Outdoor adventurers (such as those in our Banner & Oak family) tend to dirty their hats faster than anyone else. Whether it be through simple day hikes on dusty alpine trails or longer excursions through the backcountry of the Sierra, hats can go from sleek to musty after very few trips.

Rather than letting dirt settle more permanently into your new, beloved hat, use the tips in this article to learn how to wash a hat with a hat cage. 

Learning how to wash a hat with a hat cage is easy—and don’t worry! Despite the amount of filth your hat has collected, it’s likely not dirty beyond return. 

How to Wash a Hat with a Hat Cage

Many hat cages are advertised as being for baseball cap-style hats—but they’ll work for your Banner & Oak trucker hats as well. 

There are a couple of popular ways to use hat cages. So read on, educate yourself on each option, and choose the one most fitting for your scenario. 

Dishwasher 

When wondering how to wash a hat with a hat cage, most people eventually turn to their dishwashers—and for good reason. 

The process of washing your hat with a hat rack in a dishwasher is easy. Simply place your hat in the hat cage (to do this, follow the instructions for whichever hat cage you have) and place your hat (now in the cage) on the top rack of your dishwasher. Placing it on the very top is key. You should NOT place it on any other lower levels of the dishwasher. 

Next, add normal dishwasher detergent, avoiding fancy lemon detergents that contain citric acid and other stuff that could potentially harm your hat. Wash the hat on a normal or light cycle. We recommend ensuring the hat is the only thing in the dishwasher. 

When finished, leave the hat in the hat cage to dry.

Washing Machine 

Though it’s less recommended than using a dishwasher, a washing machine may have to suffice. After all, not everyone has dishwashers in their homes. 

The challenge for this is ensuring you have the proper type of washing machine. A top-loading (non-tumble-type) washer machine is recommended to make this work. If you don’t have this type of washer machine, try asking a friend (perhaps they have a dishwasher, too!).

Place your hat in the cage. Place the cage (with the hat now inside) into the washer. Put a few clothing items inside with the hat (lightweight items only). Do not wash the hat with a full load of laundry. Pour over normal laundry detergent and wash on a gentle cycle. 

When finished, leave the hat in the hat cage to dry. Do NOT put the cage/hat in the dryer. 

Final Thoughts

If you landed here because you were wondering how to wash a hat with a hat cage, well, we hope to have enlightened you. It’s a pretty simple process, and a satisfying one to keep your hats clean after your outdoor adventures.

Enjoy your clean hat, and enjoy your arrival at the next trailhead!