Western Hat Care Quide

Proper care will greatly increase the life and enjoyment of your new hat.  This guide will cover Fit, Hat Care, Storage, Cleaning, Shaping and Hat Etiquette.  We will also talk about some of the hat care products we carry to help you get the most out of your new hat.

 

FIT

 

Generally your western hat should be worn ½” above your ears, however we believe that your hat should be worn how it feels best to you.

 

The hat should fit slightly snug all around your head but not so that it hurts or gives you a headache.

 

Hats that are too tight may be stretched up to the next size.  See the Master Hatters at Hawkeye & Western Wear to do this for you.  If you hat is tight a Hat Jack may be used

inside the band to help hold its size when not being worn.

 

If your hat is to loose we can put some foam tape under the sweat band to tighten up the fit and customize your hat to you.

 

Sometimes during the hotter months your hat may get tighter.  This is usually caused by removing your hat with a damp sweat band and allowing the leather sweat band to dry too rapidly.

 

Hats are available in Round Oval which are completely round and in Long Oval which is slightly longer on the sides.  Let us help you choose the one that fits you.

 

We can cut your brim down for you, but we prefer to do this in small steps.  Once the material is removed we can’t put it back on, so its best for you to see it after each cut and decide when it’s the size that you want.

 

 

HAT CARE

 

Only touch your hat with clean dry hands, so that you do not leave dirt or skin oils on your hat.

 

Only handle your hat by the brim, not the crown or pinch, these are easily crushed or misshapen.  To put on or adjust your hat hold the front and back of the brim just next to the crown with four fingers.

 

Do not place a hat down on its brim, it may flatten and loose its shape.  Place your hat upside down on its crown in a clean place.  Cowboys believed that this would catch all of the good luck.  Old cowboys also believed that you should never let the brim of your hat touch the bed by doing so brought lots of bad luck.

 

Never leave your hat is a hot car, trailer, show box, closet or anywhere that is exceptionally hot.  The heat may cause your hat to lose its shape or the sweat band could shrink and your hat may not fit properly.  Direct exposure to sunlight also may cause hats to fade and loose their color.

 

Use an inexpensive plastic rain protector for wet conditions to keep your hat dray and to keep it from loosing its shape.

 

Occasionally flip down the sweatband so it can dry and air out.  Be very careful in cleaning a sweatband, do not get the hat wet or it may stain.

 

A hat carrier is a great investment if you travel with your hat and are not wearing it.

 

STORAGE

 

Store your hat in a hat box or plastic hat carrier.  Wall mounted hat holders are also available at Hawkeye Tack & Western Wear.  We also have carriers to mount in your vehicle, to hold your hat while you’re driving.

 

Store you hat in a cool dark dry place.

 

Clean your hat before storing for long periods of time.

 

 

CLEANING

 

You can always bring your western hat to Hawkeye Tack & Western Wear to have one of our hat pros clean and shape it for you.  We can also advise you on most questions you have on your new hat.

 

Felt & Wool Hats

 

Always wash your hands before cleaning or handling a hat, especially if handling both light and dark colored hats.  Have a clean place to work on your hat.

 

Begin on the left side and brush or sponge the brim & crown counter-clockwise (as you hold your hat with the back facing the floor) with the direction of the fur nap.  This will help keep your hat dust free and looking good.

 

Brush clockwise on the underside of the brim.

 

Brush or sponge the crown from front to back.

 

Be careful as a small amount of fur will remain in the brush or sponge after each use.  You should have a different hat brush or sponge for each color of hat that you have to keep from transferring the different color furs from your other hats to the hat you are brushing.  This is especially important when cleaning a dark hat with a brush from a light hat or vice-versa.  To make it easier hat brushes are available with light colored bristles to use on lighter colored hats and black bristles to use on dark hats.  Sponges come in packages of two so you can use on different colors if you need to.

 

A vacuum with a brush attachment can be used to remove dust & dirt from your hat.

 

Cleaning powders are available to help remove light stains.  Sprinkle powder on spot and use a hat sponge in a circular pattern to gently rub the powder into the spot.  Do not rub so hard as to remove fur from the hat.  Brush powder off of hat when done.  Steam area to restore nap to the fur.

 

You can use a lint roller or some painters tape to remove stubborn lint.

 

If you get something sticky or dirty dripped or splashed on your hat or a soft drink or beer were sprayed on your hat, immediately run under a gentle stream of room temperature water and use the side end of your index finger to quickly but softly rub the stain area.  When you feel that the stain is washed out (this should take less than a minute depending on the depth of the stain) stop and let the hat dry naturally.  Remember you must try to remove these stain before they dry.

 

Do not use a hair dryer or other heat source to dry your hat as they may shrink the sweat band or cause the hat to loose its shape.

 

Some wool hats with very stubborn stain can be gently sanded with an emery board or piece of sandpaper.  Be careful because you can create a bald spot and ruin your hat.

 

Straw Hats

 

Straw hats require little care.  When dirty wash with a mixture of light soap and water, rinse good and dry with a towel let air dry.

 

Nustraw straw hat cleaner can be used on all colorfast straw hats, apply with a moist sponge, rub in a circular motion and dry with a clean damp cloth.

 

HAT SHAPING

 

You can bring your hat into us and have on of our Master Hatters shape your hat for you.

 

Fur Felt hats may be reshaped using steam from your teakettle.  Apply a light coat of steam to the part of your hat that you would like to reshape.  Do not soak the hat.  Then, with your hands form the portion of the hat to the shape that you want and hold until dry.  Repeat as needed.  Apply hat stiffener spray to restore body to the fur felt to help hold the shape.

 

Most straw hats have a wire in the brim edge, which allows you to shape the brim.

 

Palm leaf straw hats are shaped by getting them wet and shaping to the style that you want.  Allow to air dry naturally.

 

HAT SERVICES OFFERED AT HAWKEYE TACK & WESTERN WEAR

 

Cleaning

Shaping

Fitting – Stretching or installation of foam tape

Brim Cutting

Complete Line of Hat Care Products & Hat Bands

 

HAT ETTIQUETTE

 

Hats are to be removed for the National Anthem, The passing of the Flag and Funeral processions.

 

A gentleman should always tip his hat to a lady when greeting or passing her, its charming and mostly its an act of courtesy and respect.  He should replace his hat after passing or after the meet and start to walk or talk.

 

It is considered proper for a man to remove his hat on an elevator especially if a lady is present.

 

A gentleman should always take his hat off in a restaurant unless no arrangements are made for him to hang his hat or to have it checked.

 

It is considered inappropriate for men to wear a hat in a church unless they are participating in a wedding.

 

A removed hat should be held in hand in such a way that shows only the outside and the lining is never visible.

 

HAT CARE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE AT HAWKEYE TACK & WESTERN WEAR

 

 

Hat Brim Brush (M&F1042) Used to clean the brim and crown of your hat.  Available in black for use on dark hats and Grey for use on lighter colored hats.

 

Hat Crown Brush (M&F1044) Longer bristle brush especially for cleaning crowns and creases in hats.  Available in black for use on dark hats and Grey for use on lighter colored hats.

 

Hat Cleaning Sponges (M&F1032) A package of 2 sponges to clean your hat.  Use a separate sponge for each color of hat that you have.

 

Hat cleaning Sponge (M&F1014) A firmer sponge to help clean stained areas, works well with Scout Spot Remover, can also used by itself.

 

Scout Felt Hat Care Package for Dark Hats (M&F1049)  Kit includes Felt Hat Rain & Stain Protector, Felt Hat Cleaner for Dark Hats and a small brim brush.

 

Scout Felt Hat Care Package for Light Hats (M&F1048)  Kit includes Felt Hat Rain & Stain Protector, Felt Hat Cleaner for light colored Hats and a small brim brush.

 

Scout Felt Hat Cleaner for Dark Hats (M&F1047)  Removes most oil and water based stains.

 

Scout Felt Hat Cleaner for Light Hats (M&F1045)  Removes most oil and water based stains on lighter colored hats.

 

Scout Felt Hat Stiffener (M&F1037)  Restores life and stiffness to your hat.  Designed to add body for the shaping of your felt hat.

 

Scout Spot Remover for Hats (M&F1018)  Specially designed granules used to remove most stains, including finger prints, spotting rings and grease stains.

 

Nustraw Straw Hat Cleaner (M&F1050)  Straw Hat cleaner that is formulated to safely remove surface reside and grime from all colorfast straw hats. 

 

Hat Jacks (RHDHATJACK)  Protect your investment and never wear a pinching hat again.  Maintains your hat size by preventing shrinkage.  Small Size fits Child size up to 7 ¼, Medium fits size 7 1/8 thru 7 ½, Large fits 7 ½ and up.

 

Plastic Hat Rain Cover (M&F1080)  Protect your hat from rain and moistures with a plastic rain cover, has elastic band to hold it tight on your hat.

 

Hat Saver (M&F1030) The original, patented Hat Saver has a spring-loaded loop that absolutely will not let hard hats slip out. Mounts easily on the ceiling of your vehicle. Holds hard hats safely out of the way of the sun's harmful rays. Mounts easily whatever the angle of the headliner molding or mirror bracket.

 

Back Seat Hat Rack (M&F1062) Quick, easy, convenient vehicle hat rack.  Sticks to any glass surface.  Works in pickups, vans, cars, RVs and more.  The Quick Stick Hat Rack is extremely handy. It works in virtually any vehicle, removing quickly and easily so you can take it anywhere.

 

Cowboy Hat Rack (B&D51848WRS) Wall mounted hat rack that holds three western hats.

 

Hat Carriers Are available in single, double and triple to hold one to three hats.  A great way to protect your hat during travel and storage.  Protects you hats from damage and dirt.  Helps keep your hats shape.

 

Hat Boxes,  We sell extra hat boxes to store your hat in.