Steam causing spots?

**hkjrb623** · 24th January 12, 03:43 PM

I recently received a wool economy kilt from stillwater. They just started offering these. Pressing out the wrinkles was no problem considering that it's wool, but I noticed afterward that where steam hit it in some places that it caused almost a shadow effect. I of course pressed from the inside of the kilt, didn't use outrageous heat, and made sure everything was clean. The only thing I can think of is that it may be left over oils in the wool that was not cleaned properly. Maybe a reaction with the dyes used? It's really not easily noticed, but I know it's there. Other than that I'm very happy with the kilt for the price I paid. Another great knock-around at the least. I just wanted to see if anyone has seen this before. I tried to take pics, but it's so barely there that it doesn't show on film. You have to look very hard in just the right lighting to see it. I didn't notice it until I was under very bright lighting, and even then my wife didn't notice until I pointed it out.

**Tartan Tess** · 24th January 12, 03:53 PM

Did you put a pressing cloth between the kilt and the iron?
If not that might be what you see. It can scorch the wool fibers.
Next time try a pillow case between and spray lightly with a spray bottle.

**Chas** · 24th January 12, 04:10 PM

My first thought was pressing cloth. My second thought was - What is the quality of your water? None of us drink "pure" water, there are always some salts and minerals and maybe fluoride and other things in there. Although it is not cheap, try using "steam iron" water. It does make a difference.

Regards

Chas

**Geoff Withnell** · 24th January 12, 07:08 PM

Another possibility is the steam is being out an "invisible" stain. Sometimes small amouts of things like white wine will leave a residue on the fabric that is not visible, because it is transparent or nearly so. Heat, or sometimes dry cleaning will change the composition of the residue, and it is no longer transparent. This is why sometimes dry cleaning makes a stain worse.

**Dixiecat** · 24th January 12, 07:24 PM

Everyone who's posted so far is essentially correct about what can leave stains on your fabric while pressing. I think from what you describe you either have something inherent in the wool, something from how it was handled after weaving or during sewing, but most likely it's a reaction with the sizing. Sizing is a coating that many weavers use to make the fabric run through the machinery easier. It's possible that the sizing wasn't completely removed from the fabric afterwards. Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of a sizing issue is to wash or dry clean the garment.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sizing
scroll down to textile warp sizing

**RAF** · 24th January 12, 07:36 PM

All good pointers. Especially the press cloth.
I have one more observation to make. I would ask you - when was the last time you cleaned/descaled the iron?
You can use regular tap water in the iron, but the mineral deposits build up and can cause stains (I ruined a brand new white dress shirt for this very reason), so regular cleaning of the iron is necessary. Just follow the manufacturers instructions.

**hkjrb623** · 24th January 12, 11:00 PM

I only use purified water in my iron due to the possibility of scale or build-up. I definitely think that something was left on or in the fabric from the factory. I should be able to clear it up. I really like this kilt and would hate for something to be seriously wrong with it. I did use a press cloth, by the way. I think the heat brought out something in the wool itself. Thanks for the input, I was at a loss.

**mookien** · 25th January 12, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by hkjrb623

I only use purified water in my iron due to the possibility of scale or build-up. ... I did use a press cloth, by the way. I think the heat brought out something in the wool itself. Thanks for the input, I was at a loss.

If by "purified" you mean "filtered", then that is insufficient to eliminate minerals in the water that may cause discoloration on/of the wool. If that is the case, try "distilled" water which does not contain any minerals. But, in any case, good luck.

**Bugbear** · 25th January 12, 12:44 AM

A memory popped into my mind from long ago. Star washed one of Panache's wool Stillwater kilts the first time a long time back, and reported that a lot of dye came out in the water and had an odd smell, if I remember correctly. I think the dye colors of the wool were fine after that first wash, it was just extra stuff or something.

**Dixiecat** · 25th January 12, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by mookien

If by "purified" you mean "filtered", then that is insufficient to eliminate minerals in the water that may cause discoloration on/of the wool. If that is the case, try "distilled" water which does not contain any minerals. But, in any case, good luck.

It's a common misconception that distilled water is better than ordinary water. You are correct that distilled H2O does not contain minerals but because of that distilled water acts like an acid when in contact with metals. It will leach minerals out of the metal. I would never use distilled water in any iron as it will shorten the life of the iron. In fact, Rowenta issues a warning against using distilled water in their irons.

Ordinary bottled water low in calcium, manganese, iron, etc. is best.