How to Clean Golf Hats (And When It’s Time to Order New Ones)

Golf hats take a beating—sweat, UV rays, and long rounds don’t go easy on fabric. But cleaning them doesn’t mean ruining them. Whether you’re maintaining personal gear or managing a brand line, here’s how to keep your hats fresh—and when to replace them altogether.

The best way to clean a golf hat is by hand washing it with cold water and mild detergent. Use a soft brush to remove dirt and sweat stains. Avoid bleach, dryers, or hot water, which can ruin the shape. Let it air dry on a round form to preserve its fit.

Let’s dive into the proven methods and pro-level tips.

Can You Clean Golf Hats Without Ruining Them?

Absolutely—just don’t throw them in a washer and hope for the best. Golf hats, especially structured ones with embroidered logos, need a gentler touch.

The key is hand washing with cool water and gentle soap. It removes dirt while protecting fabric integrity and structure.

Best Way to Hand Wash a Golf Hat

Hand washing is the safest and most effective way to clean your hat without damaging it.

What you’ll need:

• Cold water
• Mild detergent (baby shampoo works great)
• Soft toothbrush or hat-cleaning brush
• Sink or small bucket
• Clean towel or rounded bowl for drying

Steps:

1. Fill your sink or bucket with cold water and a small drop of detergent.
2. Let the hat soak for 10–15 minutes.
3. Gently scrub dirty spots, especially the sweatband, using a soft brush.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean cold water.
5. Dry it over a bowl or a balled-up towel to help keep its shape.

Pro Tip: Never wring or twist the hat. Let gravity and airflow do the work.

Can You Machine Wash Golf Hats?

It’s not ideal. Machine washing may warp the brim, fade the logo, or break down stitching. If you must use a washing machine, follow these strict guidelines:

• Place the hat in a mesh laundry bag.
• Use only cold water and a gentle cycle.
• No spin. No dryer. Ever.
• Air dry immediately on a form.

Even then, hand washing is still your safest option—especially for structured caps.

How to Clean White Golf Hats

White golf hats look great—until they don’t. Sweat stains and sunscreen can turn your crisp white lid into a yellowish mess.

Try this whitening trick:

• Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda with 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide and a splash of water.
• Apply the paste to stained areas.
• Let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and repeat if needed.

This method lifts stains without damaging the material.

How to Remove Sweat Stains Effectively

Sweatbands absorb everything—and it shows. Here’s a reliable way to deep clean stubborn sweat marks.

The vinegar & baking soda method:

1. Spray a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water onto the sweat-stained area.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on top—watch it fizz!
3. Scrub gently with a soft toothbrush.
4. Rinse well and dry as usual.

For heavy-duty stains, use an enzyme-based laundry spray before soaking.

When It’s Time to Replace Your Golf Hats

Even the best cleaning methods can’t save every hat. If the brim is bent, the color is faded, or the sweatband feels permanently crusty—it’s time to move on.

For golf brands, tournaments, or apparel lines, replacing worn-out hats with fresh custom ones shows professionalism and attention to detail.

Why Brands Choose JoinTop for Custom Golf Hat Production

At some point, it’s smarter to reorder than rescue.

JoinTop is not a distributor—we’re the factory. That means better quality control, faster production, and lower cost for your brand.

Why JoinTop?

• We produce premium golf hats at scale (MOQ starts at 100 pcs).
• Structured, breathable, moisture-wicking designs.
• Pantone color matching and custom logo embroidery.
• Global shipping with on-time delivery.
• Perfect for sports brands, retail chains, tournament kits, and private labels.

Whether you’re building a new merch line or replacing inventory, we help you look sharp—and stay stocked.

Ready to create your own branded golf hats? Contact JoinTop today.