Have you ever found that felt hats are getting stiffer and stiffer? I never had this problem until recently.
I find one of my old felt hats in the closet, which feels soft and gives a snug fit. Ugh, nowadays the hats! They are in good shape but just almost stiff as hardwood boards.
In case they lead to any headaches, I did some research and found several methods about how to soften felt hats:
- 1. Use Very Hot Water
- 2. Iron It
- 3. Use Blow Dryer
- 4. Steam It with Tea Kettle
Moreover, I also find some ways that work well but are not suggested. Now, let’s get started!
How to Soften Your Felt Hats: 4 Efficient And Safe Ways
Here are four ways about how to soften felt hats easily and quickly.
Method #1: Use Very Hot Water
When it comes to softening a felt hat, you can use either very warm water or hot water. The difference is that you won’t have to wait as long for the hat to soak in the water with very warm water.
However, if you’re using hot water, be sure to test the temperature of the water before soaking the hat. You don’t want it to be so hot that it damages the hat.
Tools You Need:
– a bowl
– a felt hat
– very warm water (around 120 degrees Fahrenheit) or hot water (around 140 degrees Fahrenheit)
To soften a felt hat using very warm water, follow these steps:
1. Fill a bowl with very warm water.
2. Soak the hat in the water for 5-10 minutes
3. Remove the hat from the water and let it air dry
If you’re using hot water, change the soaking time to 3 minutes.
Method # 2: Iron It
Ironing a felt hat is a popular way to soften it. It’s efficient, and many people have success with it.
However, there are some things you need to be aware of before you start ironing your hat. First, you don’t want to use a high heat setting on your iron. The heat can damage the hat.
Second, you’ll want to make sure the hat is damp before you start ironing it. If it’s not wet enough, the hat will become stiff again after you’re done ironing it.
The advantage of using an iron to soften a felt hat is that it will help eliminate any wrinkles in the fabric.
Tools You Need:
- a felt hat
- an iron
- a pressing cloth (a piece of cotton or linen)
- an ironing board
To soften a felt hat using very warm water, follow these steps:
1. Find a felt hat that you want to soften
2. Place the hat on an ironing board
3. Put a pressing cloth over the hat
4. Iron the hat using low heat for 5-10 minutes
5. Remove the hat from the pressing cloth and let it cool off
Here are some tips for ironing your felt hat:
– Use a low or medium heat setting on your iron.
– Don’t apply pressure when ironing the hat
– Iron the entire surface of the hat, making sure to get the brim as well.
– Let the hat cool down before putting it back on your head.
Method #3: Use Blow Dryers
Blow drying a felt hat is another popular way to soften it. The advantage of using a blow dryer is that you can dry your felt hat together.
Similarly, you must be careful not to damage the hat by using too much heat. And you’ll want to make sure the hat is damp before you start blow drying it.
Tools You Need:
- a felt hat
- a blow dryer
To soften a felt hat using a blow dryer, follow these steps:
1. When using a blow dryer to soften a felt hat, you’ll want to make sure the hat is damp before you start. If it’s not wet enough, the hat will become stiff again after you’re done blow drying it.
2. You can either soak the hat in water or spray it with a water bottle before blow drying.
3. Then, turn on the blow dryer and hold it about 6 inches away from the hat. Blow dry the entire hat surface, making sure to get the brim as well.
4. The process usually takes between 5 and 10 minutes. Be patient, and make sure not to use too much heat, or you could damage the hat.
Method #4: Use Tea Kettles To Steam It
Tea kettles are a great way to soften felt hats. The steam and heat help to loosen up the fibers, making the hat more comfortable to wear. Plus, tea kettles are a common household item, so most people have one lying around.
One Tip: make sure your tea kettle is with good insulation. This will help to produce more steam.
Tools You Need:
- Tea kettle
- Pot holder
- Kitchen towel
- Head cover (optional)
1. Fill a tea kettle with water and set it to a boil.
2. While the water is boiling, place the hat on a pot holder or kitchen towel.
3. Drape a kitchen towel over the hat and tie it around the base of the crown. This will create a steam chamber.
4. Carefully place the tea kettle over the towel-covered hat. Make sure the spout is facing away from you to avoid burns.
5. Allow the tea kettle to steam for 5-10 minutes.
6. Remove the tea kettle and untie the kitchen towel. Allow the hat to cool before wearing it.
Then Is There Any Way That Works But Not Suggested?
Yes, one way works well to soften a felt hat, but it is not recommended: beat or stretch your hat directly.
Beating or stretching a felt hat directly can damage it, making it less likely to hold its shape and more prone to becoming misshapen.
In addition, this method can also lead to the fabric becoming thinner and more susceptible to tears and other damage. For these reasons, it is generally recommended to use the four methods above to soften your felt hat.
Final Words
Well, that’s all the methods of how to soften a felt hat. While there are a few ways to soften a felt hat, some methods are more effective than others.
I hope this guide is helpful and informative and that you’ll be able to get your felt hat to feel just the way you want it.
Have a good hat day, and don’t forget to follow our website to get our newest posts!
