First Kilt!

**SteveCrowley** · 21st January 08, 08:04 PM

Hi, everybody! I just received my first kilt from Stillwater Kilts the other day. I absolutely love it and want to wear it every day. It is the Irish National standard kilt. It is made of acrylic fabric and I am curious as to how often I should wash it because I know that eventually it will get a bunch of little fuzzballs all over it. Obviously I would like to avoid this, but I don't want to go too long without washing it. If anyone has any advice on this topic I would greatly appreciate it!

Thanks!
-Steve Crowley

**Ozman1944** · 21st January 08, 08:11 PM

I have quite a few kilts, so don't wear the same one all the time, but I have washed my Stillwater Irish national a couple of times- no fuzzballs.

**SteveCrowley** · 21st January 08, 08:14 PM

Thanks. I am thinking of getting a blackwatch eventually.

**Yeti** · 21st January 08, 08:17 PM

Good job! Now where are the pictures?

~Yeti

**AnimalK** · 21st January 08, 08:18 PM

Before washing, I fasten all the buckles as if I were wearing it.
Turn it inside out.
Wash by itself in cold water.
Remove from washer.
Turn back outside out.
Shake a bit to hang pleats back.
Place on plastic hanger (I use 4 of the removable plastic jaws)
Straighten out pleats and apron.
Air Dry.
I use a steamer (carefully) to sharpen the pleats up and smooth the apron.

BTW, does anyone have advice on de-fanging the buckle tongues as they can bite a bit? Fine tooth file maybe?

**Moosedog** · 21st January 08, 11:27 PM

Congratulations! That was one of my first kilts, too, and I loved it.

Yep, washing it with care should reduce fuzzies/snags. I find I create more of those through daily wear than by washing.

I buckle everything up like AniamlK says, then I put mine in a mesh bag before popping into the washer ( I aslo have a front loader so no agitator fins.) Keeps any damage to a minimum.

Moosedog

PS Yes AK, just file 'em down from the underside, it should remove that burr that catches and scratches everything...guess that's why they are called "thorns."'

**SFCRick** · 22nd January 08, 12:10 AM

lets see some pictures

**James MacMillan** · 22nd January 08, 12:16 AM

Moosedog and AnimalK have given good advise. I have several SWK's and I generally follow this routine.

Unless you really sweat badly, or craw in the mud, a Kilt will last much longer between washing than pants. I'm thinking at least 12 to 15 wearings between washing. And hang correctly and let the fabric rest about a week between wearings. That's why you need about 8 kilts to start off. 3 low-end casuals, 3 high-end casuals and 2 tanks. Then build from there....... worked for me.