Wearing While Active

• If you live in a region with a very warm climate, simply wearing the hat in the late spring and summer months can be enough to make the hat shrink to fit, especially if you are active while wearing it. Your own perspiration will moisten the cap, which will then shrink once you move to a cooler, drier location. Getting your hair wet first can help. However, there are definite side effects to this method, as the hat will be left with white spots of dried perspiration along the outside and it will begin to smell bad. If you choose to shrink the hat this way, you will likely need to have it professionally dry cleaned once you have it at the correct size.
  
  

Soaking the Hat

• If you want to moisten the cap in something other than perspiration, lukewarm water works best. Soak the hat in water from the sink with both knobs turned on, then slip the cap on and wait for it to dry. You will have to deal with lukewarm water trickling down your face and back, which can be less than pleasant. If you have any round-shaped object that is close to your head size, like a bowl or small-sized soccer or basketball, you can place it on that and wait for it to dry. Don't put the hat in the clothes dryer, as it will likely shrink down too small for you.
  
  

Warning

• It should be noted that some baseball hats don't shrink as easily any more. Many hats are made of a wool/acrylic blend with wool making up a lower percentage of the material. Major League Baseball's line of official team hats is now made of polyester instead of wool so they will shrink the absolute least, if at all. Check the tag on any cap before purchasing it to see what it is made of. If it is unlikely to shrink, you may be better off getting the next size down if it will fit you.