Wool Kilt from eBay

[Moses]

I am getting a kilt bought off eBay. I do not know how it was cared for by the original owner.

I do know it is wrinkled, I do know it was hand-stitched, also that it is of 8+ yards, and made of either 13 or 16oz wool from Lochcarron about 1997 – I was able to chat with the kilt maker.

If it fits and is in good shape I will need to do at least some cleaning and ironing.

I have never even threaded a needle so basting is not an option for me personally and also I am very nervous about washing it. I want to be careful but I am afraid it should be really cleaned.

So I believe I should take it to the cleaners. Does anyone know about one in the Detroit metro area? I do know to tell them no pressing.

Also I am hoping, in ironing my kilt, I might just get away with the apron. I can do some basic ironing but again it's not my forte and am not confident. Is there a chance the weight and mill of the wool will help me out?

Any advice is helpful. I have read a bit about it but just hoping for some tips from the forum.

[MacRob]

I am getting a kilt bought off eBay. I do not know how it was cared for by the original owner.

I do know it is wrinkled, I do know it was hand-stitched, also that it is of 8+ yards, and made of either 13 or 16oz wool from Lochcarron about 1997 – I was able to chat with the kilt maker.

If it fits and is in good shape I will need to do at least some cleaning and ironing.

I have never even threaded a needle so basting is not an option for me personally and also I am very nervous about washing it. I want to be careful but I am afraid it should be really cleaned.

So I believe I should take it to the cleaners. Does anyone know about one in the Detroit metro area? I do know to tell them no pressing.

Also I am hoping, in ironing my kilt, I might just get away with the apron. I can do some basic ironing but again it's not my forte and am not confident. Is there a chance the weight and mill of the wool will help me out?

My big concern with a used kilt would be moth holes, which would require reweaving to close. Other than that, send it to the dry cleaners. Dry cleaning, in my experience, works OK. I have never washed any of my kilts or needed to. They have not been cleaned very often either, because I am careful not to get them dirty. My understanding is that dry cleaning on a regular basis may result in deterioration of the straps, which I would think would also be the case with washing. In washing, the recommendation is to use cold water and "Woolite," do the job in your bathtub, hang on it a line, hose off the kilt with cold water then let it dry gradually. You do not need to baste the pleats no matter what you finally decide to do. In my experience with dry cleaning, the kilt comes back with the pleats in place. I have never specified "no ironing," when putting the kilt in the cleaners. Even if they are not in place, it should be simple, given that the sett is stitched into the rear of the kilt, to line them up and press them.

Disclaimer...while I have been wearing kilts for 35 years, I am not an expert on wool or making kilts. All I can give you is my personal experience. You are likely to get a lot more opinions on this question and some of them are probably going to be different from what I said. Anyway...good luck with the kilt. Wear it a lot, do not shut it up in a dark closet, unattended, during the summer months and you should be able to enjoy it for years.

[Moses]

My big concern with a used kilt would be moth holes...
Anyway...good luck with the kilt. Wear it a lot, do not shut it up in a dark closet, unattended, during the summer months and you should be able to enjoy it for years.

Thank you for your advice; it is the experience and different points of view that make this forum great!

I just got it in the mail yesterday and it looks great and the wrinkling was minimal. I can't tell if it is 13 or 16oz but it is very impressive nonetheless.

[plaid preacher]

The general consensus here is that dry-cleaners should probably be avoided. First the dry-cleaning solution strips the wool of its lanolin. But equally important, most don't know how to press a kilt and so your pleats will come back all messed up! Basting is important! Basting is important! .. and, in case you missed it, basting is important!

Two solutions you might like to try. First, try steming your kilt with a hand steamer.... you can pick one up at your local dept store for about $30 and it comes in handy anyway...but especially for your kilt. If you pleats are hanging more or less straight, that might be enough to freshen it up.

The second alternative would be to find a kilt buddy who will teach you how to baste. Then you just throw it on the tub with a little cold water ...and walk on it. Best way to clean ...apparently.

My thoughts.

Robert

[Moses]

The general consensus here is that dry-cleaners should probably be avoided...

...try steaming your kilt with a hand steamer.... you can pick one up at your local dept store for about $30 and it comes in handy anyway...but especially for your kilt. If you pleats are hanging more or less straight, that might be enough to freshen it up...

My thoughts.

Robert

Thanks Robert, I do appreciate your thought on this. I actually was wondering about steaming but was worried it might not be good for a kilt.

[Taskr]

You might consider contacting the Detroit Police and Fire P&D to get their recommendation on where to get it cleaned and pressed. Can't hurt to ask

[MacRob]

Thank you for your advice; it is the experience and different points of view that make this forum great!

I just got it in the mail yesterday and it looks great and the wrinkling was minimal. I can't tell if it is 13 or 16oz but it is very impressive nonetheless.

You are welcome. The difference between 16 oz. and 13 oz. is very noticeable when you have two kilts made of different fabric to compare. I only have one 16 oz. kilt and it is quite comfortable, even with the heavier weight. If you got the 16 oz. then you will find that it hangs better and keeps shape better with fewer wrinkles.

I see you have gotten a second opinion already. Just to restate, my experience is just that, my experience and others may have had other but what I have done has worked for me. My kilts are 34, 23 and 4 years old respectively, still look great and wear well. I have had no problems, including moth holes.