I've washed my Bear kilts more times than I can count. One thing I've found is that you should fasten the Velcro before throwing it in, or the hooks catch on your socks or other knitted items, and pull threads loose. I tumble dry my kilts with no problems. When you take it out, just give it a snap, and the pleats should show up! If they're still a little soft, give them a few spritzes from a water mister, and wear the kilt. The pleats will fall into place. Even after walking across the country (only once, so far) in a four yard Bear Kilt without sewn-in pleats, wearing it every day and washing it every two weeks or so, the pleats were still in great shape, and I certainly didn't have an iron to use on them!

Andrew.