Your authentic Washein wayuu hat is known for its weave and flexibility and can be formed into the shape that suits you through hand shaping. For your hat to maintain its original shape, pick up or handle it by the brim, or by cupping the crown with an open palm. Try to not pinch it by the crown. When resting your hat on a flat surface, place it facing up to maintain brim shape.

Our hats should never be rolled. If you do so, cracking in the straw will likely appear.

Lastly, avoid wearing your straw hat in the rain. Mawisa palm leaf straw will withstand light moisture, but a soaking might cause it to get brittle once dry.

Our hats are easy to clean. Wipe down the hat with a soft, lint-free, tightly-woven cloth (to prevent catching or snagging). You may also try a moist facial or baby wipe. If your hat still isn't as clean as you’d like, a small amount of mild soap and water should do the trick.

Note: Do not get a straw hat too wet or it may get brittle after drying.

If your hat loses its shape due to heavy rain or an unfortunate mishap (it happens!), try to reshape it a couple of different ways. First try to bring it back to shape by simply adjusting the brim and crown with your own hands, slowly and delicately until it regains its shape. If this does not work, hold the hat in steam over boiling water and mold the hat back into shape. A blow dryer – on a low heat setting – can be used to dry the hat as you are reforming its shape.

Note: Do not get a straw hat too wet.

When storing your hat, use the dust bag the hat came in and maintain it on its brim on a flat surface. If you own several Washein hats, you can stack them or store them on top of one another. Without pressuring, simply let it rest crown within crown by placing the smallest hat beneath. Ensure that the brims of the lower hats are not weighted down and misshapen.

Your authentic Washein straw bag is known for its weave and flexibility. Your bag will maintain its original shape even after long periods of usage. Simply carry it from the handles or straps and avoid very heavy items inside. When resting your bag on a flat surface, place it on its base, avoid laying it on its sides on rough surfaces as this may damage the natural straw fibers.

Straw bags should never be rolled or bended significantly. If you choose to bend your bag slightly do not leave it bended for long periods of time as this promotes cracking.

Moisten a white cloth or old t-shirt with cold water. Wring thoroughly to remove excess water. Wipe the bag gently with the damp cloth to remove surface dirt. (If all the dirt left and you are happy, stop here!)

If any dirt persist, mix two to three drops of dish soap or baby shampoo into a basin filled with cold water to start cleaning the straw of your bag. Wring the water out of the cloth, until the soft material is damp to the touch. If the cloth is dripping wet, the straw can soak up the excess water and create a permanent stain.

Apply the suds from the soapy water to the dirty areas of the straw with the cloth. To prevent tearing the sensitive straw fibers, avoid rubbing the bag vigorously.

Rinse the white cloth again with cold water to remove any soapy residue from the baby shampoo or mild liquid detergent. Wring the cloth to ensure the material is free from soap. 

Wipe gently the wet area of the straw bag down with the clean damp rag in the direction of the weave.

Note: Before wiping it entirely with a damp cloth.test for the handbag's colorfastness on the inside edge or bottom of the purse.

Warning: Never submerge your straw bag in water.

To shield your bag from dust and dirt, use the dust bag we provide. If not using it, then avoid too much sun exposure and strong light. In addition, avoid getting your bag wet and make sure you keep heavy items out of it.

Make sure that you store straw bags far from heaters, and avoid areas with too much humidity. If you have more than one, you can stack one inside the other.