How to Care for Your Cowboy Hat: A Felt and Straw Care Guide

Cowboy hats are an iconic Western wardrobe staple, originally designed to protect hardworking cowboys and ranchers from harsh weather. A cowboy hat is a symbol of character, confidence, and American pride, and over time it has evolved from functional ranch gear into a lasting fashion statement. Wearing one shows an appreciation for the traditions and heritage of Western American culture, and a quality cowboy hat, cared for properly, is an investment that can be handed down through generations. This cowboy hat care guide shares easy tips from your friends at Mavericks of Scottsdale.

What Makes a Cowboy Hat

Traditional cowboy hats are built by pressing and matting natural animal fibers together using heat and moisture, most commonly wool, rabbit fur, beaver fur, or blends of these materials, with the quality and composition of the fibers determining the hat's feel, durability, and overall value. The process starts with cone forming, where fur fibers are vacuum-formed onto a rotating cone to create a soft, oversized felt hood that becomes the foundation of the hat before it's shrunk, strengthened, and blocked. During blocking, that felt hood is steamed and stretched over a hat block to create what's known as an open crown, a smooth, un-creased, dome-shaped crown that's ready to be shaped into its final style.

Why Proper Hat Care Matters

Proper felt hat care and straw hat care extend the life of your hat while preserving its shape, color, and texture, and using the correct cleaning and storage methods helps prevent premature wear so your hat keeps looking its best. Improper care, on the other hand, can permanently damage the hat's structure, causing it to lose its shape, fade, or develop unwanted texture changes that are difficult to reverse.

General Cowboy Hat Care Tips

Always store your hat upside down on its crown rather than flat on the brim, since resting it on the brim can flatten the shape over time and cause it to lose its original form. When brushing a felt hat, brush counterclockwise in a circular motion, following the natural grain of the fur, which removes dust while protecting the finish. To prevent shrinkage, keep your hat out of hot vehicles and off windowsills, since high heat will shrink the internal leather sweatband and warp the felt. Avoid soaking your hat, too: fur felt can lose its shape when saturated with water, and straw hats may weaken, warp, or crack if they get excessively wet.

Caring for a Dark Felt Hat

Dark felt hats need more frequent brushing than lighter ones simply because dust shows up more visibly against the darker fibers, and regular brushing removes dirt while revitalizing the fibers underneath. For deeper cleaning, a felt hat cleaner for light colors (available in-store at Mavericks) works well to lift oil spots and rejuvenate the felt. Store dark felt hats in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, and keep them clear of prolonged moisture exposure.

Caring for a Light Felt Hat

Light-colored felt hats need the same basic care as dark felt, but dirt and stains tend to show up faster, so frequent brushing and prompt spot cleaning are worth staying on top of. The felt hat cleaner for light colors, available in-store at Mavericks, is built specifically for lifting stains without dulling the finish.

Caring for a Straw Hat

Straw hats are lightweight and breathable, but they're more sensitive to moisture than felt, so keeping a straw hat dry and stored away from excessive heat and humidity is the best way to prevent warping or weakening over time. For cleaning, Nustraw straw hat cleaner, sold in-store at Mavericks, is a reliable option for keeping straw hats looking new.

Explore Our Collections

Proper cowboy hat care means years of enjoyment from a hat that only gets better with wear. Mavericks of Scottsdale is proud to carry a premium collection of cowboy hats and Western apparel from brands including Stetson, Resistol, American Hat Co., and Charlie 1 Horse. Explore our collections and shop today.