How to Clean Your Akubra Hat
A little bit of care goes a long way
An Akubra is made to be worn. It's built to handle the South African sun, a bit of dust, the odd shower and whatever else you happen to throw at it. But even a good hat needs a bit of TLC now and then.
Whether your Akubra has picked up some dust on the road, a few marks from a hard day's work, or simply needs a bit of a freshen-up, cleaning it properly will help keep it looking good and doing its job for years to come.
And the good news? You don't need anything fancy.
What You'll Need
For a basic clean, keep it simple.
A soft-bristled hat brush
A clean, soft cloth
A little water if needed
Your Akubra
No harsh chemicals. No scrubbing brushes.
Step 1 — Give It a Good Brush
Start with a dry hat.
Use a soft-bristled hat brush to gently remove loose dust, dirt and debris from the felt.
For felt Akubras, brush in a counterclockwise direction, following the natural grain of the felt.
Take your time and work around the whole hat.
Pay a little extra attention to areas that tend to collect dust, such as around the brim and crown.
Tip:
If you've just come back from a dusty day out, don't reach straight for the water.
Give it a good brush first.
You might find that's all it needs.
Step 2 — Dealing With Marks and Stubborn Dirt
Before reaching for anything abrasive, start with a clean, damp cloth. Gently dab and wipe the affected area, taking care not to soak the felt. Often, that’s all it takes to lift a bit of surface dirt or grime.
If the mark is still hanging around, it’s time for a little more elbow grease.
For small, stubborn marks, grab some fine sandpaper and gently work over the spot using small, circular motions. Keep the pressure light — you’re only removing the very top layer of felt where the dirt has settled.
For really stubborn grime, a fine pot scourer can do the trick too. Make sure it’s clean and use a light touch, working over the mark gradually. A few gentle passes are much better than going at it like you’re scrubbing a camp oven!
Once the mark has lifted, give the area a good brush with your soft hat brush to blend the felt back in.
The golden rule? Easy does it. Your Akubra is built for a bit of rough and tumble, but there’s no need to attack it like a madman. 😉
Step 3 — Let Your Hat Dry Naturally
If your Akubra gets damp while you're cleaning it, let it dry naturally.
Keep it somewhere cool and dry and allow plenty of time for the felt to dry completely.
Avoid direct heat.
That means no hairdryer, heater, radiator or sitting it in the blazing afternoon sun to speed things up. Too much heat can cause the felt to shrink and can affect the shape of your hat.
Put it somewhere safe and let it sort itself out.
What About Rain?
Your Akubra can handle a bit of rain. In fact, they're designed to cope with wet weather better than many other types of hats. If your hat gets wet, simply shake off any excess water and allow it to dry naturally.
Don't wring it out, squeeze it or try to dry it with direct heat.
And if the brim or crown has lost a little of its shape after getting wet, don't panic.
That's where a little reshaping can come in handy.
What NOT to Use on Your Akubra
When it comes to cleaning your hat, less is more.
Avoid using:
Household cleaning products
Bleach
Harsh detergents
Abrasive brushes
Washing machines
Hairdryers or direct heat
Your Akubra doesn't need a chemical clean.
A gentle brush and a little patience will usually do the job.
Got a Really Dirty Hat?
If your hat has seen some serious action and has picked up stains, grease or other stubborn marks, it's probably best not to start experimenting with cleaning products.
You don't want to turn a small problem into a bigger one.
For heavily soiled, damaged or badly stained hats, consider having it professionally cleaned or refurbished.
Sometimes it's better to leave the tricky stuff to someone who knows their way around an Akubra.
Keep Your Akubra Looking the Goods
The easiest way to keep your hat clean is to give it a little attention regularly.
A quick brush after a dusty day is far easier than trying to remove months of built-up dirt later.
Store your hat somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, and avoid leaving it sitting where it can get crushed or misshapen.
And most importantly... Wear the bloody thing.
An Akubra is made for getting out there.
It's going to pick up some dust. It's going to see some weather. It's going to develop a bit of character.
That's all part of it.
A Hat That Tells a Story
The odd mark and bit of wear aren't necessarily something to worry about.
They're part of the story.
Your Akubra might have travelled dusty roads, sat around a campfire, spent a day in the saddle or simply been your go-to hat for years.
That's what they're made for.
Give it a regular brush, clean it gently when it needs it, let it dry naturally and look after it properly.
Do that, and your Akubra will be ready for whatever comes next.
Because a good hat isn't meant to stay pristine.
It's meant to be worn.
Looking for the right brush for your Akubra
👉 Shop here
And if your Akubra needs a little more attention, or you're not sure how best to clean a particular mark, give us a shout.
We're always happy to help with advice on cleaning, care and keeping your Akubra looking the goods.
📞 Grant - 082 316 4845
📞 Mandie - 084 373 9603
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