Cleaning Question

[Ray-Vigo]

What is the preferred in-home method of cleaning up a fur felt hat?

I have an orange hat sponge unopened still. Once you open them how long are they good for/ how many uses do you usually get? Are they for just dust, or do they get other stains too?

I've heard of people using Naptha on the hats. Do you spot clean with that using a rag or the like?

Thanks

 

[GWD]

For Dust, use the sponge and invest in a good hat brush.

For grease, grime, stains, and smells I fill a 5 gallon bucket with either Naphtha or Coleman Fuel and let it soak for at least 24 hours. Let it air dry in a well ventilated area. Then brush it counter clockwise. The sweatband will have a white residue usually. Use a good leather conditioner SPARINGLY on the sweat, such as Lexol.

Warning too much conditioner could have really bad effects on your sweat.

See below,

 

[johnnyphi]

Good Lord!

GWD... If this wasn't such a disturbing photo, I would compliment you on the boldness of the sweatband, contrasted with the Whippet label in the background.

For Dust, use the sponge and invest in a good hat brush.

For grease, grime, stains, and smells I fill a 5 gallon bucket with either Naphtha or Coleman Fuel and let it soak for at least 24 hours. Let it air dry in a well ventilated area. Then brush it counter clockwise. The sweatband will have a white residue usually. Use a good leather conditioner SPARINGLY on the sweat, such as Lexol.

Warning too much conditioner could have really bad affects on your sweat.

See below,

 

[GWD]

Words can not describe the horror I felt as the sweat on my newly acquired Whippet slowly shriveled up and died in front of my eyes.

 

[Ray-Vigo]

These are spots from storage-- actually no sweat stains on the band or anything. It's like a dusty-crud kind of mix.

I'm in an apartment, so a bucket full of naptha isn't a good idea, but maybe I'll try the hat sponge out, or try a spot clean with naptha. I don't think it's bad enough to warrant submerging in lamp oil or naptha.

 

[carter]

OUCH !!!!

Gary, Those images are seared into my mind. I may not sleep for weeks. Oh the Horror!

I know many of us feel your pain. :cry:
Who knew leather conditioner could do this.
Luckily, this is correctible in the hands of a skilled surgeon.

I need a drink. :beer: