So I washed my UK tan cord . . .

**andyfg** · 27th August 06, 07:17 AM

So I washed my UK tan cord kilt. Now this is probably not a big deal, but I was a little nervous. I followed the instructions on the sheet you get with the kilt, hung it to dry smoothing the pleats. I have to say it worked perfectly! It needed a little ironing, but to be honest not much. The kilt looks (and feels) great. Slightly softer than before. So, for any Xmarkers who have a UK and have worried about washing it, I would say give it a go! And thanks to the folks at UK for making such a great product.

Still have not had any of my tartan kilts cleaned. Hmm, different prospect altogether as I've heard horror stories about disastrous pleats etc.

**NewKilt** · 27th August 06, 01:50 PM

Just one thing I want to mention about washing a UK Workman's. The UK Workman kilts are 100% 12 oz cotton duck. These will fade somewhat when you wash them. I noticed this on my Carmel Workman's. Pure cotton will tend to fade, so if you want to preserve the depth of color on a Workman's you might want to consider dry cleaning. Then again, if the fading doesn't bother you, you can always get some dye and restore the color at some point.

Darrell

**andyfg** · 27th August 06, 02:58 PM

Darrell, Thanks for the tip. I have a UK mocker on order. I guess that also may fade with washing.

**Raphael** · 27th August 06, 03:36 PM

I don't see the point of preserving the colour of a Workman at all. My black one is not long black, but I really don't care much about it. It just tells people that my kilt is well worn and is not for that special occasion.

**andyfg** · 27th August 06, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

I don't see the point of preserving the colour of a Workman at all. My black one is not long black, but I really don't care much about it. It just tells people that my kilt is well worn and is not for that special occasion.

Yes, I agree. If wearing kilts is the "new jeans," ie. functional, hard wearing, comfortable, then a faded kilt is fine. But I suppose there are kilts for more dressy occasions where a faded kilt (even a UK mocker) might not work.

**O'Neille** · 27th August 06, 04:19 PM

I've talked to a kilt maker (Kathy Lare), her husband is a museum conservator. She does not recommend dry-cleaning real wool as it strips the oils from the wool and they loose a lot of their loft and softness. From my point of view, do a search on the toxicity of dry cleaning chemicals and you wouldn't want to have anything to do with them. Her husband recommends Woolite and a quality wool brush. She says this doesn't strip the oils. Do a search and you'll find what works for others. O'Neille

**Blu (Ontario)** · 27th August 06, 04:37 PM

I;ve been very reluctant to have my wool kilts dry cleaned. I've opted instead to spot cleaning and a bit of steam when required. And if there was no other option, I think basting the pleats in place would be critical to a satisfactory outcome. I dread the thought of having a good kilt pressed incorrectly.

.

**Southern Breeze** · 27th August 06, 05:22 PM

Add me to the list of anti-drycleaners. It's been mentioned in several threads that drycleaning should be considerd taboo. I took one my kilts to a drycleaner whom I've known a very long time and they refused to clean it. They gave me the info on handwashing it instead.

**Kilted KT** · 27th August 06, 05:32 PM

I'm on that non dry cleaning wagon myself. I sent my MacTavish (Thompson Red) 10 oz 5 yarder to the cleaners, and the pleats are all over the place now, and it definitly feels a lot different.

As for the UKs, My survival has faded some, but since it is my work kilt, I expect that much.

**michael steinrok** · 27th August 06, 08:39 PM

The more washing it gets the softer it will become. To speed the process was and dry your tennis shoes at the same time. Does anyone still wear tennis shoes?