Wash your Wax cotton / Oilskin cap

A complete guide to properly washing headwear. How to wash and maintain your oilskin cap or hat. Hunting caps like flatcaps and basecaps in waxed cotton should be treated and washed properly.

Oilskin material properties

Wax cotton / Oilskin is a cotton cloth dipped in melted oil, wax or beeswax, to produce a waterproof, yet still breathable garment. We use it for outdoor caps, and love its progressive patina. We use it for our outdoor caps, and love oilskin caps for their progressive patina and outdoor look.

Positive

Quick patina
Strong fabric
Water repellent
Breathable
Rejecting dirt

Negative

Need regular care
Bleaching in sunlight
Heavy
Low absorbency

Wax cotton caps need to be treated with new wax periodically. They are either lubricated with original beeswax or a mixture of natural oils and linoleum. Wax cotton is also known as oilskin cotton.

Only clean the oilskin cap if necessary and use a cold damp cloth to sponge wipe persistent areas of dirt. Never user detergents or hot water, since it will melt the wax out of the fabric. Never use detergents or hot water, as it melts and dissolves the wax which should remain in the fabric.

A cap in oilskin should be smeared in wax at regular intervals. Therefore, in order to retain the water-repellent properties of the substance, the material must be regrown. Stop by an outdoor food store and ask for a wax treatment product. The need for gene waxing depends on how much the cap has been used, as well as in what environment. In general, we recommend that it is done once or twice a year.

Waxed cotton is in general a durable fabric, which means it is suitable for brushing in case of removing dust or cake mud. However brushing will also remove some of the wax from the surface on the cotton, transferring wax from cap to the bristles of the brush. Unfortunately, brushing a bit of wax from the surface of the cotton is removed.

How to wash and clean wax cotton caps

Clean only if necessary
Always use ONLY cold water without soap. Warm water and soap will pull the wax out of the cotton.
Do not rub clean.
Avoid the hat being in direct sunlight or laying prolonged at any type of heat source. This will melt the wax.
Re-wax the cap once or twice a year.

Please note: Cleaning oilskin caps may affect/remove the qualities of the wax.