Softening material

[Graham]

My new RKilt is much like a new UK I guess. The material is stiff and uncomfortable.
I'm told that washing and wearing will soften it over time, but I'm impatient.

Is there a way to fast-track the softening of the fabric so that the pleats will hug my legs a bit more instead of sticking out?
What about fabric softeners?
There's a lot of really nice leather on the kilt so I have to be careful.
I've washed it twice now in cold water and air dried but little softening is happening.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Graham,

I seem to remember somebody, Iolaus I think, saying that putting it in the dryer, no heat, with 3 or 4 tennis balls worked wonders. Also, soaking in fabric softener for a while.

[Riverkilt]

Graham,

I use unscented Downy fabric softener. I finally decided to beat my UK Caramel workman's into shape. I filled the washer, added the Downy, then added the workman's with the intention of letting it soak for a few hours while I was at work then rinse it out when I came home at lunch hour.

Having many missing brain cells from years of drinking I plum forgot until I got home at 9PM. The kilt has soaked in Downy and cold water for 12 hours.

Tell you what. That kilt is soft now. No damage that I can see, the leather is fine.


The other deal that got rid of the initial stiffness was to wash the workman's six times in a row on gentle cycle with unscented Downy.

The 12 hour soak did a lot more. I'm pleased. Still has the shape, just softer. Suppose it'd work with Robert's work too.

Ron

[Iolaus]

The other deal that got rid of the initial stiffness was to wash the workman's six times in a row on gentle cycle with unscented Downy.

That's what I did initially, as well. and, after they've already dried, I still throw my UKs into the dryer with a dozen tennis balls to beat the hall out of them..

[Casey]

Graham,

Let us know how you make out as I find my Rkilt a bit too stiff too.

[646guy]

That's what I did initially, as well. and, after they've already dried, I still throw my UKs into the dryer with a dozen tennis balls to beat the hall out of them..

Hmmm maybe that's what I need to do with my Workman's UK....don't have a washing machine at my apartment but I bet I could fill the sink up and let it soak while I'm at work....I dunno if the local laundromat would like the tennis ball method....

[auld argonian]

Three words:

Kilted Body Surfing!

Best

AA


ps: I hear that there's sharks down there...be real careful!

[Graham]

Three words:

Kilted Body Surfing!

Best

AA


ps: I hear that there's sharks down there...be real careful!

funny you should say that, when I was a lad and bought a new pair of jeans I would go down to the beach and jump off th end of the jetty, swim, dry in the sun and repeat it often thru the day.
It faded and softened jeans right well!