How often do you clean your kilt?

**McClef** · 2nd April 08, 02:25 AM

With 24 kilts (OK not all of them are wool ) they don't get cruddy that quickly.

Have bought some woolite and will try mbhandy's method when I think a wool kilt is due. I don't have any dry cleaners close to me here in my valleys redoubt in any case.

I did have my first kilt dry cleaned many years ago when I lived in Bristol and don't recall it suffering any ill effects. I remember they had to charge it as "a ladies' pleated skirt" though.

**sharpdressedscot** · 2nd April 08, 05:26 AM

I only wash mine every so often, I'm not wearing it 24/7 and I'm not rolling in the mud.

**JerseyLawyer** · 2nd April 08, 07:21 AM

I have my kilt cleaned when it needs it. With normal wear, that's every few years, though if I have a bad parade season and get something poured on or dropped on me, it might be more often.

**Ruanaidh** · 2nd April 08, 01:40 PM

I have never had a kilt dry cleaned. The chemicals remove the natural oils that make a kilt water and dirt proof. Small stains are spot cleaned and really dirty kilts are hand washed.

**SFCRick** · 2nd April 08, 03:04 AM

never dry clean

**SteveB** · 2nd April 08, 03:46 AM

I have owned kilts for forty-five years, and have NEVER taken one to the dry cleaner. Perc + kilt = destroyed kilt. ALWAYS have hand washed with mild soap. Could not check any boxes above.

**Howard Clark** · 2nd April 08, 04:14 AM

I was looking for the box that said "never" as well.

Even with wool, it is not the water or the washing, but the heat when you dry it that is damaging, right ?

I haven't washed any of my hand sewn kilts, but I have washed a couple of machine sewn ones that I made myself. They did not seem any worse for the experience.

**fluter** · 2nd April 08, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by Howard Clark

I was looking for the box that said "never" as well.

Even with wool, it is not the water or the washing, but the heat when you dry it that is damaging, right ?

... and the tumbling. I think that's one way to felt a knitted garment, is it not?

**cacunn** · 2nd April 08, 04:24 AM

1) Scrub the tub
2) Woolite
3) Add tepid water (should be cold but hands cramp, just enough warm to put hands in)
4) gently place kilt in tub
5) agitate water
6) let sit
7) drain water
8) run shower to rinse kilt
9) place on towel and gentle press water out
10) hang to dry
11) check pleats and correct as necessary
12) gently press if necessary

Repeat only when necessary

**Alan H** · 8th April 08, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by cacunn

1) Scrub the tub
2) Woolite
3) Add tepid water (should be cold but hands cramp, just enough warm to put hands in)
4) gently place kilt in tub
5) agitate water
6) let sit
7) drain water
8) run shower to rinse kilt
9) place on towel and gentle press water out
10) hang to dry
11) check pleats and correct as necessary
12) gently press if necessary

Repeat only when necessary

This is exactly what I do, though I use slightly warmer water, but not "hot". It's worked well for My wool and wool blend kilts.

I washed my two Stillwaters this way....note that these were the older style "standards" which didn't have sewn-down fells....and after the third washing, no amount of meticulous pressing could get the pleats to look truly "right" again. Conclusion....don't wash your Stillwaters or Frugal Corner acrylic kilts any more often than you absolutely HAVE to.

The Poly viscose kilts just go in the washing machine like anything else. I wash those maybe twice a year, except for the kilts I work out/throw in. They get washed about 4-5 times a year.