Moths and other hat hazards

[WyoWilliam]

I recently bought a hat with a moth hole in it, and was wondering if anybody else had experience repairing them and what they do.
For me, using an Exacto knife, I was able to cut out a small plug from under the sweatband, and with a little white glue, glued it into the hole. Then, using a needle,
I pulled the fibers from the plug out and from the hole in. It turned out pretty well, I thought, and being under the hat brim will hopefully not be affected much by the weather.

Also, I found these videos on youtube and was wondering if anyone had experience with the "Scout" hat-cleaner and the methods mentioned in the vid?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAUGq_2fYF4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz_pxq9btZ8

[fenris]

Hmmmmm... The scout cleaner is just like the scotchgard cleaner.

I actually used the scotchgard cleaner on my hat once but instead of a sponge, I used a brush. It did get the hat to smell brand new.

[Michaelson]

You might also find this old thread of interest:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43380&hilit=moths

Regards! Michaelson

[Castor Dioscuri]

You might want to think about 'smoking' the hat, or keeping it in Eastern red cedar just in case there may be more moth eggs that could potentially cause more problems. Probably not necessary, but just food for thought.

Speaking of "other hat hazards", I have a question of my own (yes I know, I'm too lazy to make a new thread ).

Does anyone know if it would still be safe to store hats (stored in hat boxes) near a vent blowing hot air? I've been keeping my hats next to one, and am worried if this could cause them to shrink, but can't really tell as I've been growing out my hair, and they wouldn't fit me now anyway as a result. The hatboxes get a little warm, but the hats themselves don't feel hot, so I'm not sure if this is still safe...

[Michaelson]

I'd be more concerned about the leather sweatbands either shrinking or drying out myself.

Regards! Michaelson

[Castor Dioscuri]

Thanks Michaelson! Actually, that was one of my concerns... whether the heat would penetrate the box and affect the sweatband, but I guess I answered my own question by saying that the inside of the box felt fine!