Kilt Brushes

[Riverkilt]

Wool needs to be brushed out after wearing - standard advice even for business suits. Brushing removes all sorts of "stuff" we acquire as we go about kilted.

Realized I've been brushing out my kilts with a little brush that came with my old Gizmo steamer. It works, but don't know if its best.

Poked around on line and just found the standard, old fashioned, horsehair and nylon bristle clothes brush - the one with a sort of figure 8 head and long handle.

A good brushing extends the life of wool. Brushing with the "wrong" brush could cause some damage...?

Any suggestions on the best type of brush to use to keep wool kilts clean?

Thoughts drifted to a Sgian Don't that was a small brush, or kiltmakers giving away kilt brushes with their advertising on the handle.....or....a free kilt brushing booth at games, staffed with lovely ladies, offering to brush out your kilt while you stand there and purr like a kitten being petted...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Ron, believe it or not, when I come back from a week-end at the games I spread my kilt out on the bed and use a "dust buster" on it! It seems to be the best way to get dust, pollen, and stuff out of the fabric. I also have one of those lint brushes that only brushes one way, and when I'm on the road I use that between day 1 and day 2 of the games.

[sydnie7]

OK -- edited to provide an object lesson on "not trusting Sydnie's memory" -- a lesson that Bob learned early on LOL

This statement is accurate: Years ago, I purchased what was described as a classic valet's clothing brush. I believe it came from the Vermont Country Store catalog, but I can't find the item on their current website.

Description edited for accuracy: The bristles are very fine gauge brass wire (or at least brass-color) about 1.5 - 2 inches long. Somewhat stiff, but bend in an arc as you brush. Long wooden handle, brushing surface is perhaps 6 x 1 inches at the bristle end.

Working on: I'll post a picture later.

Sydnie

[longhuntr74]

Same site that Barb posted a few weeks back for tailor supplies such as tailor's canvas, clapping block, pressing ham, etc.

B. Black and Sons

[sydnie7]

Aha! And there's my lint brush: Link

Thanks, one of these days I will make the pilgrimage to B. Black but I tend to forget about their website for anything much beyond fabric.

Manhatten Wardrobe is another treasure-trove of fabric care, catering to the live theater community.

[ThistleDown]

Whisks were made for just this purpose. Like miniature corn brooms the stalks have just the right amount of flexibility to tease the wool and then cause it to lie in the chosen direction. They feel good to use, too. If you prefer to hang your kilt then do so and sweep downwards in short, even strokes. If you use a linen press, as I do, you must lay the kilt on a hard surface such as a table for brushing before you put it away.

[seanachie]

Aha! And there's my lint brush: Link

Thanks, one of these days I will make the pilgrimage to B. Black but I tend to forget about their website for anything much beyond fabric.
.

Thanks for the information. I ordered one tonight. I found a few on EBay but elected to go with one endorsed by members, no worries with it being a good one.

[Tartan Hiker]

This is a wonderful thread. I have to admit that I don't brush my wool as often as I know I should.

If there is someone out there that is willing, proper brushing tools and techniques should be described and/or videotaped and added to the "Member-written articles" forum.

[BLHS209]

Well, this is the first I have heard of this. As I mention to the "newbies", you always can always learn something new here. (This shows how many wool suits I have)

And the price for the brush is very reasonable. Thanks for the thread Riverkilt and thanks for the links.

Chris Shepherd

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Be sure to brush the underside of the kilt as well as the outside.