Can You Wash a Cap in a Washing Machine?
You can machine wash most modern baseball caps that have a plastic (not cardboard) brim. The trick is protecting the shape. Older caps with a cardboard brim will warp and crumble in water — wash those by hand. Wool caps and ones with delicate logos are also safer hand washed. Check the brim by gently bending it: if it feels stiff and papery, keep it out of the machine.
What You Need
- A mesh laundry bag
- Mild liquid detergent
- A cap cage (optional, for the best shape protection)
Step-by-Step
- Confirm the brim is plastic, not cardboard.
- Pre-treat sweat marks and stains on the band with a little detergent.
- Place the cap in a cap cage, or into a mesh laundry bag to shield it.
- Wash with a few towels to cushion it and balance the drum.
- Select a cold, gentle cycle with a low spin speed.
- Use a small amount of liquid detergent — no bleach.
What NOT to Do
- Don’t machine wash caps with a cardboard brim.
- Don’t use hot water — it shrinks the cap and fades colours.
- Don’t use a high spin; it crushes the crown out of shape.
- Don’t tumble dry — heat warps the brim permanently.
Drying Tips
Reshape the cap while damp and let it air dry over a rounded object — a small bowl, a balled-up towel, or a coffee can holds the crown nicely. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters. Never put a cap in the dryer; air drying is the only way to keep that crisp, rounded shape.
Useful Reads & Where to Shop
The mesh-bag method is the same one used for washing shoes and other shaped items. To pick the gentlest setting on your machine, our LG washing machine guide explains the delicate cycle.