care for a USA Kilt

[kiltedRTR]

Hello all!
So, I just spent a month in Belize. Since I was on an Archaeological project I left the kilt at home.

Unfortunately, I haven't worn my kilt in a long time and it could probably use a washing. Its a USA casual with poly viscose. I know not to wash it with fabric softener. But is it really just that easy to wash it and it be pretty much wrinkly free?

Also, If I can't hang it up due to no space, what would be the best way to fold it? I've tried a few different ways seen in different forums but I cant seem to get it right.

Thanks for any help given.

[Mike in Dayton]

Rocky is the best to answer this question but this is what I do. Machine wash gentle cycle. Lay it flat to dry. I use a large beach towel on the floor in a room where no one is likely to bother it for a day. When laying it flat position all the pleats where they belong. Next day it should be dry.

I have also hung mine by positioning it along the bathtub curtain rod using multiple hangers but I think laying it flat works best as long as you take the time to position the pleats.

Mike

[chrisupyonder]

I have a 5 yd casual 80% poly 20% wool. I wash it by dunking in a bath full of lukewarm water with just a drop of washing liquid as used in a washing machine. Let the kilt spread out in the bath and just gently press the kilt down into the water. Then rinse in cold water 4 times. Hung it up on a kilt hanger to drip dry over the bath. Do not agitate too much and do not in fact handle it much in the water. Do not ring out, let it drip dry.
When almost dry, gave it a lite pressing with a damp pressing cloth and hung up again to fully dry.

Chris.

[Whidbey78]

I put clothespins on the corners of the pleats, each with a half-ounce fishing weight tied to it, and hang it up to dry. Then a little touch-up with a warm iron is all that's needed, and often is not needed at all.

[RockyR]

Here are the care instructions for washing one of our PV kilts as written on our 'care sheet' that comes with each kilt:

Wash in COLD water on a gentle cycle. Do NOT use fabric softener as it will take the Teflon coating off of the material over time. Hang it or lay it flat to dry and lightly press with a steam iron on a MEDIUM setting. We do NOT recommend dry cleaning this kilt.


Also, a little tip... MATCH UP the velcro (like you were wearing the kilt) before you put it in the wash. It will keep the scratchy velcro from grabbing random bits of knitwear in the wash and causing pulls.

[Woodsman]

I have washed my kilt several time as per Rocky's instructions and have hung it over the back of a chair to dry. The only problems I have is with the pleats not lying flat after drying. Ironing seems to get rid of the wrinkes but the pleats still show a lilt. I may try laying it flat on a towel this time. It's due to be washed after my Ireland trip where, I might add, it was a big hit.

[kiltedRTR]

Thanks!

I've always been nervous with washing my kilts and doing something wrong and messing it up. I can't think of much worse than misrepresenting the kilt by wearing a disheveled one. lol

I kind of wish I took it to Belize but after looking at all my clothes I brought back, I'm glad I didn't. Belize + Archaeology camps do not seem conducive to kilt wear and care.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

And maybe it doesn't need to be said, but remove your kilt pin before washing!