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.

[Big Dave]

I wear my Black original UK almost everyday and I just throw it in the wash when needed, and I lay it flat to dry it (which dossn't take long), then I touch the pleats up with a quick ironing job. UK's are a great throw around cilt.

[Southern Breeze]

I have a workmans U.K and I just toss it in the washer and dryer. A little ironing to touch up the pleats and it's ready to go.

[Nick]

I do hang dry mine, but the Mocker dries almost overnight, and the original is comperable in material, I believe. The Workmans takes a bit longer, but still pretty quick. I barely ever have to iron them, if I do it's usually the Workmans because if it takes a crease it really holds onto it! But the Mocker rearely needs any special treatment.