De-odorize a wool-lined waxed-canvas cap?
March 2, 2018 5:13 PM   Subscribe

I have a very nice ballcap from L.L. Bean that's waxed-canvas lined with wool. It's dry, warm and comfy in the worst of weather and the ideal winter companion. I shampoo/condition every other day, shower daily, and my hair does not smell of much of anything normally. My hat, since I got it at Christmas, has begun to stink, especially on non-shampoo days. Just a wave of funk even when I just lift it up a bit. This is not something I've experienced with my other caps (tho admittedly I didn't wear those as often as this one) How do I de-odorize it without destroying it?
posted by Slap*Happy to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
Baking soda comes to mind. Anything along that line. Do you have any cleaning instructions for the cap?
posted by Fukiyama at 5:59 PM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]


Spritz it with vodka and let it dry. Repeat as necessary.
posted by cocoagirl at 6:03 PM on March 2, 2018 [3 favorites]


Put it in a zipper baggie and in the freezer, maybe. Or leave it in a freezing car for a few days - that worked for my stinky running hat.
posted by miratime at 6:10 PM on March 2, 2018


Put it in the freezer overnight. It works alright, but in my experience you have to put it in the freezer every night to really work.
posted by tapir-whorf at 6:11 PM on March 2, 2018


It's probably getting damp from your head-sweat, and then the wax is keeping the moisture in, where it moulders. Vodka to kill bacteria, and then baking soda to dry it out, may help... but if you plan to keep wearing it every day, it'll just keep happening. Maybe consider getting a second hat and alternating days, so the interior has time to dry between wears.

Also, scrub behind & around your ears with a washcloth and soap, and dry throughly. Sometimes it smells back there, and hats can pick that smell ip.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 10:31 PM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]


Crystal cat litter is like pieces of silica gel and some scented deodorizing stuff. Get a sock or a knee-high stocking and fill it with the cat litter crystals then tie it off. Toss this inside your hat at night.
posted by irisclara at 10:36 PM on March 2, 2018 [1 favorite]


Came in to say regularly spritz it with vodka. I add a few drops of orange essential oil to my spritz vodka. It will work wonders without damaging the fabric.
posted by jbenben at 10:43 PM on March 2, 2018 [2 favorites]


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