Beanies are likely the most wearable, stylish, and cozy hats right now. There's something so cute about wearing a beanie and looking as snug as a bug in a rug — especially if yours has a faux fur pompom. But, how often should you wash your beanie? If you're wearing your beanie constantly throughout fall and winter, you'll definitely want to know when it needs a wash.
Hats can be tricky to know when to wash; it's not like they're in constant contact with your skin (aside from your forehead). So, unlike underwear, bras, socks, or T-shirts — which will likely need washing much more regularly due to being in close proximity to areas that get sweatier or dirtier than your noggin, AKA your pits, feet, and butt — it can be difficult to gauge when your beanie hat is dirty. Of course, if you perform a sniff test and it reeks, that's a clear sign that your beanie is way overdue a wash. Plus, if there's residual makeup from your forehead on the inside of your beanie, that too, is a given that it needs to be cleaned.
But what about if you want to wash your beanie hat on the regular, before it gets to the gross, whiffy, makeup-stained stage?
According to Real Simple's When-to-Wash-It Handbook: Winter Edition, hats, gloves, and scarves should be washed three to five times per season. Corinne Phipps, the founder of Urban Darling, a San Francisco wardrobe-consulting firm, tells Real Simple, "Think about the facial oil, makeup, and perfume buildup, plus the germs you pick up with gloves," plus Real Simple also advises to hand wash knits. It's definitely worth taking into account the material of your beanie hat and if it requires any special attention.
Speaking with Glamour, Elaine Cella, a fiber scientist at Procter and Gamble, says winter hats should be washed every few weeks. According to Glamour, "...our bodies seem to always be giving off something: throughout a day the average person produces 10 grams of dead skin flakes, 40 grams of oil, and a liter of sweat. Combine that with what's elegantly termed 'body soil' (e.g., dandruff, earwax, tears, urine, and sweat), and it's no surprise that your clothes are probably filthier than first imagined." It's enough to make you want to throw your beanie in the wash the minute you walk through your front door!
Megan Gustashaw writing for GQ, tells readers, "Don’t forget to wash winter hats, scarves, and gloves about once a month during the cold season. Just think of how many places they’ve been, and you’ll understand the need."
So according to the experts, it appears beanie hats should be washed at least once a month. Although, if you're literally wearing your beanie every day, or you wear face makeup each time you wear your beanie, once a week would be more hygienic, IMO. However often you end up wearing your beanie, make sure to wash it correctly so as not to ruin its shape or size — because nobody wants a tiny, lopsided beanie hat!
Images: Getty Images (4)
