In this article
- Can you wash beanies?
- How to remove pilling
- Understanding materials and laundry symbols
- How to hand wash a benaie
- How to machine wash a beanie
- How to wash beanies with poms
- How to wash a wool beanie
- How to dry a beanie
Can you wash beanies?
When the weather gets cold, we all turn to our trusty warm layers - beanies and scarves. But just like jumpers and woolly socks, beanies need to be washed once a month during the colder season when they’re worn daily. You wash your hair, so why wouldn’t you wash whatever covers your hair?
How to remove pilling
Like most knitted items that get used a lot, you might encounter pilling on your beanie. Rather than picking off each ball of yarn individually, which can cause damage to the knit, you can use an old razor or an electric pill and fuzz remover.
Understanding materials and laundry symbols
Each knit is different and requires a different care regimen. Wool fibres should be hand-washed, whereas acrylic and other man-made fibres may be machine washable. You should always check the label on the inside of the hat to find out what the best method to clean your beanie is.
Here are some common symbols you might come across and what they mean:
How to hand wash a beanie
- Fill the washing up or your sink with lukewarm water and add a bit of mild detergent.
- Submerge the beanie and swirl it around for a bit without wringing or twisting the knit.
- Leave it to soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Empty the sink and fill it again with cold water to rinse out any of the remaining soap suds.
- Drain the water without taking the beanie out. Squeeze out excess water by pressing the beanie flat against the sink.
- Lay the beanie flat on a clean towel and roll it to remove any remaining water. Don’t roll the towel too tightly to avoid stretching and misshaping the material. Unroll the beanie and gently reshape it as needed.
How to machine wash a beanie
- Place the beanie in a mesh bag to prevent snags.
- Use an appropriate type of detergent, whether it’s wool specific or made for knit items.
- Choose a gentle cycle and cold water setting, or follow the manufacturer’s instructions found on the inside label.
- Wash with similar colours.
How to wash beanies with poms
Pom beanies, especially those with fur or faux fur poms should be hand-washed. Following the same steps set out above, hold the pom out of the water while you wash the rest of the beanie.
How to wash a wool beanie
Wool is different from other types of yarn and needs special care. Wool can matt or shrink if it’s not treated properly. Wool beanies should only be washed by hand.
- Fill your sink up with lukewarm water and add a bit of wool detergent which contains lanolin, a natural oil that improves wool’s water-resistant properties.
- Soak the beanie for 15-20 min. Gently massage the wool without pulling, stretching or twisting the knit.
- Use cold water to rinse out excess suds.
- Drain the sink without taking the beanie out. Allow the water to fully drain away. Squeeze the excess water out by pressing the beanie flat against the sink.
- Remove remaining water by laying the beanie flat on a clean towel and rolling the beanie. Don’t roll the towel too tightly to avoid stretching and misshaping the material. Unroll the beanie and gently reshape accordingly.
How to dry a beanie
No matter what method you use to wash your beanie hat, you should always dry it flat by placing it on a dry towel. Do not tumble dry or use any external heat source on your beanie, as this can damage the knit, cause shrinking or matting.
Ta-da! Your favourite beanie is ready to keep you warm on your winter adventures again.