Straw hats are ideal for protecting the head and shielding your face from the sun's harmful rays. A straw hat provides a lightweight barrier between your face and the elements. However, after a season of being stored, you may find your hat squished or misshapen from being shoved into a closet or having something placed on top of it. Straw hats are resilient. If you want to save your favorite hat, all you need are a little time to shape the hat, time for it to dry and some objects you have around the house.
Fill the hat with a bowl then place it right side up on a hard surface.
Using a steamer or the steam setting on your iron, run along the misshapen part of the hat as close as you can get it without allowing the steamer or iron to touch the straw. Steam the straw until it is damp. If you don't have a steamer or a good steam iron, try using steam from a pot of boiling water. This can be tricky because you have to avoid burning your hands. A thick pair of garden gloves or oven mitts will give you some protection, but steam can still seep through if you hold it too close to the boiling water. Hold the hat over the steam until the straw is damp then quickly place a bowl or other round object inside.
Smooth the hat around the bowl with your hand to help form the shape. Gently reshape the rest of the hat by hand.
Place a heavy object over the brim to keep it flat and from curling up. Allow the hat to thoroughly dry before wearing it.