Dry Cleaning

[leathercubby]

Any advice on what to look for in a Dry Cleaner? I assume most Dry Cleaners in my area do not have much experience with kilts, but Probably know women's pleated skirts. Anything I should be aware of?
Thank You
Eric

[Shay]

What kind of kilt is it? If it's wool and thay shrink it, all the nice pleat setting in the world won't help.

Incidentally, most women's pleated skirts, at least the ones I have, are machine washable. Anything that can't be laid out flat in one tug-and-go is going to require special ironing- as I found to my dismay when I tried to get my women's cut shirts pressed.

[leathercubby]

Yes, my kilt is wool. A traditional 9 yard kilt.

[Barb T.]

The biggest risk in having a dry cleaner deal with your kilt is that they will press the pleats wrong. If there is _any_ taper to the pleats between the hips and waist, many dry cleaners will lay the kilt out, fan the pleats, and press the living daylights out of them. What they _should_ do is lay out the kilt with the pleats parallel to one another (not fanned) and press the kilt. If the pleats are pressed when fanned, the kilt will hang in waves when you wear it.

Unfortunately, once the pleats are pressed wrong, it's virtually impossible to press them correctly again. So, what's the solution? If your kilt isn't dirty and you're dry cleaning it on general principles, don't. A carefully cared-for and aired kilt can go years without dry clearning. If there are spots that need to be taken care of, don't dry clean it. Just treat the spots. If it is really filthy and needs cleaning, seriously consider having it cleaned but _not_ pressed and doing the pressing, properly, yourself. If you choose to do the latter, take the time to baste the pleats in place before pressing (doesn't take much time), and be sure to use a damp press cloth between the iron and the tartan. Press, don't iron.

If that's not clear, let me know, and I'll explain more!

Barb

[James]

Here in the UK I've never had any problems.

However it is worth finding out if a skirt is cheaper than a kilt-it sometimes is--and there are times!

James

[cajunscot]

If there is a pipe band anywhere near you, you might get in touch with them and see if they have any recommendations for a dry cleaner.

Cheers,

Todd

[Freelander Sporrano]

Just a warning here .... Linda at Hector Russell told me don't dry clean a kilt more than once a year if that.....

[Iolaus]

You could find a local kilt rental shop and ask them who they use.

[bubba]

I just hand wash my wool kilts in cold water and woolite, then hand press the pleats in place while it's still wet. Does the job just fine and no worries about chemicals or bad pessing jobs.

[Barb T.]

You bold soul, you! I have to confess that I've never met anyone who actually does that with a traditional wool kilt. I have heard of people hanging a kilt on the line and hosing it down when it's dirty and sweaty, but Woolite and cold water is something I'm not sure I'd try any more than I would wash a nice wool suit. Don't you have trouble with the kilt keeping its shape during the washing?? What happens to the nice hard finish of the tartan when you wash it?

Maybe I'm just a chicken and all you guys will tell me that you wash wool kilts all the time. But, frankly, this isn't something that I'm going to try any time soon!!

Barb