Quote Originally Posted by derosa View Post
I toss a single kilt in, cold water, small size on the hand wash cycle with just a few drops of tide. Enough to make a few bubbles and not much more.

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A couple old posts mention something to maintain ph of the kilt or water, can never remember what which hopefully someone will post on.
I won't claim to be an expert on this, but I've always been told that commercial detergents should not be used on wool. They are designed specifically for getting out stains like grease and skin oils, which means they break down animal proteins. It will deteriorate the wool fibers, supposedly. This is why Woolite and other wool-specific detergents were created, although the knitting community seems to agree that even Woolite is bad for wool over the long-term. They recommend a "wool wash" which you can find at knitting supply stores.

White vinegar is what most people recommend adding to the rinse water when washing wool, usually 1/4 to 1/2 cup, though it depends on how large a basin you're washing it in. Wool is naturally slightly acidic, and the vinegar will gently raise the acidity (lower the pH) of the water. It also helps freshen the fibers and leave them feeling more fluffy and soft. This seems to be more important for sweaters and knit-wear rather than kilts, but it's recommended for any type of woolen garment. The vinegar smell will dissipate after drying.