Kilts ~ Steaming

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Is that item only available instore? I can't find it on their website.

Part of the reason that I threw the SKU number on the post was so that you could:
a). check your store for availability,
b). use it to search on the HD site,
c). check it in your local ads.

It's a national promotion that's running along with some small appliances for the holiday season. The website will only update when they get the itch to do so... but the base has all items in the system within the catalog. This includes the cordless iron (which is great for kilts)!

I just brought home another one tonight, and used the Fabreze additive in it. WOW what a difference... especially on the wool kilts. If you're having trouble finding it, I can stash about 10 of them aside (only if necessary). With more than 1300 stores, chances are that you'll be fine in your neck of the woods!

~By the way, this has a "pressing pad" that you put on your free hand to press pleats. The pad is held under the pleats while the steamer side presses from the outside. It's very easy to use, and makes the pleats crisper than a Lay's chip!!!

[GlassMan]

I went and got the steamer in the store and it works great. I've used it on my kilts, on my woolen kilt socks and on my shirts. I can't tell you how pleased I am with the shirts. I hated ironing. And it does a great job of getting those pleats in.

[michael steinrok]

Is that what the steamer's for. I thought it was for beer

[yoippari]

How are these steamers at removing standard body soils and odors? Does the steam handle it on it's own or is there some cleaning agent needed to get rid of more than stains?

[GlassMan]

I haven't had body fluid stains on my kilts but I did have a food stain on one. I used the Dryel home dry cleaning kit on it first. There is a cleaning solution that comes in the kit in a small bottle. I applied that to the stain and rubbed it as instructed and the stain came off. Then I put it in the dryel bag along with the heat-activated dryel sheet and put it in the dryer only. Since it wasn't wet when it went into the dryer there was no shrinkage. Afterwards I steamed it to get nice pleats and it was good as new with no apparent damage to the wool tank.

[switchblade5984]

hmm good to know i still have to get a steammer!

[yoippari]

note: by body soil I am talking about dead skin cells, sweat, and skin oil. Body fluids sounds a lot worse, especially ones that stain.

[Riverkilt]

Hey Yoipappari,

One more reason to wear one of the JDez Underkilts that everyone was freaking about. I still love them and that's one of the reasons.

Ron

[GlassMan]

I've been thinking about those.

[longshadows]

As a follow up, I found the following on howstuffworks.com:

Common Questions About
The Home Dry Cleaning Process

* Why don't delicate fabrics just shrink in the dryer?
First, the nylon or plastic bag protects the clothes from the harsh, dry heat generated by the dryer. Because of this, any bag with a hole in it can't be used anymore. Also, a ripped bag will allow the steam vapors to escape, ruining the entire cleaning process. The steam itself is not damaging because, as in steam ironing, its temperature is just below that needed to melt or shrink most synthetic fibers. However, you aren't supposed to use the kits to clean leather, velvet, suede or fur, because these fabrics can be damaged by steam.

* Why doesn't the bag blow up from the gas pressure?
The bag is sealed using Velcro strips that line its opening. This is not a tight seal; it leaves tiny spaces through which steam can be vented. The majority of the vapors are retained within the bag; but enough is let out to keep gas pressure from building up too high.

* What about the dirt and grime you can't see?
This is one of the major drawbacks to the home dry cleaning kits. The commercial dry cleaning process bathes your clothes in a large quantity of solvent that strips stains, especially greasy ones, from the fabric. With home dry cleaning, dirt removal is mainly limited to the pre-treatment stage, when you treat visible stains. Home dry cleaning kits don't address things like sweat or other body oils picked up into the clothing with everyday wear. Also, they do not remove lint or things like pet hair that can build up on the surface of your clothing. These kits can't really replace commercial dry cleaning; the Dryel kit notes that it is designed as a complement to professional dry cleaning.