Here's the secret — the washing method doesn't really matter. The trick to getting your hat to retain its shape is how you dry it. Don't use a machine dryer. Instead, remove as much water from the walls of your hat as possible by gently squeezing them. Removing excess water is an important step for hand-washed hats. A cap that was lightly spun in the washing machine will be pretty dry, as will one you spot-cleaned.
Next, you're going to air dry your hat so, hopefully, you've allowed yourself plenty of time. The brim of your hat shouldn't have suffered any folding. But you may notice some wrinkling or bending to the crown of your hat, which requires reshaping. While you could set your hat in a sunny location or hang it on a clothesline, using the towel trick can elicit better results. Ball up a hand towel and stuff it inside the hat's crown. This will help keep the crown supported and in the shape of your head and prevent any puckering or wrinkles.
You may want to remove the towel as the hat begins to dry to allow better air circulation, however. Drying your baseball cap should take around three to four hours. Remember, drying and reshaping post-wash is the key to keeping your hat looking and feeling great. Now that you know the secret, go gather up your long overdue baseball caps for a thorough cleaning!
