INVENTIONS : New Gadget Solves Problem of Cleaning Grungy Baseball Caps

Commercial plumber David Fortney had a problem: He had a large collection of baseball caps, but they were so soiled and grungy that his wife wanted him to throw them out.

Instead, he came up with a trick to make the caps look as good as new. Placing them over hat forms he made out of wire coat hangers, he washed them along with the usual glasses and plates in the dishwasher. The result is his new invention: Ball-Cap Buddy.

The product, which has been on the market since January, prevents the caps from being torn apart or flattened out during a wash, said Hal Finney, Fortney’s business partner in Wild Injun Products in Laguna Niguel.

“They come out all together,� he said. “They aren’t ruined.�

Each hat is placed over the frame, which is snapped shut, and is washed in cold water, then air-dried. Caps also can be cleaned in a washing machine.

The plan is to sell the hat forms in sporting goods shops and drugstores, and through mail-order catalogues. Ball-Cap Buddy will be available at Longs Drug Stores in southern Orange County, Saddleback Suzuki in Lake Forest and Whiz Kids in Newport Beach. The suggested retail price is $9.95.