Steaming a kilt

**kilty** · 14th April 09, 08:01 PM

I've seen a few comments on steaming kilts.

1-Why would someone steam a kilt? I would think that steam would undo the pleats or should I say make them round?

2-What is the right way to steam a kilt assuming of course that one should?

**Mael Coluim** · 14th April 09, 08:13 PM

I use a Conair hand steamer that I picked up at Walmart for about $30. It takes out the wrinkles, creases the pleats and generally freshens it up. There has been a few threads on the subject. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

**Riverkilt** · 14th April 09, 08:24 PM

Nope, steaming a kilt makes the pleats flat and sharp. At least for wool and polyviscose.

I used a Black and Decker Gizmo until it broke - not sure if they're around, but they also have a duck bill clamp thingie built in for pleats. Before that had a portable Stanley Steamer. Now have two Jiffy Steamers, a portable E Steam, and the big floor model.

It is MUCH easier to steam the pleats of your kilt when its hanging from a hanger than to wrestle with the kilt on an ironing board or the floor.

Steamers are also great for your wool kilt jackets.

Lots of other great uses. Have seen some infomercials for various types of steamers. So far I like the Jiffy Steamer line best because of quality. Made in Tennessee.

May not make sense - but for me steaming is MUCH better than ironing...easier....and faster.

Ron

**george7** · 14th April 09, 09:06 PM

There's the steam while you shower method as well... a college student favorite.

**Bugbear** · 14th April 09, 10:26 PM

The Wizard of BC talks about it in his tutorial on pressing a kilt.

**JolyStNicholas** · 15th April 09, 05:02 AM

I for one appreciate all the above information, been thinking of getting a steamer but didn't know what direction to go!

**The Barry** · 15th April 09, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by george7

There's the steam while you shower method as well... a college student favorite.

Indeed! I use that for shirts once in a while!

**lethearen** · 15th April 09, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Nope, steaming a kilt makes the pleats flat and sharp. At least for wool and polyviscose.

I used a Black and Decker Gizmo until it broke - not sure if they're around, but they also have a duck bill clamp thingie built in for pleats. Before that had a portable Stanley Steamer. Now have two Jiffy Steamers, a portable E Steam, and the big floor model.

It is MUCH easier to steam the pleats of your kilt when its hanging from a hanger than to wrestle with the kilt on an ironing board or the floor.

Steamers are also great for your wool kilt jackets.

Lots of other great uses. Have seen some infomercials for various types of steamers. So far I like the Jiffy Steamer line best because of quality. Made in Tennessee.

May not make sense - but for me steaming is MUCH better than ironing...easier....and faster.

Ron

I used to have a B&D Gizmo, but my ex still has it. Hrm... I wonder if I can get it back from her. Doubt she ever uses it. I think they're no longer in production, but you can still find them in a few places, like Amazon.

**Scott West** · 15th April 09, 11:43 AM

Lads (Ron especially): Matt is shipping my Lochcarron tank as we speak and I'm getting anxious regarding it's care and feeding (I've only had 2 SK's so far)! When hand steaming how does one "press" the pleat when the kilt is hanging vertical?

**lethearen** · 15th April 09, 11:56 AM

Dunno about the other tools, but with the Gizmo it was pretty easy. It has a duck-bill apparatus that you open up, insert the pleat, and squeeze. Or, as B&D says:

It can also be used for pressing--either as a traditional iron or by using the creasing function to give sharp creases to pant legs, collars, cuffs, and more. Simply hang the garment on a hanger or lay it on a flat surface. Squeeze the pressing plates lever to open the plates and insert the area to be creased between the plates.