Straw hats can easily dent, especially when traveling. However, you don't have to throw it away. A dented straw hat is very easy to reshape.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Steaming and Wetting the Hat
Step 1. Steam the hat
You need to try steaming the hat first. The most common ways to steam a straw hat are using a steamer or the steam setting on the iron. You can also take your hat to a hat shop that has an industrial vaporizer, but this is usually not necessary.
- Apply steam all over the brim of the hat first. The steam will loosen the fibers. The steam will help the hat return to its natural shape.
- You can use steam from a pot of boiling water if you don't have a steamer, but be careful with boiling water.
- If the steam makes the hat too wet, stop for a few minutes before starting the process again.
Step 2. Curl the brim of the hat up and steam it all over
Leave a distance of 15-20 cm between the steam source and the straw to prevent the steam from damaging the hat or hurting your hands. Return the curvature of the hat downwards.
- After steaming the entire brim, steam the inside of the hat head.
- The steam will begin to repair the dent in the hat. Do not let the steamer or iron touch the straw directly.
- Continue steaming until the hat is damp. Don't worry about excess moisture as this will help straighten the hat.
Step 3. Use your fingers to shape the hat
After the hat is wet or while it is steaming, press the hat back to its original state, continuing to shape the straw by hand throughout the steaming process.
- Pull the fibers with your hands as you form the hat. You can also use a spoon to reshape the hat as it steams, instead of using your hands.
- Once steamed, place a bowl, folded towel, or other object inside the hat. This will help the hat head back into shape.
- You may need to wear garden gloves or oven mitts when steaming the hat. Hot steam can be dangerous. So, be careful. Do not burn the skin from getting too close to the hot steam.
Step 4. Wet the hat
If steaming doesn't work, it may be necessary to wet the cap. This approach works especially well for the dented edges of the straw hat. Spray the hat with water. As it dries, the hat will return to its original shape as the water will soften the straw.
- Just spray the hat with water. If that doesn't work either, dip the head of the hat in a bowl of warm water. Don't let the hat dry out too much, as the straw may break.
- Make sure the hat is evenly moistened by rotating the hat in the bowl. Once wet, shape it to its original state with your hands or another object.
- You may worry about getting your straw hat wet. No need to worry. This is the most common way to return the hat to its original shape.
Step 5. Allow the hat to dry
Once it's finished steaming or moistening, let the straw hat dry.
- Repeat the process of steaming or wetting the straw if the shape of the hat is still not perfect.
- This move depends on the hat itself and the extent of the damage. Some hats only need to be steamed or wetted once, while others need to be steamed twice.
- Try it once first as the hat should not be reshaped too often.
Method 2 of 3: Restoring the Hat's Shape
Step 1. Roll up the towel to form the hat
Instead of wetting or steaming the hat, you can reshape it the way it was. Wet the towel sufficiently. This moisture will soften the hay. Basically, the towel serves as a substitute for the shape of the head.
- Place the hat on the towel roll. Let it sit for a while to help the straw return to its original shape.
- Make sure the towel roll is wide enough and tuck into the head of the hat as deep as possible. Using a towel is a great way to go if you're on vacation and don't have access to anything else the size of a hat.
- You can also fill the hat with tissue paper or with clumps of newsprint.
Step 2. Insert the round object into the hat
Instead of a towel, you can insert a bowl or other round object that fits inside the head of the hat. This will help bring the hat back to its original shape.
- Weights, clips, or straps can also be used to hold the hat back into its original shape.
- You can use any round object for this method, but make sure the shape fits snugly against the inside of the hat's head. Otherwise, this method will be useless.
- Objects that are too large will damage the hat and make it even more deformed. You can use any object that is shaped just right and fits inside the head of the hat.
Step 3. Iron the hat
Place the curved brim of the hat on the end of the ironing board. Put a damp cloth on it. Turn the iron on to a moderately hot temperature.
- Press the iron around the brim of the hat, over a damp cloth. Press very gently and quickly and don't let the iron sit too long on the hat. This is important. Otherwise, the straw may catch fire.
- Turn the brim of the hat to iron the rest of the hat. Iron the top. The top requires more careful maintenance, depending on the style of the hat. Be careful when using the iron on straw. If you don't put a wet cloth between the iron and the straw, the hat may catch fire.
- Be careful not to squash or dent the hat again, as the straw has already been weakened by the previous denting condition. As time goes on, the hat will get weaker and weaker, until eventually each straw begins to break and loosen.
Method 3 of 3: Protecting the Hat
Step 1. Buy a head block
The head block is a head mannequin made of Styrofoam that can be used to put a hat on when not in use. This is a great way to return the hat to its original shape because the shape of this mannequin block is exactly like the head.
- Head blocks are not hard to find. You can buy it from a beauty store because it is often used to place wigs. Just ask "Styrofoam wig head".
- Once the hat is moistened or steamed, place it on top of the Styrofoam head block. Position the hat so that it rests steadily on the block. Or just put your usual hat there when it's not in use.
- You can pin pins to the brim of the hat and Styrofoam to keep it in good shape. Shape the brim of the hat by hand.
Step 2. Place a heavy object on top of the hat
Place the object over the brim of the hat to keep it flat and not curling up.
- For example, you could use a small wastebasket or bucket and place it over the brim of a hat, then let it sit for a few hours. The item should be snug in size with the top of the hat.
- The weight of the basket or bucket should be able to press the brim of the hat flat again. However, make sure the size of the basket or bucket fits the width of the brim of the hat so that the rest of the hat doesn't get damaged under pressure.
- This method is designed to flatten the curly rim of the straw hat, not to repair the dent on the hat head.
Step 3. Protect the hat
Make sure beforehand that the hat is not squashed. There are several ways to protect the shape of the hat.
- When traveling, carry a hat in a hat box or just wear it straight away. Cramping a straw hat into a suitcase is the beginning of doom.
- Don't fold the hat too often, as the shape can change and the straw may break. You don't want to damage the head of the hat or the brim.
- To clean a light-colored straw hat, use teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide mixed with teaspoon of warm water. To clean dark straw hats, mix teaspoon of ammonia with 1/3 cup of water. You can also rub the hat with a piece of velvet that has been lightly steamed with water.
Tips
- If the brim of the hat is curved upwards, iron the edges carefully. The brim of the hat will return to its original shape.
- Always avoid direct contact between the iron and the straw hat.
