Care and Feeding of a UtiliKilt

[furrycelt]

I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my first UtiliKilt (first non-wool kilt too). I ordered an Olive Original several days ago, and should get it this Tuesday (what a long week!).

I wanted to know what to do about washing it. Is it true that I can treat this thing like a pair of jeans? I did some searching in this forum's archives, but didn't find much. The UtiliKilt website only has this:

11. SHOULD I WASH IT? / Yes, machine wash cold and hang dry.

Hang dry? I hope I don't have to do that. What would happen if I thru it in the drier?

So, what is everyone else's experience with UK's? How do you clean and dry 'em? Any advice and warnings to offer?

thanks,
-ian

[Yaish]

I throw everything but the workmans in the dryer no problem. The Originals are a poly/cotton blend, so they wont have much shrinkage at all.

Treat them no different than a pair of poly/cotton slacks, since other than the weight its the same material.

If you take it out of the dryer right away you wont have to iron much (if at all) either.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

The beauty of UtiliKilts is that you can treat them like dirt, and they just keep coming back for more. I have a caramel "Workman's" that's gone through the wringer and kept it's integrity. You just can't kill them!!!

Ask Ron (RiverKilt) anything about them. He's the site's EXPERIENCED member with the various UK's.

[starbkjrus]

They're like the energizer bunny they just keep going....

I cringed the first time I threw one of mine in the wash but no worries. PM Riverkilt and he can give you all the info you need to know. He does have a little trick about weighting the pleats for drying that I need to give a try....

[Pleater]

I have only seen one Utilikilt up close but - I would leave any kilt to dry hanging if it was of a material like denim or canvas. It stiffens up when wet, and I think the edges of sewn down pleats and anywhere the the garment has a fold or seam edge would become worn with the friction from the drum.

Even if put into the dryer inside out it could easily be flipped.

Pleater

[Iolaus]

I do as UK says - hang dry and hand-pulled pleats - but then, after they're dry, I throw them into the dryer with a dozen tennis balls to knock them around a bit and soften them up.

[Rigged]

I've had mine for years and I just throw them in the washing machine and dryer with the rest of my clothes. I'll do a bit of touch-ironing afterwards if needed.

Utilikilts are very rugged garments.

[Riverkilt]

Think its so simple its comfusing.

I own 13 of them UK puppies. If you get a good one, its bulletproof.

Main thing, when you get it inspect it well, cause sometimes they don't/didn't at UKHQ. Check the inside of the snaps, check ALL seams.

If you're good to go then go ahead and machine wash it. I use gentle cycle, cold water, and wash the UK alone.

When its done I hang it on plastic WalMart hangers with about five clips to the hanger. Seems weird to some, but what works well for me is attaching weighted clips to the bottom of each seam while the kilt air drys.

Weighted clips are just the extra clips WalMart sells by the hangers with half ounce fishing weights duct taped to each side of the clip. If you could find them and afford them could also use clip on tablecloth weights that they sell to keep tablecloth's down in the wind on picnics.

When I use those weighted clips I never have to iron when the UK is dry. At first I put a clip on each inside and outside pleat. Now, just I just make sure the inside pleat is straight with a quick pull and put the weighted clips on the outside pleats. Put a pic of the weighted clips back in my gallery. Think its on page 9...maybe 8.

Never had a UK in the dryer, so trust others on that idea.

If you get a workman's do what I did and follow the advice of the board and wash it about six times in a row with unscented Downy to soften it up a bit. After that, just normal wear will break it in well.

Ron

[GMan]

I wash mine in cold water gentle cycle (they are kilts you know). If I feel that I need humidity in the air, I hang them up to dry (I live in an arid area) and hand press them, while the kilt is drying.

[arrogcow]

I usually wash then two at a time (balances the washing machine a little better). I usually hang, and straighten the pleats at that time. However, if I am in a hurry, I will toss in the dryer with no damage. They just aren't as crisp out of the dryer.

Adam