Keep it Clean

On buying merch and how to wash your hats.

Perhaps I shouldn’t admit that I’ve never washed my golf clubs, though I have frequently washed my hats. That’s definitely saying something about my priorities and potential OCD tendencies. Maybe I just value a clean hat over a clean strike of the ball?

We all know the certain thrill that comes over you in a club pro shop — a youthful exuberance for logo’d merch. I’ve admitedly had my ups and downs with all of this swag and over time the acquisitions have become more focused. These days I only focus on books, drinkware and perhaps a golf glove with logo. In the past I bought a lot of hats — and almost always a white hat. I’ve found that the white hat is the most versatile and the easiest to clean. I’ve become a bit obsessive about how I keep all of my hats clean. The process works for white hats, for cotton or polyester or for any other color hat you may have. (It also works for sneakers and other things.) Here’s my step-by-step guide to keeping things clean.

How to Wash Hats

Step 1

Add 2-3 gallons of warm water to a large bucket or utility sink.

Step 2

With a ruler or large perforated basting-spoon mix a few tablespoons of Oxiclean (or any other oxygenated bleach; don’t use Clorox bleach) and mix it in to the water until dissolved.

Step 3

Add hats (be sure to separate by whites and colors like you would for your regular laundry) and fully submerge.

Step 4

Soak for 12-24 hours. Stir occasionally.

Step 5

Drain the water from the hats. Rinse with clean water

Step 6

Place the hats in the dishwasher. Run with or without soap on either rack. I usually use a quick or abbreviated cycle. Don’t wash with other dishes.

Step 7

After the cycle, place the hats on a drying rack outside to dry.

Step 8

Wear your clean hats. Repeat the process as necessary.