How Do You Take Care of Your Hats?

[papi]

I’m curious how everyone here takes care of their fedoras, especially hats that get regular wear. Do you have any particular routine for brushing, cleaning, or storing them? I’ve seen people recommend hat boxes, hat stands, and even simple shelf storage, but I’d like to hear what has actually worked well for you. Also, how often do you clean or reshape a hat? Always interested in learning a few good maintenance tips from people who have been wearing fedoras for years.

 

[Edward]

I tend to leave mine alone, shape-wise, once I'm happy with them that way. Storage, I try to keep all my felts in a sealed container to avoid mothing (I wish I could just leave them on display...). Otherwise, no brushing routine or anything, just a spot clean as and when any should need it.

 

[belfastboy]

I’m curious how everyone here takes care of their fedoras, especially hats that get regular wear. Do you have any particular routine for brushing, cleaning, or storing them? I’ve seen people recommend hat boxes, hat stands, and even simple shelf storage, but I’d like to hear what has actually worked well for you. Also, how often do you clean or reshape a hat? Always interested in learning a few good maintenance tips from people who have been wearing fedoras for years.

I have over 100 hats (fedoras & westerns). I keep all of them in boxes with tight lids. They do get wet from time to time but not often. If it is raining and I am planning on being out and about I will wear an older hat that I don't care so much about. If I do get a good one wet, I just make sure to leave it in an open space to dry.
I would leave more hats out and accessible but my home has forced air heating and the hats act as dust magnets. Any dust accumulation a quick brush with a good dedicated hat brush cleans it up quickly.
If a hat gets scrunched or the brim bent, a little steam will usually correct it.
If going to the theatre or a restaurant I carry a silk sack. If there is no place to store it while there I place the hat in the sack and store under the seat. Silk is light weight and folds into a small square that fits into my pocket easily.

 

[jeffgarf]

I have over 100 hats (fedoras & westerns). I keep all of them in boxes with tight lids. They do get wet from time to time but not often. If it is raining and I am planning on being out and about I will wear an older hat that I don't care so much about. If I do get a good one wet, I just make sure to leave it in an open space to dry.
I would leave more hats out and accessible but my home has forced air heating and the hats act as dust magnets. Any dust accumulation a quick brush with a good dedicated hat brush cleans it up quickly.
If a hat gets scrunched or the brim bent, a little steam will usually correct it.
If going to the theatre or a restaurant I carry a silk sack. If there is no place to store it while there I place the hat in the sack and store under the seat. Silk is light weight and folds into a small square that fits into my pocket easily.

I live in fairly temperate areas without moths as an issue. I have hundreds of hats stored both, as others do, in airtight boxes, but I also have some stacked (using clear hat protectors) on a shelf, in fabric multi-hat hat boxes, as well as hat stands and braided wall hangings.
I have a brush and steam at the ready, if needed.
A final point, I do also sell (on eBay and other sites )travel hat carriers that are great for storing one or two fedora hats at a time.

 

[Edward]

I have over 100 hats (fedoras & westerns). I keep all of them in boxes with tight lids. They do get wet from time to time but not often. If it is raining and I am planning on being out and about I will wear an older hat that I don't care so much about. If I do get a good one wet, I just make sure to leave it in an open space to dry.
I would leave more hats out and accessible but my home has forced air heating and the hats act as dust magnets. Any dust accumulation a quick brush with a good dedicated hat brush cleans it up quickly.
If a hat gets scrunched or the brim bent, a little steam will usually correct it.
If going to the theatre or a restaurant I carry a silk sack. If there is no place to store it while there I place the hat in the sack and store under the seat. Silk is light weight and folds into a small square that fits into my pocket easily.

That silk-sack is a great idea. Where did you fall in with it? Be interested to see a picture. A very practical solution; not many places I frequent with any regularity have a hat stand or a coat-check these days.

 

[belfastboy]

That silk-sack is a great idea. Where did you fall in with it? Be interested to see a picture. A very practical solution; not many places I frequent with any regularity have a hat stand or a coat-check these days.

I will dig it out from my car later today and snap a pic. It is just a loose sack my wife stitched up with a simple velcro closure.

 

[belfastboy]

I live in fairly temperate areas without moths as an issue. I have hundreds of hats stored both, as others do, in airtight boxes, but I also have some stacked (using clear hat protectors) on a shelf, in fabric multi-hat hat boxes, as well as hat stands and braided wall hangings.
I have a brush and steam at the ready, if needed.
A final point, I do also sell (on eBay and other sites )travel hat carriers that are great for storing one or two fedora hats at a time.

I have two of Jeff's hat carriers. They make great storage boxes but are even better as hat carriers. They hold two hats, mine and my wife's and I take it as my 'personal' piece of luggage separate from my carry on luggage. or even when travelling by car....it protects them from shifting luggage and getting scrunched.

 

[Edward]

I will dig it out from my car later today and snap a pic. It is just a loose sack my wife stitched up with a simple velcro closure.

Thanks, sounds great.

I have two of Jeff's hat carriers. They make great storage boxes but are even better as hat carriers. They hold two hats, mine and my wife's and I take it as my 'personal' piece of luggage separate from my carry on luggage. or even when travelling by car....it protects them from shifting luggage and getting scrunched.

I have one as well. Superb thing. Particularly useful in a suitcase, as it takes up much less space than a more traditional hatbox. I would eventually like to have a couple more, though the significant rise in postage costs from US to UK has made that impractical for now.