Panama Hat - Cleaning and Care

Balsa Box to store your folded Panama

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

Daily Tips

- Never let your hat come 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 window). Panama fibers need some moisture to avoid becoming brittle. The best would be to use a cigar humidor to have a humid environment.

- Above all, only roll models designed to be folded and we advise you to do this only for transport. It is not recommended to keep Panama hats rolled 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 crown top. Avoid PINCHING the top of the Panama hat when putting it on or taking it off. Learn the proper hat gestures, 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 use water or alcohol.

- For tougher stains, we recommend using baby wipes. Any unsuitable chemical product tends to damage hat fibers.

- Don't let sweat stains set in the straw, we recommend cleaning it regularly with a white cotton cloth and mild soap or ammonia.

Reshape 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 becomes deformed by lifting, 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 crown is deformed or crushed, it is advised to bring it to a hat shop to have it properly reshaped so the hat doesn't lose its original form.

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

Hat crown reinforcement - Traclet shop

How to clean a white Panama hat?

As an iconic straw hat, the Panama is most commonly available in light shades. 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 long-term, it should be cleaned periodically or when you accidentally stain it. With a clean cloth, simply brush it lightly to avoid damaging the hat material. For more stubborn stains, you can also use a cloth with a bit of lemon water. After rinsing, your Panama should be dried quickly. Indeed, while cleaning is essential, the straw material doesn't handle moisture well.

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

Some Panama 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 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 maintenance, you can also occasionally spray your headwear to very slightly moisturize its material. Here again, it is essential that your Panama doesn't stay humid for too long.

Enhance your Panama 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. You can benefit from our detailed articles to discover notably how to recognize a genuine Panama, as well as from a team of passionate experts 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 complete simplicity. Don't hesitate and trust Chapellerie Traclet to find and enhance your Panama year after year!