Golf Tutorials

How to Wash Golf Headcovers

By Spencer Lanoue
July 24, 2025

Nothing sours the look of a premium golf bag faster than a set of grimy, mud-caked headcovers. But keeping them clean is about more than just appearances, it's a simple act of maintenance that protects your expensive clubs from the very gear designed to keep them safe. This guide will walk you through the correct, safe, and surprisingly simple ways to wash every type of headcover you own, from genuine leather to your favorite knitted pom-pom cover. We'll cover everything from the best cleaning supplies to a step-by-step process that prevents damage and keeps your gear looking tour-ready.

Why Bother Washing Your Headcovers?

You might think, "They just cover the clubs, what's the big deal?" But neglecting them can lead to a few problems you a'd rather avoid. Think of it like a coach would: every piece of your equipment works together, and when one part falters, it can affect the others. Properly maintained headcovers are a small detail that contributes to the overall health of your set.

  • Prevent Abrasive Damage: Dirt, sand, and fine grit easily get trapped in the fabric or lining of your headcovers. Every time you pull a cover on or off, that trapped grit acts like fine sandpaper against your club's finish. Over time, this can lead to scratches and wear on the crown of your expensive driver or fairway woods.
  • Extend Their Lifespan: Quality headcovers, especially those made from real leather or premium polyurethane, are an investment. Dirt and moisture can degrade these materials, causing them to crack, peel, or fade. Regular, gentle cleaning preserves the material’s integrity so they last season after season.
  • Eliminate Mold and Odors: If you've ever gotten caught in the rain and quickly thrown your wet headcovers back in the trunk, you know the funky smell that awaits you next weekend. Damp, dark environments are a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. This not only smells bad but can introduce moisture to your club heads, potentially causing rust spots on steel shafts or inside the hosel.

Cleaning your headcovers is preventative maintenance. It's a simple task that takes just a few minutes but pays off by protecting your bigger investment: your clubs.

First Things First: Gather Your Supplies and Check the Material

Before you get started, a little prep work goes a long way. The washing method you choose depends entirely on what your headcover is made of. Bombing away without a plan can lead to a shrunken, cracked, or discolored mess. You wouldn't hit a shot without picking a target, so don't start cleaning without knowing your material.

Identify Your Headcover Material

Most headcovers fall into one of three categories:

  1. Leather or Polyurethane (PU) "Synthetic" Leather: These are the sleek, modern-looking covers that often come standard with drivers and fairway woods from major brands like Titleist, Callaway, and TaylorMade. Genuine leather will have a distinct, rich smell and a subtle, unique grain pattern. PU leather is more common, it feels smooth, sometimes a bit plastic-y, and looks very uniform. The cleaning process for both is nearly identical, focusing on wiping rather than soaking.
  2. Knitted, Fabric, or Woven: Think of the classic "sock" style headcovers, often with a large pom-pom on top. These are made from yarn, wool, or other fabrics and can handle a bit more water than their leather counterparts.
  3. Nylon or Canvas: These are durable, fabric-based headcovers that handle cleaning well. They often have printed logos and a texture similar to a backpack.

Gather Your Cleaning Toolkit

You probably already have everything you need. No fancy equipment is required.

  • A few microfiber cloths
  • A soft-bristled brush (an old toothbrush is perfect)
  • A bowl or bucket
  • Mild liquid soap (like Dawn dish soap) or a gentle laundry detergent (e.g., Woolite)
  • For genuine leather only: A quality leather cleaner and conditioner

The Step-by-Step Guide to Hand Washing (The Safest Bet for All Materials)

Hand washing is, without question, the best and safest method for all headcover types. It gives you complete control over the process, ensuring you don't damage logos, stitching, or the material itself. We’ll break it down by material type for a perfect result every time.

Washing Leather & Polyurethane (PU) Headcovers

The number one rule for these materials is to avoid saturation. You are surface cleaning, not deep soaking. Water can damage and stiffen genuine leather and cause the layers of PU leather to peel or bubble over time.

  1. Create Your Cleaning Solution: Fill a small bowl with lukewarm water and add just a few drops of mild dish soap. Stir it up to create some light suds. You want a weak solution, too much soap will be hard to remove.
  2. Wipe Down the Surface: Dip a microfiber cloth into the soapy water and then wring it out until it is just damp, not dripping. Gently wipe down the entire outer surface of the headcover. Go in small, circular motions.
  3. Detail the Nooks and Crannies: For stubborn scuff marks or dirt trapped in stitching and embroidered logos, dip your soft-bristled brush into the soapy water, tap off the excess, and gently scrub those areas. The bristles can get into places the cloth can't without being too abrasive.
  4. Rinse "Virtually": Take a second, clean microfiber cloth, dip it in fresh water (no soap this time), and once again, wring it out completely. Wipe down the entire headcover again to remove any soap residue. This is a critical step, as leftover soap can leave a sticky film that attracts more dirt.
  5. Dry Immediately: Use a third, completely dry microfiber cloth or a soft towel to pat and wipe the headcover dry. Don't let water sit on the surface.
  6. Condition (Genuine Leather ONLY): If you’re cleaning a genuine leather headcover, once it’s fully dry, apply a small amount of leather conditioner with a clean cloth. This replenishes the oils in the leather, keeping it soft and preVenting it from cracking. A little goes a long way. Let it sit for a few minutes, then buff off any excess with another clean cloth.

Washing Knitted & Fabric Headcovers

These materials are more forgiving and can handle a proper soak. This is the best way to get deep-seated dirt and sweat out of the fabric.

  1. Prepare the Soak: Fill a sink or bucket with cool to lukewarm water (never hot, as it can cause wool to shrink). Add a small amount of mild, color-safe detergent like Woolite and swish it around to mix.
  2. Submerge and Soak: Place your knitted headcovers into the water and gently press them down to fully submerge them. You can lightly agitate them with your hands, squeezing the soapy water through the fibers. Let them soak for 20-30 minutes. You'll be amazed at the color of the water afterward!
  3. Target Stubborn Stains: After the soak, take the headcover out and gently apply a drop of detergent directly to any lingering stains. Use your soft-bristled brush to gently work it in. Be very careful around any embroidered logos or delicate stitching.
  4. Rinse Thoroughly: Drain the dirty water and rinse each headcover under cool, running water. Gently squeeze the headcover as you rinse to work out all the soap. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and you don't see any more suds.

Can You Machine Wash Golf Headcovers? (The Risky Route)

This is a question I get asked a lot by students who are short on time. My professional advice is almost always to stick with hand washing. However, if you have a set of very durable, non-leather headcovers (like knitted or basic nylon), you *can* try machine washing with extreme caution.

Under no circumstances should you ever machine wash a leather or PU leather headcover. It will likely be destroyed - cracked, stretched, and ruined.

The Machine Washing Cheat Sheet for Fabric Headcovers ONLY:

  • Place the headcovers in a mesh laundry bag designed for delicates. This prevents them from snagging or getting overly stretched by the machine's agitator.
  • Wash on a cold, delicate/gentle cycle.
  • Use a very small amount of mild detergent. Absolutely no bleach.
  • Wash them with a load of other soft, bulky items like towels to cushion them during the spin cycle. Do not wash them with anything that has zippers, buttons, or velcro.

Drying Done Right: Avoid Shrinking and Damage

How you dry your headcovers is just as important as how you wash them. One wrong move here can undo all your hard work.

The Golden Rule: NEVER use an automatic clothes dryer.

The high heat of a dryer will melt synthetic materials, permanently crack leather, and shrink your knitted headcovers to a size fit for a junior set. Always, always air dry.

Drying Knitted & Fabric Headcovers

  1. Remove Excess Water: After rinsing, gently squeeze out as much water as you can. Never wring or twist the headcover, as it will permanently stretch the fibers and distort its shape. The best method is to lay the headcover flat on a thick, dry towel, roll the towel up with the headcover inside, and press down firmly to absorb the majority of the moisture.
  2. Reshape and Air Dry: Unroll the headcover and reshape it with your hands. To help it maintain its form as it dries, you can slide it over a plastic bottle or can. This helps prevent it from drying flat. Stand it up in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight or heat vents, to dry.

Drying Leather & PU Headcovers

This is much simpler. After you've wiped them dry with a towel, simply leave them out in a well-ventilated area to air dry completely. Again, avoid direct heat or sunlight that could cause the material to dry out and stiffen.

Be patient! Fabric headcovers can take 24 hours or longer to dry completely. Make absolutely certain they are bone-dry on the inside before putting them back on your clubs to prevent any risk of moisture causing rust.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your headcovers in top condition is an easy win for any golfer. It’s a simple process of identifying the material, using gentle hand-washing techniques, and allowing plenty of time for air drying. A little regular care not only keeps your entire setup looking sharp but also serves a practical purpose in protecting your clubs from long-term wear and tear.

Just like maintaining your equipment, confidence in your on-course decisions is an important part of playing better golf. If you find yourself second-guessing a club choice, feeling uncertain about strategy on a new hole, or staring at a difficult lie with no idea what to do, our app is designed to help. We created Caddie AI to be your personal golf expert, providing instant, tour-level advice right on your phone, so you can eliminate doubt and swing with conviction on every shot.

Spencer has been playing golf since he was a kid and has spent a lifetime chasing improvement. With over a decade of experience building successful tech products, he combined his love for golf and startups to create Caddie AI - the world's best AI golf app. Giving everyone an expert level coach in your pocket, available 24/7. His mission is simple: make world-class golf advice accessible to everyone, anytime.

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