You've invested in a quality cap. Now make it last. Embroidered caps — especially those with 3D raised embroidery, suede visors, or corduroy fabric — need a bit more care than a plain cotton cap. Here's the complete guide to keeping your Girafits cap in the best condition.
Cleaning your embroidered cap
Hand wash only. Never put an embroidered cap in a washing machine. The agitation damages the embroidery stitching, can crush 3D raised designs, and distorts the structured crown. Always hand wash.
Cold water only. Hot water shrinks fabric and can cause colour to bleed, particularly in caps with contrast panels or coloured embroidery thread. Cold water is always safe.
Mild detergent. A small amount of mild detergent — the kind you'd use for delicates — is all you need. Avoid harsh detergents or bleach on any cap.
Spot clean where possible. For small marks or stains, spot cleaning with a soft damp cloth is always preferable to a full wash. Target only the stained area and dab rather than rub to avoid spreading.
The sweatband. The inner sweatband is usually where buildup occurs with regular wear. Clean this gently with a soft cloth and mild soapy water. Rinse thoroughly.
Drying your cap correctly
Never machine dry. Heat from a dryer will shrink the cap, distort the crown, and can melt foam padding in 3D embroidery.
Air dry in shape. After washing, gently reshape the crown while the cap is still damp and place it on a rounded object — a rolled-up towel, a small bowl turned upside down, or a purpose-made cap form — to maintain the shape as it dries.
Keep out of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight during drying can fade colour, particularly on corduroy caps like the Woozy series or coloured cotton-suede caps.
Caring for specific Girafits materials
Corduroy (Woozy series — Forest Drift, Golden Hour, Bone Daylight): Corduroy has a directional pile that can flatten with wear. After washing and air drying, gently brush the fabric with a soft clothing brush in the direction of the pile to restore the texture.
Cotton-suede visor (Keep Hustling, Keep On Believing, Wanderer): The suede visor should not be submerged. Clean it gently with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid getting it fully wet as suede can stiffen and lose its texture when soaked and dried.
Denim (Girafits Core Denim Cap): Denim caps can handle slightly more robust cleaning than suede or corduroy, but still hand wash only. The leather patch should be wiped clean with a dry cloth only — no water on leather.
Performance/water-repellent caps (Adventure Awaits, Drifting Soul, Performance series): These caps are designed to handle moisture so cleaning is straightforward. Hand wash in cold water. The water-repellent coating is durable but harsh detergents can degrade it over time — stick to mild detergent.
Storing your cap
Store in shape. Don't stack caps or crush them. Store each cap individually with the crown supported. A shelf works well. If you're storing multiple caps, cap racks are worth the small investment.
Away from direct light. Extended exposure to sunlight — even when not worn — can fade fabric colour over time. Store in a cool, dark space.
Travel. If you're packing a cap for travel, place it at the top of your bag or on the outside of your luggage where it won't be compressed. The structured crowns in Girafits caps hold their shape well but sustained compression under heavy items will distort them.
A well-cared-for cap lasts years. These are not disposable accessories — they're pieces worth maintaining.
