Killing mold on felt hats

[Jerekson]

What is the best course of action for removing/killing mold that has taken hold on a fur felt hat? Currently trying to perform a rescue on two Resistol Stagecoachs that were exposed to water for several days. As of this writing, I have the afflicted party drying out on the carpet a little ways away from a baseboard heater, with the lining removed and the sweatband flipped out. Besides that, this is a new process for me.

Maybe a spray disinfectant?

Much obliged.
J

 

[belfastboy]

What is the best course of action for removing/killing mold that has taken hold on a fur felt hat? Currently trying to perform a rescue on two Resistol Stagecoachs that were exposed to water for several days. As of this writing, I have the afflicted party drying out on the carpet a little ways away from a baseboard heater, with the lining removed and the sweatband flipped out. Besides that, this is a new process for me.

Maybe a spray disinfectant?

Much obliged.
J

mold only exists where there is water/moisture and a food source. It can likely feed off the felt but if you rid the hat of a water source mold cannot thrive. Sounds as though you have it handled. Once dry, give it a good brush. If there is any lingering odour give it a spritz with either cheap vodka (don't waste the good stuff) or vinegar. The vinegar odour will linger for a few days then eventually go away. The vodka leaves no odour. Make sure you are not storing your hat in a damp environment......the dampness is moisture and often enough for it to grow on.

 

[shopkin]

140 F to 160 F heat for thirty minutes will kill mold AND kill the mold spores so it is less likely to come back quickly. Breathing mold spores can cause serious respiratory problems.

On some ovens the digital thermostat will not go below 165 F but fur felt can handle temperatures up to at least 200F.

 

[Weatherman]

What is the best course of action for removing/killing mold that has taken hold on a fur felt hat? Currently trying to perform a rescue on two Resistol Stagecoachs that were exposed to water for several days. As of this writing, I have the afflicted party drying out on the carpet a little ways away from a baseboard heater, with the lining removed and the sweatband flipped out. Besides that, this is a new process for me.

Maybe a spray disinfectant?

Much obliged.
J

I found a vintage borsalino at a flea market and I got it for $7. It had obviously gotten wet and there was quite a bit of mold on the felt and on the leather band. I found a Hatter I believe in Spokane and sent it to him to see if it could be fixed. He was able to give it a bath in dry cleaning solution or Naptha but he ended up having to replace both the liner and the leather sweatband. It ended up costing me a total of $80 which included shipping so I have $87 into this hat but it is in beautiful condition now.

 

[belfastboy]

I found a vintage borsalino at a flea market and I got it for $7. It had obviously gotten wet and there was quite a bit of mold on the felt and on the leather band. I found a Hatter I believe in Spokane and sent it to him to see if it could be fixed. He was able to give it a bath in dry cleaning solution or Naptha but he ended up having to replace both the liner and the leather sweatband. It ended up costing me a total of $80 which included shipping so I have $87 into this hat but it is in beautiful condition now.

Naptha works well to clean felt. If I am charged with restoring a hat I always remove the leather sweat band and liner. The naptha is too harsh for those items and I clean them separately with the appropriate solution. Naptha tends to remove the print from the liner and harms the leather. This is important for a hat you want to save the provenance which is usually contained in the sweat & liner .....logo/brand etc.

 

[Weatherman]

Naptha works well to clean felt. If I am charged with restoring a hat I always remove the leather sweat band and liner. The naptha is too harsh for those items and I clean them separately with the appropriate solution. Naptha tends to remove the print from the liner and harms the leather. This is important for a hat you want to save the provenance which is usually contained in the sweat & liner .....logo/brand etc.

Yes, the Hat I had restored, he sent the original sweatband back in a ziplock bag but it was completely coated in mold and not serviceable in any way. The Hat itself was not one of their top brands but I do collect Borsalino hats and it was a good looking hat so I didn't mind having the sweatband replaced with a new, high quality leather sweatband. I have seen other threads where the sweatband was retained for historical purposes. I am wondering however where you find Naptha to clean the hats?

 

[belfastboy]

Yes, the Hat I had restored, he sent the original sweatband back in a ziplock bag but it was completely coated in mold and not serviceable in any way. The Hat itself was not one of their top brands but I do collect Borsalino hats and it was a good looking hat so I didn't mind having the sweatband replaced with a new, high quality leather sweatband. I have seen other threads where the sweatband was retained for historical purposes. I am wondering however where you find Naptha to clean the hats?

I am in Canada, I buy it as Coleman Camping Gas. In the US it might be labelled 'White Gas'

 

[shopkin]

If a small amount of naphtha is needed for spot cleaning, Ronson Lighter Fluid used in the old Zippo-style cigarette lighters is naphtha. It is still available in smoke shops and some drug stores. I use Klean Strip brand of VM&P (varnish makers and painters) Naphtha in quart or gallon size from the corner hardware store.