Hat Storage and Cleaning
The first step in caring for your hat is to put the hat in a proper box that can be stacked and stored in your closet.   Some hats need to be reinforced with tissue paper in order to keep their shape.  Do not store more than one hat in a hat box unless it can be done without crushing or distorting the hats in any way.  If a hat has elegant netting or other decorations, it is best to store the hat by itself.

In Houston, you can find sturdy cardboard hat boxes at Garden Ridge Pottery and Tuesday Morning.

Crushed and distorted hat

Improper storage is the culprit for the condition of the green hat pictured above.  If you cannot find a millinery to reshape your distorted hat, the How To Care For Your Hat links below have some suggestions you might want to try.  If your hat needs cleaning, try to find a dry cleaners or millinery to do the job.  Alternatively,  the links below will give you some guidance on how to clean the hat yourself.  

A hat can last for generations if given the proper care. Of course, the hat must also be of good quality.  A cheap, poorly-crafted hat will not withstand the test of wear, tear and time.  But a good, pampered hat will be a delight to you, and perhaps even to your daughter or granddaughter.