How to Clean & Care for Your Sun Hat
Caring for Your Sun Hat: How to Clean, Wash & Pack
Proper care is crucial to maintaining your sun hat's quality, especially with materials like Flexibraid®. Each of our hats is designed with unique features — some are crushable and pack flat in your suitcase, making them ideal for travel, while others are hand washable for easy maintenance. By following the care guidelines tailored to your hat's material — whether it's raffia, straw, panama, knit or Flexibraid — you can keep it stylish and functional for every adventure.
Thoughtfully Made, Designed to Last
We carefully select high-quality materials from trusted partners who meet strong ethical standards and share our commitment to more responsible production. Every hat is made with attention to detail, combining timeless design with craftsmanship that's built to last — so you can enjoy it season after season.
How to Clean & Wash Your Sun Hat
Not every sun hat is cleaned the same way. Hand-washable, colourfast styles (Flexibraid, Polyester Knit, Polybraid) can be hand washed in cold water, while natural fibres (raffia, reeds and grasses) should be spot cleaned only. Always check the internal tag of your hat first.
Hand Wash (for washable, colourfast hats)
- Check the internal tag to confirm your hat is hand washable
- Hand wash your hat in cold water using a mild liquid hand soap to clean the dirty area
- Use a soft cloth or brush for stubborn marks
- Rinse with clean cold water
- Reshape gently while damp
- Air dry outside in the shade, or use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry and shape your hat
- Do not machine wash, do not tumble dry
Spot Clean (for natural fibre, raffia & non-colourfast hats)
- Generally, handwoven Raffia, Natural Fibre and non-colourfast styles should be spot cleaned without submerging in water
- Spot clean the dirty area with a wet wipe, or a damp cloth only
- Optionally use a small amount of mild soap on the cloth
- Do not soak or submerge the hat
- Let it air dry flat in the shade
- Do not machine wash
How to Dry Brush a Sun Hat
For dust or surface dirt — especially on straw, raffia and natural fibre hats — a soft-bristle brush is often all you need. Brush gently in the direction of the weave to lift away particles without disturbing the fibres.
How to Clean a Sweaty Sun Hat
Sweat marks around the inner sweatband are the most common reason a sun hat starts to look worn. To clean a sweaty hat:
- Washable styles (Flexibraid, Polyester Knit, Polybraid): turn the hat inside out and gently hand wash the sweatband in cold water with mild liquid soap, then rinse and air dry in the shade.
- Natural fibre and straw hats: do not submerge. Use a damp cloth with a little mild soap to dab the sweatband, then wipe with a clean damp cloth and air dry flat.
- For persistent stains, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the sweatband, leave for an hour, then brush off with a soft brush.
Cleaning by Material
How to Clean a Straw Sun Hat
Straw and natural fibre hats are delicate. Spot clean only with a damp cloth — never submerge a straw hat in water, as this can warp the weave. For dust, brush gently with a soft-bristle brush in the direction of the weave.
How to Clean a Raffia Hat
Handwoven Madagascan Raffia hats should always be spot cleaned. Use a slightly damp cloth and pat — do not rub. Air dry flat in the shade.
How to Wash a Knit or Polyester Sun Hat
Polyester Knit hats are colourfast and hand washable. Wash in cold water with mild liquid soap, rinse, reshape while damp, and air dry flat.
Can You Wash a Panama Hat?
Traditional handwoven Panama hats should not be washed — spot clean only. Our Polybraid and Flexibraid "Panama-style" hats are hand washable; check the internal tag of your specific hat.
How to Wash a Bucket Hat
Most of our bucket hats are made from washable fabrics. Hand wash in cold water with mild liquid soap, reshape while damp, and air dry flat in the shade.
How to Pack Your Sun Hat for Travel
Most of our hats are crush-resistant and travel-friendly. The packing method depends on whether your hat is crushable or made from delicate natural fibres.
Flatten Method (for crush-resistant hats)
- For Flexibraid, Polyester Knit and Polybraid hats
- Push the crown of the hat straight down to flatten out the hat
- Lay flat in your suitcase so that it won't get folded or creased
- Avoid folding the brim unless the style is designed for it
- Gently steam your hat on arrival to remove any creases or wrinkles
→ Shop Packable, Travel-Friendly Sun Hats
Stuff Method (for natural fibre & raffia hats)
- Best method for delicate, non-crushable hats
- Pack your clothes around the edges of your case, leaving the middle free for your hat
- Place the hat upside down inside your case
- Fill the crown with soft items (clothing or scarves)
- Gently steam the hat on arrival if it has any creases
- View packing examples on our Pinterest packing board
General Sun Hat Care Tips
- Always handle your hat with care, especially natural fibres and raffia
- Avoid folding the brim unless the style is designed for it
- Store in a cool, dry place — out of direct sunlight when not in use
- Reshape gently after travel if needed; light steaming helps
- For long-term storage, fill the crown with tissue paper to hold its shape
Fabric Features & Care Chart
Use the chart below to find the right care method for your hat's material. Refer to the swing tag on your hat if you're unsure.
| Material Type | Material & Fibre Detail | UPF50+ | Crush Resistant | Hand Washable, Colourfast | Spot Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Flexibraid® Polyester Braid |
Flexibraid® is an innovative fabric unique to House of Ord - Cape Town. It is colourfast, washable, packable and so lightweight you'll forget you're wearing a hat! | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Polyester Knit | The tight knit creates a soft, supple hat that is easy to wear and can be hand washed in cold water. The material is also colourfast. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
|
Polybraid Polyester |
Threads of durable Polyester fibre are woven together to form a braid, and then stitched together to create the Polybraid hat. Crush-resistant, breathable and ideal for travel. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — |
|
Natural Fibre Reeds & Grasses |
Reeds and grasses are renewably harvested and dyed before being woven into a braid. This braid is then stitched together to create the hat. | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
|
Madagascan Raffia Handcrafted |
Beautifully crafted from the finest sustainably harvested Madagascan Raffia. Each piece is handwoven by skilled artisans, making our Raffia hats not only stylish but also unique. | ** | — | — | ✓ |
** In order to achieve UPF50+, a lining may be necessary. Styles with short brims, and visors, are not UPF rated and we therefore do not promote them as such.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean and maintain my wide brim sun hat?
Check the internal tag first. If hand washable (Flexibraid, Polyester Knit, Polybraid), hand wash in cold water with mild liquid soap, reshape while damp, and air dry flat in the shade. If made from raffia, reeds or grasses, spot clean only with a damp cloth — never submerge.
Can I machine wash my sun hat?
No. Machine washing damages the shape, weave and structure of any sun hat. Always hand wash washable styles, or spot clean delicate ones.
How do I clean a sun visor or visor hat?
Most of our visors are made from washable fabrics. Hand wash the headband in cold water with mild liquid soap to remove sweat marks. Rinse, gently reshape the brim, and air dry flat in the shade. Check the internal tag for any specific care instructions.
Will the colour or print on my hat fade after washing?
All our hand-washable styles (Flexibraid, Polyester Knit, Polybraid) are colourfast and printed with fade-resistant inks. To keep colours vibrant, always wash in cold water with a mild liquid soap and air dry in the shade — never in direct sunlight.
How should I store my sun hat between seasons?
Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Fill the crown with tissue paper to help it hold its shape. Avoid stacking heavy items on top.
How do I care for an eco-friendly straw or natural fibre hat?
Natural fibre and raffia hats are made from renewable, biodegradable materials and need extra-gentle care. Spot clean only with a slightly damp cloth, never submerge, and avoid harsh chemicals. Brush gently with a soft brush to remove dust, and store flat or hanging in a cool, dry place.
Please refer to the swing tag, the fabric chart above, or contact us for more info on your sun hat.
