New Kilt Owner Advice

**Kerdy** · 11th January 13, 09:00 PM

I apologize if this has been covered in another areaalready, but I was wondering what basic advice you would give to the brand newowner of a kilt to ensure he doesn’t make any mistakes in the care andmaintenance of his new garment.

**TurboKittie** · 11th January 13, 09:29 PM

Most important things -

Congratulations! Wear it well!

If there are weird threads, often in a bright or noticeable colors on the lower pleaty part of the kilt, these are basting threads to keep the pleats from going wonky. Carefully remove them before wearing you kilt in public.

The pleaty part goes in back.

The rest is all a matter of taste and how one may view the past.

**mookien** · 11th January 13, 11:36 PM

1. Follow the directions that should have come from the kilt maker.

2. Unless you have an accident and get something on the kilt, you don't have to do a lot. Avoid the temptation to "clean" your kilt after routine wear. I mostly lay them out (inside out) overnight, and then hang them to air out. It's amazing how many wrinkles simply fall out - disappear.

3. Don't dry clean a kilt. If you feel you have to do so, make sure you find a dry cleaner that knows how to clean and press a kilt. I can't begin to tell you how to find a such a dry cleaner. Hopefully, others on the forum can.

Finally, good luck.

**Germankilter** · 12th January 13, 12:00 AM

Wear it with pride and often. Visit the newbie section and search for one kilt worn 10 ways. Both really good places to start. Other then that ask away folks here are pretty easy going and are good at pointing out where to go if they can't answer the question directly.

**Pleater** · 12th January 13, 02:24 PM

If you need to leave your kilt for some time, roll it up, put it into a plastic bag, roll some cardboard around it so no one tries to fold it and place it in the freezer, as it will then be safe from wool eating beasties, nesting mice, dogs, cats and the like. Do not trust to cedar or lavender for protection. When you need it again, lift the roll from the freezer, allow it to defrost, remove the cardboard and plastic bag then allow it to air thoroughly for a couple of hours.

There is nothing worse than finding your expensive wool has been ruined by something wishing to bring up its young in style and comfort.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Piipriker** · 12th January 13, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by mookien

3. Don't dry clean a kilt. If you feel you have to do so, make sure you find a dry cleaner that knows how to clean and press a kilt. I can't begin to tell you how to find a such a dry cleaner. Hopefully, others on the forum can.

I tested my dry cleaner with a cheap PV kilt. After it came back OK I let them clean my wool ex-hire Black Isle. They did every time a great job. And I had to pay just 6.50 € for the cleaning.

**Tartan Tess** · 12th January 13, 07:13 PM

Hang it inside out to let it air dry if it feels a little damp.
And stay away from mustard

**Riverkilt** · 12th January 13, 07:51 PM

Get a hand steamer to unwrinkle the pleats as needed.

**TheOfficialBren** · 12th January 13, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

If you need to leave your kilt for some time, roll it up, put it into a plastic bag, roll some cardboard around it so no one tries to fold it and place it in the freezer, as it will then be safe from wool eating beasties, nesting mice, dogs, cats and the like. Do not trust to cedar or lavender for protection. When you need it again, lift the roll from the freezer, allow it to defrost, remove the cardboard and plastic bag then allow it to air thoroughly for a couple of hours.

There is nothing worse than finding your expensive wool has been ruined by something wishing to bring up its young in style and comfort.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Seriously? Freezer? That's a neat trick! Thanks, Anne.