There is an old legend that says tossing your hat on your bed brings bad luck. Folk tales aside, storing your hat properly, and not just throwing it on your bed, can keep it in great condition for a long time. In this guide, we’ll offer a few dos and don’ts for hat storage.

How Should You Store Your Hat?

Baseball hats, trucker hats, and dad caps all get thrown around. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, that’s pretty normal. But keeping your hats in proper condition can prevent you from buying a new one any time soon, which makes your wallet and the earth happier.

How to Store Hats in Hat Boxes

Hat boxes are a classic means of keeping your hat in its best possible condition. If you live in an area where moths or rodents can eat your hat, a hat box is a great option, especially if you have the shelf space.

Hats Storage in Closets

When storing your hat in a closet, use mothballs or another less toxic solution to keep any mice away. If possible, store your hat in the box you got when you purchased it. The best possible closet is cedar as it reduces moisture and extends the life of your hat.

How to Store Hats on Hooks

The most common hat storage solution is a wall hook or set of hooks. Vertical hooks, a row of three or four horizontal, or a lone hook—all work well. For an everyday hat, this is the way to go. Store your hat near a door to grab on the way out. For several hats, a vertical display is a space saver and works great for trucker hats and smaller caps.

The Don’ts of Hat Storage

No hat, whether ball cap or cowboy hat, should be left in a car. Sunlight, heat and moisture all can damage your hat. Do not store your hat in direct sunlight as it will break down fibers and discolor it. Never store your hat without occasionally laundering it and letting it air dry.

Sweat will also damage a hat. This is especially true of “work hats” like cowboy hats and trucker caps that get more of a workout.

Also avoid storing hats you wear infrequently anywhere that can become dusty. For these hats, a hat box is the best bet. Even a closet is often less dusty than large, open rooms.