The cap is part of the military uniform in many countries. It has a rigid structure and clear outlines. After washing, the product may become deformed, then the headdress will no longer look so neat. The problem can be solved. To do this, you need to know how to beat off an army cap to return it to its original appearance. There are several effective methods, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
What is a beat?
Initially, the cap holds its shape well, but can lose it after the first wash, so beating is a popular method of restoration. The process involves the use of various tools and compounds to restore the rigidity of the structure. Beating a cap can be done using starch, a regular iron, sweet water and other substances.
The methods are not complicated, so any of them can be used at home. As a rule, the soft part of the headdress is deformed, the visor rarely changes its shape. Processing the material takes from 30 minutes to several hours (depending on the chosen method). All straightening methods are accessible, the main thing is to follow the sequence of actions, only then will knowledge of how to beat off an army cap bring a positive result.
Washing
Considering that headwear in most cases loses its original appearance after washing, it is extremely important to know not only how to shape a cap, but also how to properly care for it. There are two washing options: hand and dishwasher. The first method is more labor-intensive, but allows you to control the process from start to finish.
In the army, manual processing is most often used. When using this method, it is important to consider the type of fabric from which the headdress is sewn. Based on its characteristics, the cleaning solution and water temperature are selected.
Military caps are made of materials that cannot be washed in hot water, so the temperature should not exceed 40 degrees. First, visible dirt is removed from the surface. The easiest way to do this is with a soap solution.
It is highly recommended not to wring out a military cap, as the shape may deform even more. A faster method is to wash it in a dishwasher. If you choose this method, you must follow several rules:
- do not use stain removers containing chlorine;
- place the cap only on the top tier of household appliances;
- When removing heavy stains, soak the item for at least 20 minutes.
The advantages of washing in a dishwasher are that the hat is fixed in one position. It does not move around in a circle, as happens in a washing machine, and therefore cannot be deformed. After washing, it is necessary to straighten the cap and put it in a horizontal position. It is permissible to use a three-liter jar so that drying is uniform.
Getting back into shape
There are different ways to beat a cap. Each method has a different degree of effectiveness, duration and level of complexity. The most popular methods are considered to be processing with starch, steam, sweet water and beer.
Iron
Usually hats are not ironed, but in order for the cap to restore its original shape, you can use an iron. You need to put it on the narrow nose of the ironing board, iron through two layers of gauze and steam it well. The board can be replaced with an ordinary large three-liter jar. It is important to monitor the degree of steam supply, the blow of which should not be too strong, otherwise the glass may crack when using the jar. If possible, it is better to replace the iron with a steamer.
If the cap visor is deformed, it can be carefully hammered off through a thick cloth or several layers of gauze. It is recommended to carry out the entire procedure on a cutting board so as not to damage the furniture.
Starch
There are several ways to starch a cap yourself. The degree of starching can be low, medium or high. The last option is suitable for army caps, as it provides a high degree of rigidity. To treat the headdress with starch, you need to:
- dilute 2 tablespoons of powder in 1 liter of water;
- place the cap in the solution for 5-10 minutes, the visor should not be in the liquid during this time;
- Using light movements, squeeze the material slightly, thus removing excess moisture;
- put the product out to dry.
Any cap should be straightened after washing. This is necessary to avoid creases. To enhance the smoothing effect, it is recommended to use a regular three-liter jar. Thanks to this method, starched headwear will keep its shape much longer.
You can use not only potato starch, but also rice and corn starch.
Sugar water
Sweet water fixes the shape of any headdress well. To beat off an army cap in this way, you need to dilute granulated sugar in warm water and stir it until it dissolves completely. You should get syrup.
The water temperature should not exceed 45-50 degrees Celsius. You should use regular, crystallized, refined sugar, but without any additives. Brown cane sugar is not suitable.
Sweet water is applied to the army cap using a sponge. When the material is already well soaked, the headdress is straightened and put on a jar or a ball of suitable size. In this form, the product must be left until completely dry.
Shaving foam
You can smooth out the cap with shaving foam. This simple method involves applying the composition to the surface of the headdress in large quantities. In order for the material to become a little more elastic and pliable, it must be completely wet. Therefore, before processing, the product is dipped in a basin of warm water.
For convenience, put the cap on a three-liter jar, and then generously apply shaving foam to the headdress. After the composition has completely soaked the fabric, the cap should be left on the jar until it dries. After several hours, remove the remains of the shaving foam with a dry rag.
Beer
Regular light beer will also work to straighten an army cap. It should be used in such quantity that the item is completely covered with liquid. Beer is poured into a basin or a large saucepan, then the item is placed inside and thoroughly soaked in liquid for 30 minutes. After that, the material should be wrung out a little, without twisting the headdress under any circumstances, smooth the surface, put it on a form (a can, a mannequin, a ball) and hold for 30 minutes. Further drying is carried out on a flat surface.
Special spray
Modern chemicals make it much easier to restore the shape of a hat. If a person does not know how to straighten a cap, or does not want to use sweet water, shaving foam, beer, then the best choice would be a ready-made special spray. Most often, it contains starch. This method of smoothing the product is characterized by maximum speed and simplicity.
To beat off an army cap, you need to treat the headdress with a spray, put it on a pre-prepared form, for example, a three-liter jar or a ball of the appropriate size, smooth it out, giving it the desired shape, and leave it until it dries completely. Usually, such sprays do not contain chemicals that can cause an allergic reaction.
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