In this guide
- Hand wash in cool water. Never machine wash or tumble dry.
- Pre-treat the sweatband with a baking soda paste.
- Air dry in shade with a towel inside to hold the shape.
Every cap that gets worn properly ends up with the same problems: a dark line around the sweatband, white salt marks in summer, and a smell that shows up faster in Indian humidity than anywhere else. The good news is that most of it comes out with things you already have at home.
The bad news: the fastest methods, like the washing machine and the dryer, are also the fastest way to wreck a cap's shape. Here's how to do it properly.
Before you start: two quick checks
- Read the care label. It'll tell you if there's anything your cap can't take.
- Do a spot test. Dab a little soapy water on a hidden spot inside the cap and press a white cloth on it. If colour transfers, clean with plain water only and be gentle.
What you'll need
- Mild liquid detergent (no bleach)
- Baking soda
- A soft toothbrush
- A bucket or basin of cool to lukewarm water
- A clean towel
How to wash a cap by hand: step by step
Step 1: Pre-treat the sweatband
The sweatband holds the most sweat, oil and salt, and it's usually where stains set. Mix baking soda with a little water into a thick paste, work it into the sweatband with the toothbrush in small circles, and leave it for 15 to 30 minutes.
Step 2: Soak
Add a small amount of mild detergent to cool or lukewarm water and swirl it around. Put the cap in and let it soak for 15 to 30 minutes. For heavy build-up, you can leave it longer, moving the water around now and then. Avoid hot water. It can shrink fabric, fade colour and warp the brim.
Step 3: Scrub gently
Go over the sweatband, the underside of the brim and any marks on the crown with the toothbrush. Be gentle around embroidery, prints and reflective details.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly
Rinse in clean, cool water until no suds come out. Leftover detergent attracts dirt and can leave the cap stiff.
Step 5: Don't wring it
Twisting a cap like a T-shirt bends the brim and creases the crown. Instead, press it gently between a folded towel to get excess water out.
Step 6: Reshape and air dry
Stuff the crown with a rolled-up towel so it holds its shape, straighten the brim, and leave it to dry in a shaded, airy spot. Give it a full 24 hours. Direct sun fades colour and a dryer can shrink or warp it.
What not to do
- Don't machine wash. The drum bends brims and crushes structured crowns.
- Don't tumble dry or dry it on a heater.
- Don't use bleach, especially on coloured caps.
- Don't iron prints, reflectives or patches.
- Don't store it damp. In monsoon, a cap put away wet can grow mildew in days.
Care by cap type
| Cap type | Examples | Care tip |
|---|---|---|
| Technical and performance fabric | Pace, Sprint, Power Play // 002 | Dries fast, so it's the easiest to clean often. Go gentle on reflective piping and prints. |
| Polyester ripstop | Never Stop Playin' // 002 | Tough fabric. Focus your effort on the sweatband and mesh panels. |
| Cotton | Court Side | Holds stains more than synthetics. Pre-treat the sweatband every wash and dry fully to avoid mildew. |
| Textured weaves (tweed-effect, plaid) | Double Eagle, Baddie Caddie | Spot clean the outside rather than scrubbing hard. Soak and scrub the sweatband. |
| White caps | 19th Hole | Wash more often before marks set. Keep it away from coloured items while soaking. |
How to get rid of cap smell
Odour comes from sweat and bacteria in the sweatband. An antibacterial Dri-FIT sweatband, which you'll find across our sports caps, slows it down, but it won't stop it forever. Rinse the sweatband with cool water after a hard session and let the cap dry fully before it goes back in your bag. A baking soda pre-treat during your next wash deals with the rest.
How often should you wash a cap?
- Training caps: rinse the sweatband after heavy sessions, full hand wash every couple of weeks.
- Everyday caps: every few weeks, or when you see a sweat line.
- In monsoon: more often, and always dry fully before storing.
Cap washing FAQs
Can I put my cap in the washing machine?
We don't recommend it. Even on a gentle cycle, machines can bend the brim and distort the crown. Hand washing takes ten minutes and keeps the shape.
How do I get sweat stains out of a cap?
Pre-treat the stain with baking soda paste for 15 to 30 minutes, then soak in cool water with mild detergent and scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
How long does a cap take to dry?
Around 24 hours in shade, less for technical fabrics and longer for cotton or in humid weather.
How do I keep my cap's shape while it dries?
Stuff the crown with a rolled towel and leave the brim flat or in its natural curve. Never dry it squashed.
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