Indians Cap Care: Keep Your '47 Clean Up Looking New

Start with what the cap is made of

The Indianapolis Indians '47 Adult Navy Home Clean Up Adjustable Cap is 100% cotton with an unstructured relaxed fit, a low crown, and a curved bill. That combination is comfortable but not built for a washing machine. Treat it as a spot-clean cap: address stains as they happen, keep the brim’s curve intact, and store it so the crown doesn’t collapse.

The cap is officially licensed and one size fits most, with an adjustable fabric strap and snap buckle. Because there’s no structured front panel, the fabric can soften and lose shape if it’s soaked or wrung out. The routine below is built around that limitation.

Spot-clean the crown and bill

Work in a sink or basin with cool water and a drop of mild detergent. You’re cleaning the surface, not submerging the whole hat.

1. Brush off loose dirt: Use a soft brush or a dry cloth to lift dust from the cotton and the embroidered eyelets before wetting the fabric.
2. Dab, don’t scrub: Apply a small amount of mild soapy water to a cloth and blot the soiled area. Scrubbing can fuzz the cotton and disturb the raised embroidery.
3. Rinse with a clean damp cloth: Wipe away soap residue with a cloth rinsed in cool water. Leave the cap to air-dry at room temperature, away from direct heat.
4. Check the brim before drying: The bill is curved, so press it back into shape with your hands while it’s still damp. Do not wring or twist the cap.

Handle sweat stains at the band first

Sweat and skin oils collect along the inner band and the lower edge of the crown. Catch them early, before they set into the cotton.

• Blot fresh sweat: Press a dry cloth against the band to absorb moisture as soon as you take the cap off.
• Treat the band with a damp cloth: Wipe the inner band with a cloth dampened in cool water and mild soap, then wipe again with clean water.
• Let it dry open: Set the cap on a clean surface with the crown open so air can reach the band. Avoid drying it on a radiator or in direct sun.

Reshape the curved bill and relaxed crown

The Clean Up’s curved bill and unstructured crown are what give it the relaxed look, so shaping is mostly about protecting what’s already there. After spot-cleaning, support the crown from the inside with a clean towel or a small ball of cloth, then smooth the fabric with your hands. Leave the cap to dry in that shape.

If the bill has softened, curve it gently with your fingers while damp and let it dry that way. Avoid folding the bill or stacking heavy items on the cap, which can leave creases in the cotton.

Store the snapback so it keeps its fit

The adjustable fabric strap and snap buckle are the most vulnerable parts to repeated bending and pressure.

• Loosen the strap before storing: Unsnap the buckle and leave the strap relaxed so the fabric doesn’t take a permanent kink.
• Keep the crown supported: Store the cap on a shelf or hook where the crown isn’t crushed. A clean, dry place is enough; avoid damp basements or hot car dashboards.
• Don’t hang it by the bill: Hanging the cap by the curved bill can distort its shape over time. Use a hook that supports the back of the crown instead.

What the catalog confirms

• Indianapolis Indians '47 Adult Navy Home Clean Up Adjustable Cap: 100% cotton, low crown, unstructured relaxed fit, curved bill, adjustable fabric strap with snap buckle, one size fits most. These details explain why the cap should be spot-cleaned rather than machine-washed and why the bill and strap need gentle handling.

  

• Indianapolis Indians '47 Adult Navy Home Clean Up Adjustable Cap: Officially licensed, with raised embroidery, a sublimated pattern, six-panel construction, and embroidered eyelets. The embroidery and eyelets are surface details that benefit from dabbing rather than scrubbing, and the eyelets help the cap air-dry.

What to avoid when washing a baseball cap

The supplied product record does not include washing instructions, so treat any machine method as unsupported. For this cotton, unstructured cap, avoid soaking the whole hat, using hot water, and putting it in a dryer. Heat and agitation can shrink cotton, soften the bill, and break down the snap buckle’s fabric strap.

If the cap needs more than spot-cleaning, hand-wash it gently in cool water with mild detergent, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry it in shape. That is a general approach for cotton caps, not a manufacturer instruction for this specific hat.