Our tartan is made from 100% wool, woven in Scotland, and with proper care it will remain vibrant and in excellent condition for many years. Thistlebrae kilts offers a full cleaning service, which includes basting and professionally steaming the pleats, so your kilt looks as good as the day it was made. Please contact me for all of your kilt cleaning, restoration and alteration needs.
Cleaning:
spot cleaning - gently dab minor stains with a clean cloth and warm water with a gentle soap. Do not rub the area as this can damage the fibres.
dry cleaning - this is an option, but as chemicals are used in the process, some of the wool's natural oils are stripped away each time it is treated.
Hand Washing:
If your kilt needs to be washed, handwash in cool/lukewarm water with a mild wool detergent. Hot water will shrink the wool.
Submerge the kilt in the sink/basin of water and gently agitate the water to rinse the detergent away. Repeat until the water is clear.
Drain the soapy water and refill the basin with clean cool water to rinse the detergent away. Repeat until the water is clear.
Avoid wringing the water out, instead press the kilt between two towels to remove excess water.
Drying and Ironing:
Lay the kilt flat on a clean dry towel, arranging the pleats in place. Do not hang the kilt as this will stretch the wool.
Dry the kilt in a well ventilated area away from direct sunlight or heat.
If ironing is necessary, use a wool setting with a pressing cloth to avoid direct contact with the wool.
Storing:
Clean your kilt before storing, this will prevent moth damage and stains from setting.
Store in a cool, dry place using a garment bag or cotton sheet - do not use plastic bags as these trap moisture and cause mildew.
Moth prevention - use natural moth repellants like cedar blocks or lavender sachets to protect your kilt from moth damage. Thoroughly check through each pleat for moth larvae before storing.
Use a 4-clip kilt hanger to reduce the risk of the kilt stretching out of shape.
In general:
To refresh your kilt between wears, or for storing, hang it in a well-ventilated area and air it out overnight.
Take care when using kilt pins. Gently work the pin into place and avoid changing it too often. The apron suffers a little damage every time the pin is pushed through the cloth.