One of the issues with felt hats is that they attract dust and loose dirt, but can loose their shape if you pat or brush the dust off by hand. The solution is to use a a soft brush to clean loose material away, using a polishing motion to gently knock larger debris free. Don’t use hard-bristled brushes as they can puncture the felt or cause damage.

Soft brushing may work for loose dirt, but animal hair can be a bit more stubborn. The easy way to tackle fuzz and bristle is to simply use a piece of brown packing tape to pull loose fibers off the felt without damaging the material. Standard lint rollers are a handy alternative if you already use one to clean your suits and overcoats.

Cleaning stains on felt requires a gentle touch, so our cleaning experts recommend using a soft sponge to start by buffing the stain out. If that doesn’t work then specialty hat cleaning sprays can prove helpful – or a gentle spray of very dilute soapy water. Either way, finish by air-drying the hat slowly and away from direct sunlight.