Getting the stink out of Panamas

[mattface]

This was my first summer with a panama, and it's developed a stink. I've tried washing it multiple times in lukewarm water with everything from dish soap to laundry detergent. It helps, I can't totally remove the stink. I did have some success soaking it with an enzyme cleaner that's designed for "pet odors" but the smell comes back after one wearing. Although it was a relatively inexpensive Panama, I hope to be able to get more than one summer out of it. I do sweat a lot, and I have to wash my fabric caps either in the washing machine, or in the sink with laundry detergent, at least every couple weeks, but I've never had a problem with felt fedora's developing a stink. I think a big part of the problem is that the sweat in the panama is cotton.

Does anyone here have any other tips for getting odors out of toquilla straw/cotton sweats?

 

[barrowjh]

Need to clarify whether yours is a Montecristi llano weave natural (almost all of these are processed using sulphur smoke - they are placed in a low closed shed and a bowl of smoldering sulphur is shoved under the door) or was it processed though Cuenca, where both llano weave and brisa weave are finished with other processes that do not leave a strong sulphur odor. So, we really shouldn't give you a whole lot of advice until we get that clarified, because trying to get the sulphur odor out of toquilla straw that was intentionally processed with sulphur may permanently damage the straw, or make it more susceptible to future damage. The sulphur treatment is both a preservative and helped make the color more consistent (I think). There are a couple of members here from that region (Ecuador) and hopefully one of them will see this and give you some advice, more accurate information than I can provide.

 

[mattface]

Need to clarify whether yours is a Montecristi llano weave natural (almost all of these are processed using sulphur smoke - they are placed in a low closed shed and a bowl of smoldering sulphur is shoved under the door) or was it processed though Cuenca, where both llano weave and brisa weave are finished with other processes that do not leave a strong sulphur odor. So, we really shouldn't give you a whole lot of advice until we get that clarified, because trying to get the sulphur odor out of toquilla straw that was intentionally processed with sulphur may permanently damage the straw, or make it more susceptible to future damage. The sulphur treatment is both a preservative and helped make the color more consistent (I think). There are a couple of members here from that region (Ecuador) and hopefully one of them will see this and give you some advice, more accurate information than I can provide.

I'm pretty sure it's a Cuenca hat. It's one of Panama Bob's $40 specials. THe hat itself has a light grassy odor which is in no way offensive, but the after-market sweat odor I added just won't seem to come out.

 

[barrowjh]

Hopefully someone will offer helpful comments, I don't have an answer.

 

[monbla256]

I'm pretty sure it's a Cuenca hat. It's one of Panama Bob's $40 specials. THe hat itself has a light grassy odor which is in no way offensive, but the after-market sweat odor I added just won't seem to come out.

It's probably the cotton sweat. Have not had that problem with mine and I sweat alot as well, but have had a problem with a series of Cuencas Bob got with vegatable dyed black leather sweats that bled onto the straw and I contacted Bob and he sent a replacement hat without the Black dyed sweat (this one had a natural leather sweat, no dye) and all is well. Check with Bob.

 

[zetwal]

This was my first summer with a panama, and it's developed a stink. I've tried washing it multiple times in lukewarm water with everything from dish soap to laundry detergent. It helps, I can't totally remove the stink. I did have some success soaking it with an enzyme cleaner that's designed for "pet odors" but the smell comes back after one wearing. Although it was a relatively inexpensive Panama, I hope to be able to get more than one summer out of it. I do sweat a lot, and I have to wash my fabric caps either in the washing machine, or in the sink with laundry detergent, at least every couple weeks, but I've never had a problem with felt fedora's developing a stink. I think a big part of the problem is that the sweat in the panama is cotton.

Does anyone here have any other tips for getting odors out of toquilla straw/cotton sweats?

Are you saying that the sweatband only smells bad? Or are you saying that the straw smells bad too?

 

[mattface]

Are you saying that the sweatband only smells bad? Or are you saying that the straw smells bad too?

I think it's the cotton sweat band.

 

[johnnycanuck]

Stick it into you freezer for a day and see if that helps.
Johnny

 

[mattface]

Stick it into you freezer for a day and see if that helps.
Johnny

REALLY? That sounds too easy, but OK here goes nothing.

 

[mattface]

Stick it into you freezer for a day and see if that helps.
Johnny

You know I think that may have really worked! Time will tell if the smell comes back next time I wear it, but for now it seems much better. THanks!

 

[johnnycanuck]

Some raw jeans are not meant to be washed. So what they do is stick them in the freezer. The smell comes from living bacteria that can't survive in those temeratures. Kill the bacteria kill the smell. Hope that helped you.
Johnny

 

[mattface]

that's very clever!

I'm aware of the raw denim phenomenon, but I'm a slob. I don't think I could get through a week without spilling some food on my pants. I wash my jeans.