Care of a Tilley hat

A couple of ITN subscribers recommended the Tilley hat (May ’14, pg. 37 & Sept. ’14, pg. 47). About four years ago I purchased a hat from Tilley Endurables (800/363-8737 or 716/822-3052, www.tilley.com). It’s olive-green, and I wore it often, including on trips to the Galápagos, Costa Rica and elsewhere.

Unfortunately, I sweat a lot, and after about a year a stain had developed, seemingly due to the rusting of the brass grommets. The orange-brown mottled stain encircles the hatband and more.

I tried using SHOUT stain remover and washing the hat but had only limited success in removing the stain.

I do like my Tilley hat, and it is not worn out at all, but my wife wants me to wear it only when doing yard work around the house, not when we travel.

Inside the hat is a label that mentions all the conditions for which the hat is guaranteed for life, and about three years ago I called Tilley Endurables and inquired. This sweat-stain issue is not covered under the guarantee.

JAMES G. McDONALD

Alexandria, Virginia

Mr. McDonald sent the above information to ITN in May 2014, and ITN emailed Tilley Endurables at tilley@tilley.com on his behalf. Due to certain issues, Mr. McDonald was not able to carry through on the correspondence until recently, when Tilley Endurables sent him a response saying the following. 

The problem with the hat was caused by the nonwashing of the hat. (I give recommendations below.)

As for the grommets, they are made of British brass and became tarnished, not rusted. In addition to the instructions given on our website*, we recommend the following for tarnished grommets. 

To clean them up, a little plain white toothpaste seems to do the trick. It will even clean up the fabric around the grommets if the green has spread to the fabric. 

To prevent the green/tarnish, some Tilley folks have had luck applying clear nail polish to the grommets. It may need to be reapplied every so often.

Regarding general cleaning, the best way to wash your hat is by hand in cool or cold water, using a mild baby shampoo. Beware of bleach, whiteners or brighteners, as they can discolor the hat to a mustard-yellow.

Apply the shampoo directly onto the stain. Using a soft scrub brush will help with the removal of the soil or perspiration. Do not put your hat in the dryer; air-dry it over a bowl to prevent it from shrinking, then reshape and smooth the hat by hand.

If you wear your hat a lot, we recommend that it be washed at least once a month. The sweat is what weakens the material around the band. The longer the sweat sits there, the more it weakens the fabric.

Under Tilley’s lifetime guarantee, we will replace any Tilley hat should it rip, fray, tear, mildew or shrink. You would just send us your worn-out hat plus a shipping-and-handling fee.

Also, Tilley hats (except Kids Toppers) purchased at full price are insured for the first two years against loss, theft or destruction and will be replaced at 50% of the current catalog price plus shipping and taxes.

DEBBIE, Tilley Endurables, 3176 Abbott Rd., Building A, Orchard Park, NY 14127

*On the www.tilley.com home­page, under “More Information,” click on “World’s Best Hat,” then on “How to care for your hat.”