Sweat band/general hat care
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- Michaelson
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Sweat band/general hat care
This time of year, those of use who wear our hats year round may have noticed that our fedoras get (to be civil) a bit 'gamey' due to the amount of perspiration we shed during the hot time of year.
This is usually due to the amount of dirt and perspiration the sweatband is designed to absorb.
Just to post my standard practice (and it's by far NOT the ONLY way, but it's worked for me all these years) that may help in that area.
Take a cotton ball and soak it in rubbing alcohol. Not dripping, but wet. Proceed to wipe the sweat band all the way round. Don't worry about the back of the band, just the side that touches your head. You'll be absolutely amazed how dirty your cotton ball will be. Do this with a couple of alcohol soaked cotton balls, but don't keep doing it until you have a completely clean cotton ball. If you go TOO deep with energetic cleaning, you may be pulling out the dye from the leather! Allow the hat band to air dry.
Alcohol will dry out leather, so once it's dry, you need to apply some leather treatment. A lot of folks advise using Pecards, and though that's a great product due to it's pH balanced formula, keep in mind, standard Pecards is a water resistant product. We still want our sweat bands to do their job, and this is to absorb, so we really don't want a repellent applied to the leather.
I use Pecards leather lotion (also advertised as 'motorcycle leather lotion') that is water soluable and is a cleaner/conditioner. A close product to this is Lexol leather cleaner/conditioner. This replaces the moisture lost from the alcohol cleaning, and also cleans and conditions the leather (yeah, well 'duh'! ).
After a couple light applications of the leather lotion (I just apply with my fingers rather than a cloth), allow it to completely air dry. Once dry, take a clean dry cotton rag and buff the band to remove any excess product and bring the band to a shine.
This adds years to the life of your sweatband, and also removes the grime from day to day wear as well as the odor of a 'well used hat'.
Just a tip offered.
Regards! Michaelson
This is usually due to the amount of dirt and perspiration the sweatband is designed to absorb.
Just to post my standard practice (and it's by far NOT the ONLY way, but it's worked for me all these years) that may help in that area.
Take a cotton ball and soak it in rubbing alcohol. Not dripping, but wet. Proceed to wipe the sweat band all the way round. Don't worry about the back of the band, just the side that touches your head. You'll be absolutely amazed how dirty your cotton ball will be. Do this with a couple of alcohol soaked cotton balls, but don't keep doing it until you have a completely clean cotton ball. If you go TOO deep with energetic cleaning, you may be pulling out the dye from the leather! Allow the hat band to air dry.
Alcohol will dry out leather, so once it's dry, you need to apply some leather treatment. A lot of folks advise using Pecards, and though that's a great product due to it's pH balanced formula, keep in mind, standard Pecards is a water resistant product. We still want our sweat bands to do their job, and this is to absorb, so we really don't want a repellent applied to the leather.
I use Pecards leather lotion (also advertised as 'motorcycle leather lotion') that is water soluable and is a cleaner/conditioner. A close product to this is Lexol leather cleaner/conditioner. This replaces the moisture lost from the alcohol cleaning, and also cleans and conditions the leather (yeah, well 'duh'! ).
After a couple light applications of the leather lotion (I just apply with my fingers rather than a cloth), allow it to completely air dry. Once dry, take a clean dry cotton rag and buff the band to remove any excess product and bring the band to a shine.
This adds years to the life of your sweatband, and also removes the grime from day to day wear as well as the odor of a 'well used hat'.
Just a tip offered.
Regards! Michaelson
- Ranger36
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Re: Sweat band care
Thanks,
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Re: Sweat band care
See, I'd have used regular Pecards.. then thought about the waterproofing bit after the fact. Great info!
Randy
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Re: Sweat band care
Great idea. The alcohol sanitizes as well. I usually rub leather lotion on the sweatband when the hat is new just to get a jump start on the break in process, softens it up some.
Re: Sweat band care
Good tip! I don't wear my hat as often, so I've been taking a more reserved approach of a wipe-down with a damp cloth. That might work as an intermediate cleaning between alcohol treatments.
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
Agreed, tym.
The method above is for those hats that have really been used hard and haven't had a good cleaning in a while.
Your method is a great practice to get into between the cleaning method I recommended.
I usually don't have to do this but once or twice a year. You don't want to hit your leather sweats super often, or they WILL dry out and crack, but on occasion with application of leather lotion will not bother the leather and will actually add years of life and use. Just use moderation, and don't get heavy handed when you're cleaning.
You'll be amazed just how much grime you'll remove, and that so much dirt and oil was suspended on the leather surface, but is hidden by the nature of the brown color of the leather sweat band itself.
(good point about the sanitation, Texas! You're absolutely right! )
Regards! Michaelson
The method above is for those hats that have really been used hard and haven't had a good cleaning in a while.
Your method is a great practice to get into between the cleaning method I recommended.
I usually don't have to do this but once or twice a year. You don't want to hit your leather sweats super often, or they WILL dry out and crack, but on occasion with application of leather lotion will not bother the leather and will actually add years of life and use. Just use moderation, and don't get heavy handed when you're cleaning.
You'll be amazed just how much grime you'll remove, and that so much dirt and oil was suspended on the leather surface, but is hidden by the nature of the brown color of the leather sweat band itself.
(good point about the sanitation, Texas! You're absolutely right! )
Regards! Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
You know I have never treated any of my hast/sweatbands. I do wipe them clean after a hot sweaty day but never treated them.
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
Try it, Oak. You'll be amazed what will come off that band.
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
Michaelson wrote:Try it, Oak. You'll be amazed what will come off that band.
Regards! Michaelson
When ever I get one that looks bad I will but so fare by just wiping it when wet with a dry cloth seems to do the trick. I will keep that nugget in my back pocket though.
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Re: Sweat band care
That is so true. I have an older wool baseball cap (Red Sox 2004 World Series on-field cap) with a white sweatband; the icky yellowish-brown color it acquired after only a dozen or so days' wear was pretty off-putting. For that hat, I was able to get by with a gentle hand-washing, followed by letting it dry on my head so that the sizing became perfect (it's a fitted cap).Michaelson wrote:You'll be amazed just how much grime you'll remove, and that so much dirt and oil was suspended on the leather surface, but is hidden by the nature of the brown color of the leather sweat band itself.
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Re: Sweat band care
Not to derail my own topic, but have you thought of trying a cleaning of your wool had by hand washing with Woolite?
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band care
Michaelson, I've seen a product advertized that basically is a form to hold baseball caps in their shape and made to use in washing machine on 'delicate' with Woolite.......haven't actually used one , maybe someone else here has ?
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Re: Sweat band care
I know what your talking about but I wouldn't throw my ball caps in a washing machine. I'm sure I wouldnt throw a fedra in one.
Last edited by BendingOak on Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
No, I'm talking about HAND WASHING your cap in Woolite.
Yeah, I have one of those hat rack thingies, and they're great for cotton hats, but NOT professional wool made/fitted caps. Haven't used mine for years, though, and it was mainly used to wash our daughters caps 'back in the day'.
Regards! Michaelson
Yeah, I have one of those hat rack thingies, and they're great for cotton hats, but NOT professional wool made/fitted caps. Haven't used mine for years, though, and it was mainly used to wash our daughters caps 'back in the day'.
Regards! Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band care
I only own two ball caps. one camo, the other a fishing cap, and I throw them both in the washer when needed with no problem.BendingOak wrote:I know what your talking about but I wouldn't throw my ball caps in a washing machine. I'm sure I would throw a fedra in one.
I'd venture to say if you washed a fedora in the washing machine, it'd come out "distressed"!
Randy
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Re: Sweat band care
I wouldn't do that.
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Re: Sweat band care
Did I say the hat would be distressed? I mean whoever did the washing would!
Randy
Randy
Re: Sweat band care
I hand washed it in normal detergent. The issue with the wool isn't so much the detergent choice but the fact that the water causes the material to shrink mightily. I do own a hat jack but found that letting the hat dry on my head produced the better result.Michaelson wrote:No, I'm talking about HAND WASHING your cap in Woolite.
As for machine washing, I'd only do that with polyester or cheap cotton caps. Wool caps shouldn't go anywhere near a washing machine.
I tend to be about as conservative as one might be with a fedora, doing only light surface cleanings unless the hat is fully soiled.
- binkmeisterRick
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Re: Sweat band care
tym, were you hand washing the cap in cold or warm/hot water? That'll make a big difference!
Re: Sweat band care
Does anyone know what Major League teams do ?.Do they 'dry clean' or just replace them as they need it ?
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Re: Sweat band care
Replace.
My wifes family was involved with the operation of a farm team to the Atlanta Braves many years ago, and even they just use the hats until they fall apart, then toss them.
Regards! Michaelson
My wifes family was involved with the operation of a farm team to the Atlanta Braves many years ago, and even they just use the hats until they fall apart, then toss them.
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band care
Thanks, Michaelson! That's very useful info!
Shane
Shane
Re: Sweat band care
Excellent point. I was using cold/lukewarm, as I recall. The resulting fit is good, though I don't wear the cap much as it has historical significance. My current ballgame cap is my '07 Sox World Series on-field cap, which is all polyester and therefore able to withstand more abuse.binkmeisterRick wrote:tym, were you hand washing the cap in cold or warm/hot water? That'll make a big difference!
I realize that I've driven the topic a bit OT, but I think in this case it's useful to extend the discussion to general hat care, as a lot of the concerns are common to various styles of headwear.
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
No problem! As a matter of fact, I changed the subject title a bit so if anyone else want to add any hat cleaning/care tips, please feel free to do so in this stickied thread.
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Thanks!
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
What would one recommend for just general protection of the sweatband? And shoudl i apply the product to the back side of the sweat or just the front?
Thanx!!!
Charlie
Thanx!!!
Charlie
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
As I am a heavy sweater and wear my fedora year round I will give the alcohol a try. I usually take Oaks approach and wipe the band down at the end of the day.
Beaverlid
Beaverlid
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Instead of posting another topic, I thought I'd just post here... it is titled "general hat care."
How do you guys get rid of sweat stains on the ribbon? My Fed has a couple of white spots. I tried rubbing it out with water, but it still keeps coming back. Will rubbing alcohol work on these kinds of stains?
How do you guys get rid of sweat stains on the ribbon? My Fed has a couple of white spots. I tried rubbing it out with water, but it still keeps coming back. Will rubbing alcohol work on these kinds of stains?
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
I have discovered that a little neutral moisturiser cleans off the sweat and dirt without drying the leather.
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Brilliant! Makes perfect sense too!
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Has anyone used Bickmore leather conditioner on their sweatbands? My local grocery store sells this product and I was wondering if it would be a decent alternative to Pecards.
It's the first product on the page: http://www.bickmore.com/products.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
It's the first product on the page: http://www.bickmore.com/products.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Not sure, as I've never heard of the product.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for substitutes to what has been suggested is to make sure what ever you use OTHER than Pecards is also pH balanced. You don't want to put something on a leather sweatband that you find out the hard way is a skin irritant and causes an allergic reaction when worn against your forehead.
Do your homework first before proceeding with the unknown here. This isn't a jacket restoration product we're talking about, but something you'll actually have in direct contact with your skin, so use a product that is pH balanced and says so in their product description.
Regards! Michaelson
One thing to keep in mind when looking for substitutes to what has been suggested is to make sure what ever you use OTHER than Pecards is also pH balanced. You don't want to put something on a leather sweatband that you find out the hard way is a skin irritant and causes an allergic reaction when worn against your forehead.
Do your homework first before proceeding with the unknown here. This isn't a jacket restoration product we're talking about, but something you'll actually have in direct contact with your skin, so use a product that is pH balanced and says so in their product description.
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Thanks for the advice, Michaelson. I think I'll just go with Pecards. It's better to be safe than sorry
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Understood. Still, don't count out other products without doing a little research. It may still be a product that meets the same criteria as Pecards in the manner we're discussing, and is right at your door.
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Just checked out the Pecard site. I'm overwhelmed with the variety of products. I have two hats, a 4 yr old Adventurbilt and a 73 yr old Dobbs which has a thin, but still supple sweat band. Which would work for these?
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
I'm partial to the 'leather creme', though it's really a jell. Less bees wax and therefore less tacky as it soaks in.
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Michaelson wrote:I'm partial to the 'leather creme', though it's really a jell. Less bees wax and therefore less tacky as it soaks in.
Regards! Michaelson
You forgot the words "awesome" and "dy-no-mite" because that's what it is. Im now a disciple of Pecard's.
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Well, I don't want to OVER sell my opinion.
Regards! Michaelson
Regards! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
I have an old "Indiana Jones" wool fedora that I bought in 1989 from JC Penny that I'd like to fix up for my 6 year-old. It's seen better days, but the main problem is the sweatband, which is bone dry and starting to crack and tear. Is there any hope for rejuvenating the sweatband or would I be better off trying to cannibalize an old hat and sew in a better one? Thoughts? Opinions? Recommendations?
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
If it's cracked and torn, I'd say no. You'll need to install or have installed a new band.
Regard! Michaelson
Regard! Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Yep, gotta agree with M. I had the same issue with a vintage campaign hat I bought. The sweat was really dry and starting to crack. I hit it with Pecards and that helped extend the life, but eventually had to have the sweat replaced.
Regards,
Indiana Jeff
Regards,
Indiana Jeff
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Since it's for your 6 year old, you might want to consider replacing it with a cloth sweat band.
Leather gets pretty warm and can cause the skin to break out due to the heat when worn on a young person's head.
Just a thought....
Regards! M
Leather gets pretty warm and can cause the skin to break out due to the heat when worn on a young person's head.
Just a thought....
Regards! M
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Thanks guys. That's good advice. I'll try to find a sturdy cloth band.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
It's been years since I last went on. Hello, guys!
My FedIV's sweatband has shrunk. It's now all wonky... and I do mean wonky!
Will conditioning it and stretching it still work or should I just remove the whole thing?
My FedIV's sweatband has shrunk. It's now all wonky... and I do mean wonky!
Will conditioning it and stretching it still work or should I just remove the whole thing?
- Michaelson
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Howdy! Good to 'see' you!
Sounds like it needs replacing to me.
Regard! Michaelson
Sounds like it needs replacing to me.
Regard! Michaelson
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
I managed to stretch it a bit again by putting some conditioner and stretching it over my block with a thick piece of leather in between the hat and block. It wasn't much but it did get the "wonkiness" out of it.
There's already a hole in front because of the pinch - which I plan on repairing by scraping some fur off from the inside and "re-felting" the collected fur to cover the hole. Hope it works.
I'm just restoring the hat to make into a display for my office desk.
There's already a hole in front because of the pinch - which I plan on repairing by scraping some fur off from the inside and "re-felting" the collected fur to cover the hole. Hope it works.
I'm just restoring the hat to make into a display for my office desk.
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Re: Sweat band/general hat care
From the sound of it, that's all I'D use it for now. It's beyond wear ability, unless you're going for the 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre' Bogart look.
Regard! M
Regard! M
Re: Sweat band/general hat care
Well, I sort of managed to repair the hole. But as far stretching it back to my size, that was a fail - it still wouldn't fit me. I think it's now 1 or 2 sizes smaller.
The hat sorta resembled the screen-used ROTLA hat already because of the faded ribbon and felt color, relaxed brim break and "muffin-topping". So I had to massage the hat back into a better looking shape.
Couldn't get the Raiders bash as I was afraid it might undo the hole repair I had done. I just sort of went for a general Indy hat bash.
The hat in the background is just a straw cowboy hat my GF got as a present. I'm currently stretching it cuz the hat's a bit tight around her temples.
The hat sorta resembled the screen-used ROTLA hat already because of the faded ribbon and felt color, relaxed brim break and "muffin-topping". So I had to massage the hat back into a better looking shape.
Couldn't get the Raiders bash as I was afraid it might undo the hole repair I had done. I just sort of went for a general Indy hat bash.
The hat in the background is just a straw cowboy hat my GF got as a present. I'm currently stretching it cuz the hat's a bit tight around her temples.