Reviving Your Cowboy Hat
Mar 04, 2024
Living the farm life can take a toll on your beloved hat. Exposure to heat and moisture often leads to droopy brims and annoying bumps in the material. But fear not, bringing your hat back to life is easier than you might imagine. Here’s a simple DIY method to restore your hat’s former glory right from the comfort of your home.
To start, gently remove any dust or dirt from your hat using a sponge or soft bristle brush. Begin with the crown and then move around the brim in a counterclockwise direction. For optimal results, spray the hat with a stiffening spray before applying steam to help it hold its shape.
Create your own makeshift steamer by covering a pot of water with aluminum foil and placing it on your stove. Cut a small slit in the foil to release steam, then bring the water to a boil. Now, you’re ready to begin reshaping your hat.
Hold the brim of your hat approximately six inches above the steam emerging from the foil slit. Work on one section at a time rather than trying to heat the entire hat simultaneously. As the brim absorbs the steam, it will soften, allowing you to mold it to your desired shape.
Reshape the sides of your hat by turning it on its side and pressing the brim against a flat surface, like your countertop. Use your hand to smooth out any wrinkles, then use your fingers to pinch a crease along the brim and/or sharpen the existing one. Start with a sharp crease near the front of the hat, gradually easing it as you move towards the back. Take your time with this step, ensuring the crease matches your preferences.
Check for symmetry by ensuring the brim is evenly raised on both sides. You can put a pin at the very front and center of the hat to visually gauge the symmetry.
Once the sides are even, place the hat on a flat surface and firmly press down on the back to flatten it and keep it from bowing. Repeat the process for the front to achieve a straight edge.
Allow your hat to dry upside down on its crown to prevent the sides from flattening prematurely due to gravity. Once completely dry, your hat will be ready to wear again, proudly displaying its newly restored shape.
Looking for the best hat tip of all? Head to your local Co-op for your hat care needs! Find the nearest Co-op location to you here!
For more content like this, check out the latest issue of The Cooperator.
To start, gently remove any dust or dirt from your hat using a sponge or soft bristle brush. Begin with the crown and then move around the brim in a counterclockwise direction. For optimal results, spray the hat with a stiffening spray before applying steam to help it hold its shape.
Create your own makeshift steamer by covering a pot of water with aluminum foil and placing it on your stove. Cut a small slit in the foil to release steam, then bring the water to a boil. Now, you’re ready to begin reshaping your hat.
Hold the brim of your hat approximately six inches above the steam emerging from the foil slit. Work on one section at a time rather than trying to heat the entire hat simultaneously. As the brim absorbs the steam, it will soften, allowing you to mold it to your desired shape.
Reshape the sides of your hat by turning it on its side and pressing the brim against a flat surface, like your countertop. Use your hand to smooth out any wrinkles, then use your fingers to pinch a crease along the brim and/or sharpen the existing one. Start with a sharp crease near the front of the hat, gradually easing it as you move towards the back. Take your time with this step, ensuring the crease matches your preferences.
Check for symmetry by ensuring the brim is evenly raised on both sides. You can put a pin at the very front and center of the hat to visually gauge the symmetry.
Once the sides are even, place the hat on a flat surface and firmly press down on the back to flatten it and keep it from bowing. Repeat the process for the front to achieve a straight edge.
Allow your hat to dry upside down on its crown to prevent the sides from flattening prematurely due to gravity. Once completely dry, your hat will be ready to wear again, proudly displaying its newly restored shape.
Looking for the best hat tip of all? Head to your local Co-op for your hat care needs! Find the nearest Co-op location to you here!
For more content like this, check out the latest issue of The Cooperator.