New UK

[dwg]

Well the Uk I ordered in Feb came it is a UK Workman's in dark brown and I love it, but HELP how do I get the newness out of it, it is so stiff, I just wish it was a bit softer can you help

Derek

[Southern Breeze]

Stiff kilt? No problem- just throw it on the highway during rush hour.

Okay, enough kidding. I've got a Workmans U.K and I simply soaked it in the bath tub for several hours. (add some fabric softner). I did this twice and it helped although there was still some stiffness. It just takes a while to loosen them up.

[Iolaus]

I just ran my new Black workman through 5 or 6 cycles of the washer, with Fab softener, I've got it hanging outside right now, the way they say to. After it's completely dry, I'll throw it into a dryer set on the fluff setting, with a dozen tennis ball to beat the hell out it.

Then it'll be soft enough to wear.

BTW, I do the tennis ball thing every time I wash a UK; hang-drying seems to make it stiff, so a little abuse is good for knocking that stiffness out of it.

[Hamish]

Derek,

I think you just have to be patient! I've had my chocolate brown Workman's UK since Dec 2003, have worn it like there's no tomorrow, washed it several times BY HAND and it is still quite stiff. I believe it is the nature of that canvas-like fabric never to really soften up. My first UK, a caramel Workman's, from Nov 2000 (which has now been archived within my Kilt Kollection) did soften up quite a lot - it also faded almost to 'cream' - but that was made from a different, and less robust, material.

I wash my UKs by hand because the care instructions advise using a 'cold wash', but my washing machine does not have such a facility. In fact, I think British machines do not have a 'cold wash' facility by default - none of my neighbours machines have it, nor do those of any friends I have asked. Does yours? I don't have a drier - far too wasteful of precious energy - so hang dry everything, outdoors if possible.

As for fabric softener: I have tried 'Comfort' and 'Lenore', in fact I always add a little of one or the other to the final rinse, but they seem to have no noticeable effect on Duc-Canvas!!

My advice? Let wear-and-tear break down the stiffness.

[Yaish]

Hamish, can you just turn off the hot water valve if you want to do a cold wash cycle?

As for the stiffness I find using a dryer on tumble only, no heat works best. You can even use heat for about 20 minutes in the beginning to get it started on drying, then reset it for no heat and run it about two cycles.

All my workmans are as soft as jean denim now.

[Hamish]

Hamish, can you just turn off the hot water valve if you want to do a cold wash cycle?

I don't think that would make any difference because the machine only takes in hot water for the really hot wash programmes. It's built-in water heater, over which I have no control, heats cold water for all other programmes! Nice thought though!

As for the stiffness I find using a dryer on tumble only, no heat works best. You can even use heat for about 20 minutes in the beginning to get it started on drying, then reset it for no heat and run it about two cycles.

All my workmans are as soft as jean denim now.

As I say, I do not have a dryer - tumble or otherwise!!

[Iolaus]

As for the stiffness I find using a dryer on tumble only, no heat works best. You can even use heat for about 20 minutes in the beginning to get it started on drying, then reset it for no heat and run it about two cycles.

I tried doing the no-heat dryer thing, on a dry winter day, and the stuff just stayed wet, even after three cycles. I'd have had to keep it in for half the day to do anything. I think it's more energy efficient to let the breeze do it.

[Yaish]

More efficient no doubt, but less effective at reducing stiffness. Compromises...

[Riverkilt]

Hey Derek,

You got a good one! I love my chocolate workman's too. Even buying it "previously owned" it was stiffer than I like for the things I do in it...sit in an office.

Followed the advice of the board and washed it six times on gentle cycle, cold water, with unscented Downy. That helped.

What worked was when I washed it in Downy and decided to stop the washer cycle when the tub was full of water and Downy. My well besotted brain forgot about it and wound up soaking it over night. That worked well and didn't harm the kilt in any way. Just rinced it in the morning. Nice and soft now.

If I didn't do this already :confused: here are some pics of my UK Chocolate Workmans....

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&x=1&y=-iect68

Ron
I loved my drinking, but I sure do miss my brain cells now....

[Graham]

As I've said before, I've had issues with stiffness. All the solutions here are not really ideal.
When I buy a kilt I like to wear it right away, I don't have the patience of Job (or Hamish).

Surely there must be a better material to make the kilts out of? one that will provide the toughness and flexibility that kilts need.

I'm a recent convert to plain workman style kilts, but the problems of the fabric does tend to dissappoint.