Panama Hat - Cleaning and Maintenance

Balsa Box for storing your folded Panama hat

A complete list of tips to best preserve and maintain your Panama hat.

Daily tips

- Never leave your hat in contact with rain or water. Indeed, toquilla straw is very absorbent and, once dry, stains can appear and the straw can weaken.

- Also avoid leaving it in the sun for too long (e.g., car rear shelf). Panama fibers need a bit of moisture to avoid becoming brittle. The best would be to use a cigar humidor to have a humid place.

- Above all, only roll the models designed to be folded and we advise you to do this only for transport. It is not recommended to have Panama hats rolled up for more than 48 consecutive hours, whether in suitcases, luggage, or small wooden boxes.

- Last but not least, handle your hat with care, without putting too much pressure especially on the top of the crown. Avoid PINCHING the top of the Panama hat when putting it on or taking it off. Learn the proper hat gesture, putting it on and taking it off by handling it by the brim. The areas of the hat you touch the most are also those that will weaken over time.

 
Natural Coiba Panama Hat - Traclet shop

Hat washing

- If the hat gets slightly stained or dirty, a good way to clean it is to use an eraser. Never with water or alcohol.

- For stronger stains, we recommend using baby wipes. Any inappropriate chemical product tends to damage the hat's fibers.

- Do not let sweat marks set in the straw, we advise you to clean it regularly with a white cotton cloth and mild soap or ammonia.

Reshaping your hat

If your Panama hat loses its shape, you can restore it by reshaping it by hand over a pot of boiling water.

- If the brim deforms by rising, a good strategy to restore its original shape is to use a steam iron, placing a cloth between the hat and the iron.

- If the shape is deformed or crushed, it is advised to bring it to a hat shop to proceed with the arrangement so that the hat does not lose its original shape.

- To avoid breaking the top of the crown, we can offer you the crown reinforcement. We also advise using a glue gun to make a bead on the inside of the crown to prevent the hat from cutting at the top of the crown.

Hat crown reinforcement - Traclet shop

How to clean a white Panama hat?

An iconic straw hat, the Panama is most commonly available in light-colored models. An ideal color for an incomparable style throughout the summer season. However, a white Panama is also a fashion accessory that gets dirty more easily in daily use. To preserve it durably, it should be cleaned periodically or when you have accidentally stained it. With a clean cloth, simply perform a light brushing to avoid damaging the material of your hat. For more stubborn stains, you can also use a cloth with a little lemon water. After rinsing, your Panama should then be quickly dried. Indeed, while cleaning is essential, the straw material does not tolerate moisture well.

How to store your Panama hat for long-term preservation?

Some Panama hat models are designed to be regularly rolled. While this flexibility is particularly appreciated during your outings or travels, this type of storage should remain occasional and temporary in order to preserve your hat over the years. More generally, it is therefore advised to store it upside down in a hat box dedicated and adapted to its size. For optimal care, you can also occasionally spray your headwear to slightly moisturize its material. Here again, it is essential that your Panama hat does not remain damp for too long.

Enhance your Panama hat with Chapellerie Traclet!

Committed to supporting you daily in caring for your finest hats, Chapellerie Traclet guides you for ideal cleaning and maintenance of your Panama hat. You can benefit from our detailed articles to discover notably how to recognize a genuine Panama hat, as well as from a team of enthusiasts to advise you at any time. An attentive and expert listening that allows you to enjoy your fashion accessory in the best way, and with all simplicity. Don't hesitate and trust Chapellerie Traclet to find and enhance your Panama hat year after year!