I haven't had any problems with damage to the leather straps when I've washed my synthetic kilts.

I think you'll find that a kilt needs to be cleaned far less often than you think. Unless you sat in something or spilled something on it, it should be fine to wear again, and again, and again...

When you do wash your synthetic kilt, gentle cycle, cold water, hang dry, just like you said. When you hang it, you can straighten out the pleats and you may find that you don't even need to press it.

If you do need to press it, BASTE THE PLEATS FIRST, and follow the instructions here
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...x.html?t=35190
and here
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...x.html?t=26550
so you don't screw up your pleats.

Trust me, I learned that one the hard way... I had to re-position, re-baste, and re-press every single pleat in one of my kilts after pressing it incorrectly. What a waste of an afternoon!