If your riding hat smells a little less fragrant than you’d like, or it’s dirty on the outside, you might be thinking of giving it a clean. Whilst this makes perfect sense, as riding hats are items of safety equipment, you need to be careful about what you’re cleaning the hat with, and how you’re cleaning it. Here’s our guide to help you clean your hat with ease, without compromising the protection the hat can provide.
Does your riding hat have a removable liner?
If your hat has a removable liner, then cleaning the inside just got a whole lot easier! These liners fit inside the hat and can be removed with ease and then washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions – in any event we’d recommend washing it at no more than 30 degrees centigrade and letting your liner air dry.
What if your riding hat doesn’t have a removable liner?
This makes the task a little more challenging, but there’s still a lot you can do. There are some specialist hat cleaning products that allow you to apply the product to the band that runs around the inside of the hat to remove dirt, sweat, make up and grease before you wipe with a damp cloth. This can be repeated until the hat is clean. It’s important to keep the hat as dry as possible as getting water into the protective layer of the hat won’t help it in the long term.
What about the outside of the riding hat?
Whilst it might be tempting to washing your hat in hot soapy water, DON’T DO IT! Some of the elements used to make the hat can be sensitive to heat and it could cause them to distort or weaken if subjected to extreme temperatures. Also, don’t be tempted to use strong cleaning products- it’s not needed and won’t help the hat’s outer. General advice is to use lukewarm water and a soft cloth to wipe the exterior, or if the hat is velvet, use a soft brush. If you use a hat silk, this can be washed as per the manufacturer’s instructions, just like a liner.
How do you dry a riding hat?
You can use a towel to remove excess moisture from inside the hat by pressing very lightly, and you can use a towel on the outside too. Then, leave your hat to dry at room temperature. Don’t put it anywhere near a radiator or similar heat source as this could distort and damage the hat.
How can you keep your hat in the best condition?
Good storage can help prevent your hat getting dusty and damp, and using a case can help protect it from minor bumps during transport too. Washing your liners regularly can help keep smell, grease and bacteria to a minimum, and if you can’t wash your hat, have a look at a specialist deodorising and cleaning product.
Choose RB Equestrian for riding hats
We are renowned for our riding hat range and our dedication to rider safety. That’s been recognised in our awards including BETA Safety Equipment Fitter of the Year 2024.
Our staff are BETA trained hat and body protector fitters and they receive regular training to keep them up to date. We will take the time to make sure you have the right fitting hat and we go on checking it as many times as you need. We don’t charge for this.
We are proud to offer a fantastic range of riding helmets. From KASK or Samshield, which are fully customisable, to mid-budget riding hats including Evoke and Karben and those looking for affordable riding hats from Charles Owen Kylo or Champion.
