How to Shrink a Fitted Baseball Cap

If your fitted baseball cap doesn’t quite fit the bill, you’re going to need to shrink it. A fitted cap has a smooth back and contains your hair nicely, but these caps don’t allow for adjustments for those with heads that are in between sizes. But don’t let your hat become a hassle. Instead, shrink your baseball cap so it molds to your head and provides a more custom fit.

Hats Off to the Spray Bottle

Fill a spray bottle with water and tighten the lid.

Place the cap upside down on a clean surface. Spray the inside band along the bottom of the hat. Next, spray the hat’s body with anywhere from six to 10 spritzes. Do not saturate the hat with water -- light spritzes are sufficient.

Flip the hat upright. Spray along the bottom of the hat all the way around until you reach the bill on either side. There’s no need to spray the bill -- this will not help your hat fit any tighter. Give the top of the hat five to six spritzes, as well.

Turn on your hairdryer to its highest setting. Put your fist inside the hat and let it sit on your hand. Hold the hairdryer 6 to 12 inches away from the hat and blow-dry the cap all the way around.

Flip the hat over and place it on a flat surface. Point the hairdryer around the inside band for an even amount of time. This is the area that you need to shrink the most; the band is what should fit snugly around your head.

Place the cap onto your head. Finish the drying process like this; the heat will help mold the cap to your head size.

Steam It to Size It

Fill a medium-sized pot with water and place it on the stove. Turn the heat to high until the water boils. Turn off the stove.

Hold the cap by the brim about 6 inches away from the pot's steam. Allow the steam to penetrate the inside of the cap and the band for about 30 seconds.

Take the cap away for another 30 seconds. Repeat steaming the hat and taking it away about four times. Be careful not to directly steam the bill.

Turn your hairdryer to high heat. Place your fist in the cap, and hold the dryer about 6 to 12 inches away from the hat. Dry the outside top quickly. Flip the hat onto a flat surface and quickly dry the band and inner top.

Place the hat on your head. If it feels loose, continue drying it on top of your head so the heat can help mold the cap to your head size.

Tips

If you are only interested in shrinking the headband, cover the hat's inside with a plastic bag and tape it to the sides.

Warnings

Never put your hat in the dryer as it will lose its shape.

Do not submerge your entire cap in water.