smelly cap, smelly cap

September 28, 2008 8:06 PM

The baseball cap I wear at the gym gets soaked in sweat. And now it smells like mildew. Help.

It wasn't too expensive, so worst case scenario I'll throw it in the wash with some white vinegar. But are there other, gentler options?

posted by roger ackroyd to Grab Bag (16 answers total)

Dishwasher.
posted by iamabot at 8:19 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

Try a spray bottle with vodka and water mixture (2/3 to 1/3).
posted by Toto_tot at 8:41 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

Periodically, I put my most-worn cap in the dishwasher. Top rack. It comes out clean, and then I put it in sunny (indoor) spot until it dried completely (a few hours) and then it's good to go and stinky.
posted by rtha at 9:01 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

Not stinky. NOT stinky. Sorry.
posted by rtha at 9:02 PM on September 28, 2008

Microwave it. I'm completely serious- dampen it thoroughly with water and nuke it for about a minute or two. Works all the time.
posted by suedehead at 9:19 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

(Should I NOT be throwing my running caps in with regular loads of laundry, as I have been doing for years? If so, why not?)
posted by iguanapolitico at 9:49 PM on September 28, 2008

Response by poster: I'm a little bit worried about the microwave because of the metal bits.

Dishwasher is genius.
posted by roger ackroyd at 9:50 PM on September 28, 2008

Response by poster: iguanapolitico, doesn't it run the brim?
posted by roger ackroyd at 9:51 PM on September 28, 2008

Laundry works, just don't put it in the dryer. I've been washing mine for years in the washing machine, with no problems. The brims still stay nice and strong. Easiest solution.
posted by wile e at 10:11 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

In my experience washing machines and dish washers kill hats by messing up the brim. I usually use woolite and soak them for a few hours before I gently hand wash them. It works for the hat I work out in.
posted by 517 at 10:36 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

I've had good luck in the washing machine with a wash of lightweight stuff like socks. Then hang the hat on a doorknob that gets good airflow.
posted by dws at 11:21 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

Best answer: A good quality cap, ALA NASCAR, with platic brim is easy the the machine. Just DO NOT DRY indryer, hang in the sun. I have several i bought 4 years ago as clearance and they have been washed about 20 times.
posted by raildr at 11:43 PM on September 28, 2008 [1 favorite]

soak it in a weak solution of nappysan
posted by mattoxic at 1:17 AM on September 29, 2008 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Dishwasher sounds pretty harsh to me. That detergent is not for cloth. If you're worried about vinegar, which seems fairly mild to me, I think a dishwasher would be worse.

If you don't want to put it in the wash with vinegar, why not just soak it for a bit and then rinse?
posted by Jupiter Jones at 8:20 AM on September 29, 2008 [1 favorite]

Nike Dri-Fit rules.
posted by muscat at 9:48 AM on September 29, 2008

Response by poster: UPDATE: cap soaked in Woolite overnight. Drying in the sun now.

@Jupiter Jones, vinegar isn't a problem. I was worried about the washing machine's agitation warping the brim. Pete, Bob and the stuttering parrot will razz me if my hat looks goofy.
posted by roger ackroyd at 11:10 AM on September 29, 2008