While most of the time we use our dishwashers for cleaning the dishes, it turns out there are some interesting things you can throw in to make cleaning and laundry a bit easier. Among them are hats. Learn how to wash a hat in the dishwasher to keep it looking as good as new and to keep it safe from the damage from friction and wear associated with cleaning it in a traditional washing machine.
While there are several things you shouldn’t put in a dishwasher, it turns out your hats are not one of them. In fact, your dishwasher could be the best way to kill bacteria and remove bad smells without having to hand scrub. Here, cleaning experts explain how to wash hats in the dishwasher to refresh your hardware without misshaping it.
Why Use a Dishwasher Instead of a Washing Machine?
Before diving into the how-to, let’s address the elephant in the room: why would anyone put a hat in a dishwasher? The answer lies in understanding what happens to hats in traditional washing machines.
Washing machines are brutal on structured items like hats. The aggressive agitation can crush the crown, bend the brim out of shape, and cause fabric to pill or tear. The spinning cycle is particularly harsh, often leaving your once-perfect cap looking like it went through a blender.
Dishwashers, on the other hand, use a gentler approach. They rely on controlled water pressure and temperature rather than violent spinning and agitation. The result? Your hat gets clean while maintaining its shape and structure.
How to Wash Hats in the Dishwasher: Hat Cleaning Hacks
Critical Warning: Not All Hats Are Dishwasher-Safe
Before you start loading up your dishwasher with every hat in your closet, pump the brakes. Some materials and construction methods simply cannot withstand even the gentle environment of a dishwasher.
Never put these hats in the dishwasher:
- Wool hats – Will shrink and felt beyond recognition
- Leather or suede caps – Water will ruin the texture and cause cracking
- Vintage or expensive hats – The risk isn’t worth the convenience
- Hats with cardboard brims – Will dissolve or warp irreparably
- Decorated caps with glued-on elements – Embellishments will fall off
- Structured dress hats (fedoras, trilbies) – Will lose their defined shape
- Silk or delicate fabric hats – Too fragile for any machine washing
Perfect candidates for dishwasher washing:
- Cotton baseball caps
- Polyester sports caps
- Canvas bucket hats
- Nylon running caps
- Simple trucker hats with mesh backs
When in doubt, check the care label. If it says “hand wash only” or has specific material warnings, stick to hand washing.
The Foolproof 6-Step Method
Now that you’ve confirmed your hat is dishwasher-safe, here’s the exact process that will get your cap clean without damage.
Step 1: Pre-treat Stubborn Stains
Don’t just throw a dirty hat in the dishwasher and hope for the best. Tough stains need attention before the wash cycle begins.
For sweat stains on the headband, make a paste using equal parts baking soda and water. Gently rub this into the stained areas with an old toothbrush, working in circular motions. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to break down the buildup.
For oil-based stains or makeup marks, dab a small amount of dish soap directly onto the spot. Don’t use laundry detergent here—dish soap is specifically designed to cut through grease and oils.
Step 2: Empty Your Dishwasher Completely
This step is non-negotiable. Running your hat alongside dirty dishes is asking for trouble. Food particles, grease, and bacteria from plates and utensils can transfer to your hat, leaving you with a cap that smells worse than when you started.
Take the extra five minutes to unload your dishwasher completely. Your hat deserves its own spa day.
Step 3: Secure the Hat on the Top Rack Only
Placement is everything in dishwasher hat washing. The top rack is your friend—it’s farther from the heating element and receives gentler water pressure than the aggressive jets on the bottom rack.
Here’s the key technique most people miss: don’t just plop your hat anywhere on the top rack. Position it so the opening faces down at a slight angle. This prevents water from pooling inside the crown while still allowing proper cleaning.
If your hat has an adjustable strap in the back, use it to your advantage. Loop it around one of the dishwasher rack’s tines to keep the hat securely in place during the wash cycle.
For extra shape protection, consider investing in a hat cage or form. These plastic frameworks slip inside your hat and maintain its structure throughout the wash. You can find them online for under $10, and they’re worth every penny if you wash hats regularly.
Step 4: Choose the Right Detergent (This Matters More Than You Think)
Here’s where many people go wrong: they assume any soap will do. Wrong.
Use regular dishwasher detergent, not laundry detergent. Dishwashers are calibrated for specific types of cleaning agents, and using the wrong soap can create excessive suds that damage both your dishwasher and your hat.
However—and this is crucial—avoid detergents containing bleach or harsh brighteners. These chemicals can cause color fading or leave white spots on dark hats. Read the ingredient list carefully, or stick with eco-friendly, bleach-free options.
Some hat-washing enthusiasts swear by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar to the rinse aid compartment. The vinegar helps eliminate odors and prevents soap residue buildup without damaging the fabric.
Step 5: Select the Gentlest Cycle Available
This is where you separate the hat-washing pros from the amateurs. Your dishwasher’s normal cycle is still too harsh for most hats.
- Look for cycles labeled:
- Eco or Energy Saver
- China/Crystal
- Delicate
- Light wash
- Quick wash (if it uses lower temperatures)
These cycles use cooler water (usually around 120°F instead of 140°F+) and gentler water pressure. The slightly longer cycle time is worth the extra protection for your hat.
Critical setting: Turn off the heated dry option. The high heat used in automatic drying cycles can shrink fabric, warp plastic components, and fade colors. You want your dishwasher to clean, not cook your hat.
Step 6: Air Dry Properly (Don’t Rush This Step)
Once the cycle finishes, resist the urge to immediately grab your hat and wear it. Proper drying is crucial for maintaining shape and preventing mildew.
Remove the hat while it’s still damp (not soaking wet, but not completely dry). Find a clean, upturned bowl that’s roughly the same size as your head. Place the hat over this bowl-turned-hat-form and position it in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight.
Room temperature air circulation is your goal here. A fan can speed the process without causing damage, but avoid heat sources like radiators, hair dryers, or direct sunlight, which can cause uneven shrinking and color fading.
The drying process typically takes 4-6 hours, depending on the hat’s material and your home’s humidity level. Don’t rush it—patience here prevents permanent damage.
Advanced Tips That Make the Difference
The Multi-Hat Strategy
If you have several hats to clean, you can wash multiple caps in one cycle. Space them evenly across the top rack with at least two inches between each hat. This prevents them from knocking into each other and ensures proper water circulation.
Dealing with Persistent Odors
Sometimes, regular washing isn’t enough to eliminate strong odors, especially from workout caps or hats worn in extreme conditions. Before washing, sprinkle the inside of the hat with baking soda and let it sit overnight. The baking soda will absorb odors before the wash cycle begins.
The Vinegar Rinse Trick
For hats with particularly stubborn sweat stains or soap buildup, add a cup of white vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher tub (not the detergent compartment) before starting the cycle. The vinegar will help break down mineral deposits and soap residue without damaging the fabric.
Protecting Embroidered Details
If your hat has embroidered logos or text, turn it inside out before placing it in the dishwasher. This protects the raised threads from getting caught on dishwasher components and prevents the embroidery from becoming fuzzy or distorted.
Common Mistakes That Ruin Hats
Learning from others’ mistakes is cheaper than replacing ruined hats. Here are the most common errors people make:
Using hot water cycles: Heat is fabric’s enemy. Even if your hat seems sturdy, hot water can cause shrinkage, color bleeding, and shape distortion.
Overcrowding the dishwasher: Cramming multiple hats together prevents proper water circulation and increases the chance of damage from hats bumping into each other.
Using the wrong rack: The bottom rack’s intense water pressure and proximity to the heating element can damage even the sturdiest caps.
Forgetting about the drying: Leaving a wet hat crumpled in the dishwasher overnight is a recipe for mildew and permanent wrinkles.
Using fabric softener: Never add fabric softener to a dishwasher cycle. It can leave residue that attracts dirt and affects the hat’s breathability.
When Dishwasher Washing Isn’t Enough
Sometimes your hat needs more intensive care than a dishwasher can provide. If you’re dealing with:
- Set-in grease stains
- Paint or ink marks
- Mold or mildew growth
- Structural damage to the brim or crown
Consider professional cleaning or targeted spot treatment before attempting dishwasher washing. These issues often require specialized treatment that a dishwasher cycle can’t provide.
Maintaining Your Clean Hat
Once you’ve successfully cleaned your hat, extend its life with proper maintenance:
- Rotate between multiple hats to reduce wear on any single cap
- Wipe down the sweatband after heavy use to prevent buildup
- Store hats on proper hat racks or forms to maintain shape
- Address stains immediately rather than letting them set
The Bottom Line
Washing hats in the dishwasher isn’t just a quirky internet hack—it’s a legitimate cleaning method that works when done correctly. The key is understanding which hats are suitable candidates, using the right techniques, and being patient with the process.
FAQ
How do you wash hats in the dishwasher without a frame?
Putting hats in the dishwasher isn’t a good idea because of the detergent. Automatic dishwashing detergent isn’t made for fabric’s of any kind. If no detergent is used it won’t come clean. Wash it by hand using laundry detergent. Use a brush to scrub with.
Will hat shrink in dishwasher?
But that is the problem… conventional washing just doesn’t work well for hats. Throwing them in the washing machine tends to make them lose their shape and often shrink. Putting them in the dishwasher also causes misshaping, but often times also leaves a film on the hat.
