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How to stiffen a raffia hat?
Straw hats, paper fiber caps or raffia headgear - accessories made from natural materials to protect the head from the sun can lose their original shape. While raffia hats stand out from natural straw or paper straw headgear thanks to their optimal robustness and flexibility, it can be useful to harden them to preserve their shape over the years. Specializing in the manufacture of natural raffia accessories, IBELIV offers you its best advice on how to stiffen a raffia hat and care for this timelessly charming headgear.
Why stiffen a raffia hat?
It's hard not to fall for the authentic style of the raffia hat... This headgear adds that missing touch of naturalness to your outfits, while providing lightweight protection from the sun without feeling hot.
Have you finally incorporated this trendy fashion accessory into your wardrobe? Looking for tips on how to keep its shape over time? Raffia is a strong, supple material that guarantees the longevity of your headgear. You can be sure of keeping it intact for a long time to come, unlike a straw hat, which has little resistance to the test of time.
Even so, certain precautions must be taken to avoid a change in the shape of the cap or brim of a raffia hat. In fact, during use or storage, your hat may lose its original shape. Exposure to humidity, folding of the hat, pressure exerted on the hat in a restricted storage space - the plant fibers of your headwear are sometimes put to a severe test.
The safest ways to stiffen a raffia hat: 3 safe practices for your headgear
There is no single method or solution for stiffening a raffia hat. Some suggest applying starch to harden the fiber of the raffia hat. Others advise you to use a colorless varnish to restore rigidity to a deformed raffia hat. However, as specialists in natural raffia hats, we prefer not to make such suggestions, as these are sensitive methods which, if poorly executed, could damage your favorite fashion accessory. Starch and varnish are therefore best avoided.
In this article, we'll point you in the direction of the safest practices for keeping your hat's shape intact. It's up to you to select an approach that suits your hat's initial condition and your needs!
Method 1: Fill your raffia hat with newspaper
Looking for a solution to keep your hat rigid when stored in your wardrobe? We've got a tip to share with you to meet your needs. Stuffing your hat with newspaper when you're not wearing it is a simple and effective solution for keeping this product in shape. This way, the hat retains its bouncy appearance at the crown.
Method 2: lightly moisten the hat with a spray bottle
Over time, raffia hats can soften. In this case, the simplest and least risky solution to stiffen them is to use a spray bottle to lightly moisten the hats affected by this phenomenon. Here's how to proceed:
- Spray the cap and brim evenly with water.
- Leave the hat to dry out of direct sunlight on a clean, flat surface.
Method 3: Use steam to reshape your raffia hat
If your hat is already deformed, you'll need to soften the fibers sufficiently to gently reshape it. Steaming your hat is one way of restoring flexibility to the fibers, making it easier to handle and shape. Here are the steps to follow to implement this solution:
- Hold the hat above the hot steam so that the fibers absorb the moisture and are easier to reshape.
- Restore the hat to the desired shape by handling it gently.
- Once the correct shape has been obtained for the cap and edges, let it dry naturally on a clean, flat surface. It will regain its natural rigidity.
Note: to expose the hat to steam, you can use a garment steamer or heat water in a saucepan.
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Care and preservation of rigidified raffia hats: our expert advice
Stiffening your raffia hat isn't the only precaution you can take to prolong its life and retain its shape. Regular cleaning also helps to keep this fashionable product intact. The good news is that caring for a raffia hat is easy and doesn't take long. Here are our tips for caring for your hat made from natural Madagascar fiber:
- Maintain regularly with a slightly damp sponge.
- If necessary, add a little neutral-colored soap to remove stubborn stains or dirt.
Are you a raffia hat fan looking for more tips on how to keep your favorite headgear in tip-top condition? You've guessed it: keeping your raffia hat intact year after year is well within your reach. Unlike the flimsy straw hat, the natural raffia hat is made to last. With its supple yet robust material, this handmade product has all the properties needed to see you through the years. Just be careful where you store it and what products you use to care for it. IBELIV guides you every day to find the right raffia accessories for your needs and keep them in good condition over time. Visit our blog to read all our tips.
See also our hats guide.