sometimes works to remove stains.

When your hat gets wet

When your hat gets wet by rain, dry well in shade. Hanging a hat may cause deformation.

For long-term storage

Please note the following when you store the hat for the long term.

- Make it dry

Sweat and moisture cause mold or odor. Make sure the hat is completely dry.

- Storage method

If you have a box for a hat, store the hat inside. If you do not have a box, put a paper inside the hat to keep its shape and make the brim rises from the bottom, then place it in a paper bag.

Choose an airy place for storage.