I have a bunch of "straw" summer hats for church. Some of them have

[hedgehog]

spots or what look like watermarks on them. Any ideas for cleaning them?

[eleny]

1. I've never cleaned a straw hat but was curious and found this

"From How to Clean Everything by Alma Chesnut Moore

Keep them well brushed and they will be damaged less if caught in the rain. To clean them, wipe with a cloth dipped in warm suds, made with a synthetic detergent or soap. Rinse with a cloth wrung out of plain water. Do not get a straw hat too wet or it may shrink.
Limp straws can be stiffened by brushing them over with a light coat of clear shellac, diluted with an equal amount of alcohol. To brighten the color and renew the gloss of dark straws, rub them with a dark cloth dampened with alcohol, diluted with one quarter the amount of water, then polish them lightly with a piece of dark-colored velvet."

http://www.villagehatshop.com/cleaning-straw.html

[hedgehog]

2. I will try that. I kow if they get too wet, the sizing rinses out and the hat is ruined.

[eleny]

3. They must be nice hats for you to want to revive them

I'll always remember the Easter straw hat I had as a kid. It had a bunch of cherries on the side. I loved it.