How to clean a spot on a vintage hat?

[dzacca]

Looking at the photos from the Royal Stetson I just won on eBay I saw a spot on the brim:

How can I safely clean the brim of this vintage hat without sending it to a professional hatter?

 

[John in Covina]

On the Spot

It really depends on what made the spot.

Here is a hat sponge that works a lot like an eraser.
http://www.villagehatshop.com/hat_sponge.html

A kit with sprays:
http://www.villagehatshop.com/bickmore_hat_care_kit_light.html

Another cleaner as a powder:
http://www.rods.com/p/5696,12_Scout-Spot-Remover-for-Hats.html

Depending where you are, most hat shops including western hat shops, like the Boot Barn will carry some or all of these. Just noticed you are in Italy, try the hat shops there and ask about similar products.

I believe there is a great amount of cleaning advice scattered thru the threads in hats, you should take a peek at the Felt Hat basics sticky near the top of the list, good advice there, maybe some cleaning advice. And use the search botton on the top right hand side.

Use caution when cleaning, if you do too much on a spot you can damage the finish of the hat. So little by little and bit by bit is the best advice.

 

[dzacca]

Thank you very much for your support John

Unforunately I have no hat shops nearby... I'll probably need to wait my next trip to Milan or Genoa.