cleaning and storage

[wsevans3]

looking for tips on best ways to clean my kilt and store it when not being worn. many thanks

[GrainReaper]

You can spot clean little mishaps with just a bit of water and some dabbing, you can carefully clean one with a bit of baby shampoo and cool to tepid water in your bathtub too, lay it flat and walk on it carefully to clean the wool, rinse the same way and then press the water out between towels on the floor being mindful of the pleats. Another option is basting the pleats and taking it to a knowledgeable dry cleaner who can properly clean and press a kilt.

Storage wise I use the two hanger method, fold kilt in half, use two clip style hangers (I get mine cheap at IKEA) and clip them to the waistline on both sides and fold both halves together and hang up.

[wsevans3]

many thanks!!

[GrainReaper]

I hope the hanger description made sense, a picture would have helped... But alas I haven't one handy. I could take one if you need one

[Mikilt]

As I have a mortal fear of moths, in addition to keeping my space clean, I keep mine in "The Vault"

Hung on hangers, inside a pillowcase, inside a suit bag, inside a hanging linen garment bag with cedar inside and out.

[wsevans3]

no it made sense no problem. i appreciate it.

[Mikilt]

I hope the hanger description made sense, a picture would have helped... But alas I haven't one handy. I could take one if you need one

Is this what you mean? This is the way I do it.

[GrainReaper]

Is this what you mean? This is the way I do it.

That's exactly it! I knew I saw it somewhere here, I never had luck scoring free hangers from stores but I found nice wood ones from IKEA for like a dollar each that work great! As for moths, here in luxurious Lake in the Hills, they aren't allowed in city limits, we prefer to keep out the insect riff-raff LOL

[Pleater]

If you have a mark or spill, lay the kilt on a towel, marked side down, then take a sponge or cloth and a bowl of warm water with a little drop of liquid soap or shampoo mixed in, then wet the sponge, squeeze it out so it is not dripping wet and then dab the area to push water through the fabric taking the mark with it into the towel.

When the mark is gone move to a new area of towel and use warm water only to rinse out the fabric.

Do not rub the fabric or pull it across the towel as that will alter the finish of the fabric.

To finish off, put the wet fabric between dry towels and press on it.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Pleater]

No, no basting, but I make my kilts, and I am terribly 'something with initials' about the process. I press in the pleats until you could shave with them and sew up with a Vernier calliper to hand.
The top edges of the aprons are made 'wonky' so as to pull the fabric into the correct three dimensional shape to stop the vertical edges rolling out.
I take off the leather straps and buckles before washing.
The pleats aren't disturbed much in the process. I might lift up the front apron to deal with marks or stains on it but the kilt stays kilt shaped, so even though the fell isn't sewn it stays as it was made.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: