Don't keep the lid on proper hat care, maintenance
As most of you know, I wear a hat most of the year. During the winter months, I wear a wide brim cowboy hat to keep the snow and rain off my neck and out of my face.
Several days ago I was stopped by Fred and during our conversation he asked about the proper care for cowboy hats, especially wide brim hats.
In this week's article I thought hat care would be a good topic because some of you may have gotten a wide brim cowboy hat for Christmas.
When handling a hat, never grab it by the crown. Many people make the mistake of doing this as they grab the hat and flip it on their head and adjust it.
The proper was would be to handle the hat by the brim and adjust it properly by the front and back of the brim.
Always be sure that before you handle a hat, your hands (especially fingertips) are clean of excessive oil and dirt.
This practice is very hard for me to follow because I'm always in a hurry and just grab my hat even though I know better.
The best and most secure place to store your hat is on your head; however, when storing it at night, place the hat upside down on its crown and placed in a storage box. Never store the hat laying flat on its brim.
Storing it on its brim will cause it to lose its shape. If it does lose its shape, it can be reshaped by using steam and then letting it dry at room temperature.
The more you wear a hat the more comfortable it will become because it will form to the shape of your head. Never leave your hat near a heat source because it will cause the sweatband to shrink making it too small for your head.
If and when your hat gets wet from rain and snow, turn out the sweat band and let the hat dry sitting on the sweat band.
Let your hat dry slowly, don't use a hair dryer to dry it, if you do, it will shrink.
And now for some cowboy wisdom:
1. Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
2. Don't squat with your spurs on.
3. Talk slowly, think quickly
4. Don't judge people by what they say but by their actions.
5. It's better to be a has-been than a never was.
If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), email them to madan@nwees.com or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864, Attn: What would Ed do? For more information about Ed, and his new Handiman Services, check him out at NWEES.COM.
n Copy written by Edmond E. Madan, certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation/restoration contractor. Ed is the president of Northwest Environmental Services, Inc.