For people who live in cold climates, a beanie is a handy accessory. However, if you use it often, this headgear will be full of dust, sweat, and other dirt. To clean the skullcap, you should wash it by hand so that its shape and elasticity do not change. However, sturdier materials-such as cotton-can be machine washed, as long as the beanie is air-dried, not tumbled in a tumble dryer.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Hand Wash
Step 1. Fill the sink with cool, clean water to wash synthetic or knitted beanies
You can also use a plastic bucket or basin instead of a sink. Make sure the water is deep enough so that the skullcap is completely submerged.
- Check the care label first to find out the material of your beanie. If the label has been cut and you don't know what kind of material it is, wash the beanie by hand and cold water to be safe. Warm water can shrink certain materials.
- Synthetic materials include polyester, acrylic, and nylon.
Step 2. Fill the sink with lukewarm water to wash the cashmere or wool beanie
Make sure the water is not hot to the touch, as wool will shrink at high temperatures. If you have a thermometer, experts recommend a temperature of 29 °C.
Instead of a sink, you can also use a plastic bucket, bowl, or basin. Make sure there is enough water in the container to cover the beanie
Step 3. Add a few drops of mild detergent to the water
Don't add too much standard soap, add about 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of detergent per 4 liters of water. Use your hands to mix the soap with the water and make sure it's evenly distributed.
- Woolite brand detergent is a great choice for wool or knitted hats.
- Try baby shampoo if you want to wash a beanie made of cashmere.
Step 4. Put the skullcap into the water and stir for about 2-5 minutes
You can also squeeze it several times in a row so that the beanie absorbs and releases the water. Don't stretch or rub your skullcap as this can make the surface hairy or deformed.
- Usually, 98% of the dirt will clear after the beanie is washed by hand for 5 minutes.
- If your beanie is stained, gently massage the soapy water into the dirty area to remove the stain. You can also soak it longer to help lift the stain.
Step 5. Rinse the beanie with clean cold water
You can either throw the soapy water out of the sink and refill it with clean water, or you can remove the water from the basin and refill it with clean water. Press the soapy beanie into the bottom or sides of the basin to absorb the water, then squeeze gently to remove it. Repeat this step until the remaining soap is clean.
- If you have two containers, just fill them both with clean water and rinse the beanie from one container to another.
- If you're washing a beanie made of a very soft material like cashmere, don't rinse it under running water so that it doesn't loosen.
Step 6. Roll up the skullcap and press it against a hard surface to squeeze out the water
Roll the wet beanie with your hands into a loose ball, then gently press it against the side of the sink or bucket to drain the water.
Do not twist and squeeze it because it can damage the shape and elasticity of the foreskin
Step 7. Place the beanie on a dry towel to dry off any remaining water
Spread a clean towel on a flat surface, then lay the beanie flat on it. Starting at one end, roll the towel and beanie inside into a tight roll. Once all the pieces are rolled up, press down firmly so the towel absorbs any remaining water from the beanie. Unroll the towel and take the beanie.
The size of the towel only needs to be slightly larger than the beanie. So, you can use a clean and dry hand towel
Step 8. Allow the beanie to dry completely by placing it flat in a well-ventilated area
Place on a drying rack or on a dry towel. Do not dry it in a place that is exposed to direct sunlight because the color of the skullcap can fade. Do not also use a hair dryer because it can shrink certain materials.
Reshape the beanie before placing it until it dries to maintain its original shape
Method 2 of 2: Using the Washing Machine
Step 1. Check the care label to see if your beanie is machine washable
Read the care label on the beanie to see if there are special washing instructions. Beanies made of cotton, cotton blends, and synthetic materials such as acrylic, are machine washable. Wool beanies are also usually machine washable.
If the label has been cut and you don't know the material of the beanie, it's better to wash it by hand
Step 2. Place the beanie in a laundry mesh bag to prevent it from stretching
Beanies, especially those made of wool, can stretch as a result of the movement of the washing machine. To prevent this, use a mesh bag to wash clothes. Depending on the type, you can either pull the zipper or draw the string to secure the contents of the bag.
- You can tuck your beanie into a pillowcase if you don't have a mesh pocket. Just seal the ends of the pillowcases tightly before putting them in the washing machine.
- It's better to wash the beanie with a bucket of other clothes of a similar color so that the beanie doesn't sway to and fro in an empty washing machine and get stretched or wrinkled.
Step 3. Add a mild detergent to the washing machine
Put the detergent in the detergent drawer of the washing machine and do not pour it directly onto the beanie to be washed. Direct pouring will make the beanie absorb most of the detergent and the washing will be uneven.
If you're washing a wool beanie, use a special detergent for wool
Step 4. Choose a soft or light twist setting so that the beanie is not damaged
Rough rotation can damage the shape of the beanie. So, choose a light or gentle setting on the washing machine that will run a gentle spin to clean clothes.
Step 5. Use a temperature setting of 29 °C or less
Usually, the gentle or light setting will be programmed to wash in cold water. However, if your washing machine does not have this setting, choose a temperature of 29 °C or less.
Hot water can make the foreskin shrink
Step 6. Air the beanie and don't put it in the dryer
Place the beanie flat on a dry towel or drying rack in a well-ventilated area. If it's still very wet, roll it up in a dry towel to remove any excess water before putting it down and letting it air dry completely.
Don't use a hairdryer, as the temperature is hot enough to shrink your beard
Step 7. Reshape the beanie with your hands while it's still damp
That way, the skullcap will return to its original shape. You can also roll up some of the baggies into balls and put them in the skullcap to keep the shape intact once it dries.
