How to care for a sauna hat
Air dry flat, rinse by hand, reshape while damp. Almost everything else is a mistake.
A wool felt sauna hat does not need much, but it does need the right kind of attention. Treat it like a natural material and it will keep its shape and its function for years.
After every session
Take the hat off with the rest of your kit and let it air dry flat. Do not drape it over a radiator, a sauna stove or any direct heat source: forced heat dries the felt too quickly and can distort the shape.
If the hat is damp through, turn it inside out once the surface has dried, then turn it back. This lets the interior fibres dry evenly.
When it needs a wash
Most of the time a rinse is enough. Use cool water and no detergent. Gently squeeze the water through the felt — do not rub, wring or twist, as excess agitation mats the fibres unevenly.
If there is a mark, spot-clean with a little cool water first. Strong detergents, enzyme wool washes and machine cycles all damage the felt structure.
Drying and reshaping
- Lay it flat on a dry towel in a ventilated space, out of direct sun or heat.
- Reshape while damp: tease the brim and crown back into form with your fingertips.
- Let it dry slowly. Slow drying preserves the density that makes felt insulate.
Storage
Store it somewhere dry, clean and away from moths. A cotton bag is better than a plastic box, which traps moisture. Do not crush it under heavy things — the blocked shape is part of the fit.
What to avoid
- No washing machine. Agitation and spin will felt the fibres unevenly and distort the hat.
- No tumble dryer. Heat and motion destroy the blocked shape.
- No harsh detergent. It strips natural lanolin and weakens the fibres.
- No direct heat. Radiators and stoves dry felt unevenly and can cause cracking.
Common questions
- Can I machine wash a sauna hat?
- No. Machine washing and spinning will felt the fibres unevenly, shrink the hat and distort the shape. Hand rinse in cool water only.
- How often should I wash my sauna hat?
- Only when it needs it. Air dry after every session and rinse after heavy use. Over-washing wears the fibres faster.
- Why does my hat smell of wool?
- Clean wool has a faint lanolin scent. If the smell is sour or musty, the hat is not drying fully between sessions — air it more thoroughly and flatter.
- How long should a felt sauna hat last?
- Years, with this routine. It will soften, mould to your head and mark over time, which is the material working rather than failing.
Continue reading
- The sauna hat: a UK buying guide — what to look for before you buy, and what to pay.
- What is a sauna hat? — the object and why felt is the material.
Our Heritage Sauna Hat is made to be used, dried and reshaped for years.