How to care for your hat?
To care for your Panama hat, it's essential to hold it correctly. Never pinch your hat when putting it on or taking it off. Always hold it by the brim.
Tips on caring for your Panama hat:
1. Shield It from the elements
- Avoid Rain and Water: Toquilla straw is highly absorbent, and once it dries, stains can appear and the straw can weaken. Never leave your hat exposed to rain.
- Limit Sun Exposure: The Panama fibers need moisture to prevent them from becoming brittle. Use a cigar humidor or a humid place for storage.
- Handle with care: Avoid pinching the top of the hat when putting it on or taking it off. Learn the proper hat-handling technique by holding it by the brim.
2. Cleaning and Maintenance
- Light Stains: Use a gum eraser to gently clean minor stains. Avoid water or alcohol.
- Stubborn Stains: Opt for baby wipes. Harsh chemicals can damage the hat’s fibers.
- Sweat: Regularly wipe with a white cotton cloth and mild soap or ammonia.
3. Reshape your hat
- Regain its form: If your Panama hat loses its shape, reshape it by hand over a pot of boiling water.
- Wing deformation: Use a steam iron with a cloth between the hat and the iron.
- Crown misshaping: Have the crown adjusted at a hat shop to maintain its original shape.
4. White Panama Hat?
- Light brushing: Use a clean cloth to lightly brush without damaging the material.
- Stubborn Stains: Dab with a little lemon-water solution, then rinse and dry promptly.
By following these tips, you’ll extend the life of your Panama hat and continue to wear it stylishly during your outdoor escapades.
How to store and fold your panama straw hat?
People often wonder how to fold a Panama straw hat. Because of its strength and weave, the Panama Cuenca cannot be folded. It should be stored, for example, in a large box, upside down (the brim must not touch any surface to avoid damage) or on a suitable support, high up, and moistened from time to time with a spray bottle.
Some Panama hats (specially designed for this purpose) can be rolled but not folded, to avoid damaging them. And this has to be done for a short time, always with a little moisture.