Hats in heat!!

[Al]

Hello, my fellow hat people. It's been a while since my last post, I'm back.

I'm planning to store my over 70 or so fedora hats in my garage, where temperatures during summer can reach 100 degrees. Would my hats be OK there? My wife is threatening to throw me out of the house if I can't find a place to store them outside the house. I don't want a new wife. Please HELP!!

All hats are in original boxes.

 

[suitedcboy]

The temp shouldn't be a problem as I wear felts regularly o 100 degree days. Bugs and mildew would be what I think are your risks.

 

[Frunobulax]

I wouldn't do it. they often caution you not to leave a felt hat in a hot car. While not as hot, the prolonged exposure might not be such a great thing.

 

[hatsRme]

My guess is that the heat will adversely affect (dry out?) the leather sweatbands. AND the risk of bugs would be even more unnerving. Couldn't you set up the garage so that SHE could sleep there?

 

[rogerstg]

No problem, just air condition the garage. It's less expensive than a new wife.

 

[Al]

My guess is that the heat will adversely affect (dry out?) the leather sweatbands. AND the risk of bugs would be even more unnerving. Couldn't you set up the garage so that SHE could sleep there?

Best idea yet.

 

[FedOregon]

Can you finish off the garage like another room of the house with air conditioning, and seal it up so no bugs can get in? Maybe put some red cedar pieces in the boxes to try and keep the moths out?

 

[Al]

Can you finish off the garage like another room of the house with air conditioning, and seal it up so no bugs can get in? Maybe put some red cedar pieces in the boxes to try and keep the moths out?

red cedar pieces, great idea. Or, moth balls maybe?

 

[FedOregon]

Moth balls as long as they are kept away from the actual felt. My grandmother put mothballs in a drawer with some clothing and getting the smell out was a real pain. Cedar is a natural smell and not so overpowering.

 

[Lean'n'mean]

The problem with keeping anything in a garage are the temperature swings, not only seasonal changes, baking hot in the summer, freezing in the winter but also the differences between night & day temperatures which cause condensation to build up, which in turn encourages mold. So, insulate your garage, put in reversible A/C, install a dehumidifier in the cooler months & a humidifier in the summer (to prevent the sweatbands from drying out) ensure through ventilation, deal with creepy crawlies & rodents that will want to eat the felt,, air the garage from time to time, & regularly treat the leather sweatbands with conditioner ....oh, & storing them in boxes ain't a good idea in those conditions, they would be better having free air flow & it will be easier to check them over.......even with all those precautions there is still a risk you may lose a few hats if you're storing them long term.

 

[Hurricane Jack]

...red cedar pieces, great idea.

You can buy bags of American red cedar shavings at Lowes or Home Depot. I always sprinkle some in my hat boxes when I store them in the off season. I've used cedar blocks & rings before but the shavings just work better & are cheaper. You can throw them away after use & they haven't cost you much money.

But I would never store my hats in a garage even if it was climate controlled.

 

[GHT]

Or, moth balls maybe?

Have you ever tried castrating a moth? It's not easy.

 

[rogerstg]

Have you ever tried castrating a moth? It's not easy.

You just need someone to hold the wings.

 

[emigran]

is your garage a car garage or hat appropriate...

 

[RJR]

Have you ever tried castrating a moth? It's not easy.

 

[GHT]

is your garage a car garage or hat appropriate...

Is it a British phenomenon to leave and expensive car parked out on the drive because the garage is stuffed full of valueless junk, or do other nations do this too?

 

[Frunobulax]

Is it a British phenomenon to leave and expensive car parked out on the drive because the garage is stuffed full of valueless junk, or do other nations do this too?

Oh, I think that's universal...

 

[RJR]

Oh, I think that's universal...

AMEN!!!

 

[Will Whetstone]

Living in Tucson Az I know about heat and the adverse affects on Hats. I collect high end panama's and Stetson vintage hats. I rub all my sweatbands with mink oil or a good quality saddle soap then keep them in an air tight bag or on a hat stretcher or mold. I am having a problem finding leather sweatbands for vintage French quality berets. any one's help would be helpful.