To care for a cowboy hat, brush felt and suede with a soft brush, wipe straw and leather-look hats with a barely damp cloth, and let any wet hat air dry with the sweatband turned out. Handle it by the brim, not the crown, and store it upside down on the crown or on a hat rack.
Those few habits cover most of it. Below is how to clean each material, what to do about rain and sweat, and how to fix a brim that has lost its shape.
How should I handle a cowboy hat day to day?
Most hat damage comes from how it is picked up and set down, not from wear. Pinching the front of the crown every time you lift your hat stretches felt and can crack straw right at the crease.
- Lift it by the brim: one hand at the front, one at the back, or one hand at the front brim edge.
- Set it down crown first: a hat resting on its brim will slowly flatten or curl the wrong way.
- Keep hands clean: oil and dirt from your fingers show fastest on light felt and white straw.
- Put it on from the back: slide it on back to front so the sweatband settles evenly.
How do I clean a felt cowboy hat?
Felt wants a dry approach. Use a soft hat brush and work counterclockwise around the crown and brim, which follows the nap and lifts dust out instead of pushing it in.
For lint or pet hair, a lint roller works well. For a small mark, try a dry cleaning sponge or a clean pencil eraser with light pressure. Do not soak felt or put it in a washer.
On a black felt hat like this one, a quick brushing after each wear keeps it looking sharp. Wipe the silver conchos with a dry soft cloth so they stay bright without getting moisture into the felt behind them.
How do I clean a straw cowboy hat?
Straw is lighter and more forgiving with water, but it can crack if it dries out or gets bent. Wipe the brim and crown with a soft cloth dampened with plain water, then let it air dry.
For a light-colored straw, deal with smudges early. A drop of mild soap in water on a cloth will lift most marks. Avoid bleach, which can yellow straw and weaken the weave.
On this white straw hat, keep the cloth away from the turquoise feather and wipe around the braided band rather than through it. If the feather gets bent, a few seconds of light steam will help it relax back into place.
How do I clean suede and leather-look hats?
Suede-finish hats do best with a suede brush or a soft dry brush. Brush in one direction to raise the nap and lift dust, and use a suede eraser on small scuffs. Keep suede as dry as you can.
Leather and leather-look hats, like our brown leather cowboy hat with studded braided band, are the easiest to wipe clean. Use a soft cloth that is barely damp, then let it dry at room temperature. On real leather, a small amount of leather conditioner once or twice a year keeps it from drying out, so test it on a hidden spot first.
What is the quick care guide by material?
| Material | Everyday cleaning | Water | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felt | Soft brush, counterclockwise; lint roller | Light rain is fine; never soak | Crown down or on a rack, out of heat |
| Straw | Damp cloth with plain water | Handles sweat well; let dry fully | Crown down, nothing stacked on top |
| Suede | Suede brush in one direction; suede eraser | Keep as dry as possible | On a rack or in a hat box |
| Leather and leather-look | Wipe with a barely damp cloth | Dries well at room temperature | Crown down or on a rack, away from sun |
What should I do if my hat gets rained on?
Shake off the water first. Then turn the sweatband out so air can reach it, and let the hat dry at room temperature resting on its crown or on a rack.
Keep it away from heaters, hair dryers and a hot dashboard. Fast heat can shrink the sweatband and warp the brim, which is far harder to fix than a little water.
How do I deal with sweat on a cowboy hat?
Sweat is the main reason hats wear out early, and the sweatband takes most of it. After a hot day, turn the sweatband out and let it air dry before you put the hat away.
Every few weeks of regular wear, wipe the sweatband with a cloth barely damp with water and a drop of mild soap. Let it dry fully. Straw handles sweat best, which is why it is the usual pick for summer.
Where should I store my cowboy hat?
Store your hat upside down on its crown, or hang it on a hat rack or a wide hook. Either way the brim keeps its shape. A hat box works well for felt and suede you wear only a few times a year.
Avoid car back windows, hot attics and damp basements. Heat dries straw and shrinks sweatbands, and damp air can leave felt and suede musty.
Can I reshape a cowboy hat at home?
Small fixes, yes. If a brim edge has flattened or a crease has softened, hold that spot over the steam from a kettle for a few seconds, keeping your hands clear of the steam. Shape it with your fingers and hold it until it cools.
Go slowly and steam only a small area at a time. For straw, a light mist from a spray bottle is usually enough. Big changes to a crown shape are a job for a hat shop.
How do I pick a hat that is easy to care for?
If low upkeep matters most, straw and leather-look hats are the simplest to keep clean. Felt and suede take a little more brushing but look sharp for evening events. Our guide on how to choose a cowboy hat covers crowns and brims, and you can browse every style in our cowboy hats collection, from $29.99 to $109.99, all one size.
Every order ships free within the U.S. Unworn hats with tags in original packaging can be returned within 30 days, and our FAQ page covers the details.
FAQ
How do you clean a felt cowboy hat?
Brush it with a soft hat brush, working counterclockwise around the crown and brim. Lift light marks with a dry sponge or lint roller, and never soak felt in water.
Can you get a cowboy hat wet?
Straw and leather-look hats handle a light sprinkle, and felt can shed light rain. If a hat gets soaked, shake it off, turn the sweatband out and let it air dry at room temperature, away from direct heat.
How should I store a cowboy hat?
Rest it upside down on its crown or hang it on a hat rack or hook. Keep it out of hot cars, direct sun and damp basements.
Why should you not lift a cowboy hat by the crown?
Pinching the crown over and over stretches felt and can crack straw at the creases. Lift the hat by the front and back of the brim instead.
How do you get sweat stains out of a cowboy hat?
Wipe the sweatband with a cloth barely damp with water and a drop of mild soap, then let it dry turned out. On felt, dab outside marks gently rather than scrubbing.
Can I reshape my cowboy hat at home?
Small fixes, like a brim that has flattened, can be done with a little steam and your hands. Hold the area over steam for a few seconds, shape it, and let it cool in place.