Leather Hat - Cleaning and Maintenance

"Hello,

"I was given a kangaroo leather hat, as I'm a fan of the Camino de Santiago, and it got very wet leaving marks. So I washed the hat and don't know how to maintain it. Can you help me?"

We are following up on your message regarding the maintenance of a kangaroo leather hat.

Tips for cleaning leather hats

- Leather hats should be periodically treated with a leather cream. Once conditioned, your hat is ready to be worn in all seasons.

- Avoid any contact with your wet hat and let it dry away from any heat source.

- Also avoid placing it in direct sunlight for long periods, as such exposure can shrink the hat by one size.

- It is recommended to use a maintenance spray and not water to clean the leather.

- We also recommend cleaning the inner grosgrain with cold water and ammonia, to prevent sweat from later seeping into the leather.

How to remove a grease stain from a leather hat?

When you stain your leather hat with grease, it's important to clean it quickly so that it doesn't have time to penetrate deep into the material's fibers. If the stain is recent, you can sprinkle talcum powder or Fuller's earth on your hat to absorb the grease. After a few hours, gently rub the leather with a soft brush to remove the powder. This way, you perform a simple and effective hat maintenance for an impeccable headwear that you can proudly wear again.

In case of an old grease stain that you couldn't treat in time, simply heat the leather of your hat with a hairdryer and follow the same procedure described above. The heat helps to dislodge the grease, which can then be absorbed by your powder. This simple technique allows you to revive a leather hat that you no longer dared to wear.

How to oil a leather hat?

While it's possible to oil your hat to nourish the material and restore its original shine, improper handling or excessive oiling can harm the aesthetics of your headwear. For simple and quick maintenance, it's therefore advisable to use a dedicated spray. These formulas, suitable for leather, suede, and nubuck, also leave a waterproof layer on your leather hat for optimal protection.

Using a nourishing milk or leather cream is also possible, but should be well-dosed to avoid over-greasing your hat. If you don't opt for a maintenance spray, then prefer this type of product for a milk-colored or beige Stetson for example, and oil for dark brown hats. This maintenance should be repeated at least once a year to preserve your headwear for the long term.

Chapellerie Traclet: An expert ally for the care of your hats

The passionate team at Chapellerie Traclet puts its expertise of over twenty years at the service of your hats. Whether it's offering you trendy, quality models or assisting you with appropriate and effective maintenance, you benefit from a reference site in the field of millinery. In just a few clicks, you can access detailed blog articles, a catalog of various hats, as well as essential accessories for the proper preservation of your headwear. Don't hesitate any longer and let Chapellerie Traclet guide you towards impeccable fashion accessories throughout the year!