Last Updated on January 26, 2022 by jordan Nelson
When the weather is warm and sunny, a straw hat is an ideal accessory to don. It may not hold up well if it suddenly starts to rain and your straw hat becomes wet. To repair or replace a straw hat that has been harmed by the elements, you may need to buy a new one. However, knowing how to waterproof a straw hat is more feasible.
Follow these methods to keep your hat in good condition no matter what the weather throws at it.
How to waterproof a straw hat?
Step 1: Clean your hat.
It’s a good idea to clean the hat first before we begin. To accomplish this, lightly brush the hat using a soft bristle brush. That hat will be clean now as this has been done to it. To avoid damaging the hat, use a brush that is not too coarse.
Then use a moist cloth to wipe the hat clean of any lingering dust. Leave it in a warm, dry place for about an hour, or until it’s dry enough to touch, before wearing it again.
Step 2: Apply a water-repellent solution to the hat.
Four proven water repellent solutions are safe to use on a straw hat without damaging it.
Best Spray For waterproof Hat , shellac spray
You can use transparent shellac that dries in just a few minutes if you like. However, you can also use clear shellac to waterproof your straw hat if you are doing some DIY, crafts, or hobbies.
Amber shellac application instructions
Place your headwear on a level surface. A substantial amount of spray should be applied to your straw hat. Make careful to coat the hat well, but avoid soaking it. The second layer should be applied after the first one has dried overnight to ensure that the entire hat is coated.
Spraying the hat’s outside is recommended as a general rule of thumb. A few days may be required for the shellac’s characteristic smell to dissipate.
Apply a fresh coat of amber shellac every three to four days if you use your hat regularly, especially if it will be near water, such as a lake or the ocean.
Apply Scotchgard For Waterproofing Hat
You may waterproof your straw hat with Scotchgard, a multipurpose water-resistant spray. Your hat will be stain-resistant as a result of using this product.
Although some hat manufacturers urge their consumers to utilise silicone-based waterproofing sprays instead of Scotchgard, others do not recommend using Scotchgard. Visit the manufacturer’s website to find out if Scotchgard is safe to use on your straw hat.
Apply Nikwax For Hat Waterproofing
When it comes to keeping your outdoor gear clean and watertight, go no further than NikWax. These products can also be used to waterproof your straw hat. Moreover, these are water-based and biodegradable. Furthermore, these are non-flammable and do not contain any dangerous volatile components.
Apply waterproof spray
As a last resort, you might use a waterproof spray instead of shellac if you don’t have the patience. We propose using something comparable to Nikwax’s fabric waterproofing spray, which is widely available.
Spray evenly from a distance of 12 inches away, then wait for it to dry completely before reapplying (usually about an hour). For the greatest results, you should apply at least two coats.
Drying time between applications should be around 20-30 minutes if the coatings are thin enough.
The disadvantage of these sprays is that they degrade over time due to exposure to the weather. Spray that has been exposed to the sun’s UV rays or the rain’s moisture will degrade over time.
Now you can tell others, how to waterproof a straw hat.
Straw hat care tips
Now that you know how to waterproof a straw hat, you should know how to protect it. Even if the fabric is strengthened, regular usage of the squeeze can cause the straw to fold and finally split.
Avoid dampness
Continuous dampness may cause the cloth to lose its elasticity and deteriorate in appearance. If this happens, your hat can most likely be re-blocked, but it’s best to be safe than sorry. It is recommended that you should attempt to waterproof your Panama hat.
Protect from sun
Make sure to keep Panamas and natural straw hats out of the direct sunlight if you plan on wearing them. Straw can become brittle and dry out as a result of this. It is ideal to spritz your Panama hat with a mister (spray bottle) to keep the straw from drying out if you reside in an especially hot or dry environment.
Preserving integrity
It’s worth noting that there are still Ecuadorian Panama weavers that produce high-quality rollable hats. Thousands of dollars may be made by weaving and shaping these gorgeous pieces in a precise manner that allows them to be relatively packable. It is possible to find cheaper versions of rollable Panamas, but they should be folded as little as possible to preserve the straw’s integrity. Just because you “can” does not always mean you “should,” especially if the price looked too good to be true when it comes to folding headwear.
Storage
It is best to store your hat either on its crown or upside down on a hook or hat stand that is suited for the occasion. Keeping the brim in good shape and reducing the quantity of dust or mud that gets trapped inside will benefit from this.
To protect the brim and top of your hats while they are being stored for the off-season, we recommend utilising a robust box filled with acid-free tissue to protect them. Include some silica packs (the small dehumidifiers that come in shoe boxes and new bags) as well as some mothballs or lavender soap in your storage container as an extra precaution. You will be less likely to get any unpleasant surprises the next time you put it on.
Safety
Make sure the headgear is safe. First and foremost, it’s a good idea to make sure that your hat isn’t squashed to death. Your hat’s shape can be preserved in a variety of ways.
If you flex the hat too much, it will lose its shape and the straw may even crack. Avoid this. A brim or a crown should not be damaged too much.
It is possible to use 12 tsp hydrogen peroxide in warm water to clean light straw hats. To remove grime from dark straw hats, dilute 12 teaspoons of ammonia in 3 cups of water. Also, you might use an old piece of velvet that you have warmed up in the steamer.
How can I regain the shape of my straw hat?
Apart from knowing how to waterproof a straw hat, you must know how to regain its shape.
When you are not wearing your hat, place it on one of the Styrofoam heads. Because it is a fake head, this is the easiest way to get the cap back to its original shape.
You won’t have a hard time finding these. Many beauty supply businesses carry these since they are commonly used to store wigs. Simply request a Styrofoam wig cap during check-out.
Place the hat on the Styrofoam head block once it has been wet or steamed. Make sure it is securely seated on the block before moving it. When you are not wearing your hat, you may simply place it on a head block to keep it safe.
Pins could be inserted through the brim of the Styrofoam to keep the hat’s shape intact. Using your hands, create a rounded brim.
Is it reasonable to wear a straw hat in the rain?
The use of straw hats in the rain is discouraged because rainwater will deform its shape. In addition, avoid wearing straw hats in high-humidity conditions. Straw hats are not waterproof and so do not perform well in the rain.
Is wearing straw hats a smart way to shield yourself from the sun?
When it’s warm and sunny outside, straw hats are the perfect accessory. While a tightly woven straw hat might provide some protection from the sun, it is still necessary to apply sunscreen to the skin parts that will be exposed to direct sunlight.
How to stiffen a straw hat?
If you are looking for an easy way to dress up your favourite T-shirt for an afternoon on the town, a big, bold hat will do the trick. But if you keep your hat in your closet for too long, the brim will begin to look flat and floppy. Using spray-on starch, you can reshape the brim of your hat to your desired form.
Objects that you will use
- Towel
- A starch spray
- Newspaper
- A terrycloth towel can be rolled into a cylinder and moulded into a circular shape. The size of the circle should be proportional to your brim. Set away for a later time.
- Outside or in a well-ventilated area place the hat on a sheet of newspaper. Spray starch cans should be held 10 inches from the brim of the can. Apply three coats of spray paint to the brim’s outside.
- Flip the hat over after 10 seconds of letting the outside dry. The interior should be coated three times, each time with the can held 10 inches from the brim.
- Turn the cap over as soon as possible. Underneath the brim, place a rolled-up towel. Be careful when shaping the brim because it will dry in its final shape. Wear the hat only after it has had an opportunity to air dry for at least an hour.
How to avoid cracking of straw hat?
If your Panama hat’s straw gets too dry, it will crack and break. Toquilla straw, like leather, benefits from moisturising to increase its lifespan.
Investing in a specialised hat cleaner is one way to keep your hat soft and supple. Straws can be moisturised as well as cleaned with this product. It is also good to understand along with how to waterproof a straw hat!
Baby wipes, on the other hand, are the most economical option for moisturising your headwear. The optimum combination of mild soap and moisture may be found in baby wipes. Using baby wipes to gently clean and moisturise your hat can keep it looking new.
Conclusion about how to waterproof a straw hat
It is feasible to know how to waterproof a straw hat, and the procedure is fairly straightforward. To keep water beads from sticking to your hat, use a waterproofing spray (such as amber shellac, Scotchgard, Spray, or NikWax) after cleaning it.
I hope this article about how to waterproof a straw hat, will help you to protect it.
