How to Steam Clean a Kilt

by Anne Coletta

Overview

Wool kilts are comfortable to wear and easy to clean by dry cleaning or steam cleaning. Kilts generally doesn't need to be cleaned often. Wool fiber contains an epicuticle, a waxy layer around the hair that repels liquid (that's how sheep stay warm and dry), and this makes wool stain resistant. Wool is also anti-static so it doesn't tend to attract dirt and dust. Once your wool kilt gets dirty, however, you need to clean it. To remove wrinkles, freshen up your kilt, or eliminate stale odors, like tobacco or cooking smells, try steam cleaning. Here you have two options: • The "steamy bathroom" method, or • The hand-held steamer method
Instructions for "steamy bathroom" method

Step 1

Clip your kilt from its waist (horizontally) on a hanger or rod so that it hangs freely. Wool can be heavy, so make sure you have enough clips to keep the kilt hanging correctly.
Step 2

Put the hanger or rod on a hook in your bathroom (not inside the shower or tub). Be sure that the kilt is not pressing against anything.
Step 3

Turn on the shower and run very hot water. Be sure the shower curtain or door is closed to avoid water splashing your kilt. Don't forget to close the door when leaving the bathroom.
Step 4

After four minutes, go back into the bathroom to check the amount of steam. (Remember to close the door behind you.) If the bathroom isn't full of steam yet, continue running the water for another three minutes.
Step 5

Once the bathroom is full of steam, turn off the water and leave the bathroom, shutting the door quickly to keep the steam from escaping.
Step 6

Retrieve your kilt after about 20 minutes total of steaming. Any wrinkles should be mostly or completely steamed out and your kilt should have a clean, fresh scent.
Step 7

Make sure you hang your kilt freely for the next several hours so it can properly dry and any remaining wrinkles can smooth out.

Instructions for hand-held steamer method

Step 1

Follow the first two steps above to hang the kilt, then pull the cloth tight with one hand. A kilt has a flat overlapping front section, called the apron, and the back pleated section. When pulling the pleated section tight, be sure to maintain the pleat crispness by keeping the pleats folded and pulling the cloth tight from the bottom of the kilt.
Step 2

Gently press the steamer fabric brush against the kilt and move the appliance down over the fabric, from top to bottom, while pressing the steam button. The combination of steam and the brush will gently remove wrinkles and freshen your kilt. Go over the entire kilt in this manner.
Step 3

After you have finished steam cleaning your kilt, let it cool down on the hanger before wearing.

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Wool kilt Hanger Clothes clips Hand-held clothes steamer (optional)
Wool kilt
Hanger
Clothes clips
Hand-held clothes steamer (optional)
Check and follow your wool kilt's laundry instructions. If you are using a hand-held steamer appliance, follow the appliance directions.
Check and follow your wool kilt's laundry instructions.
If you are using a hand-held steamer appliance, follow the appliance directions.
Never steam clean clothes while they are being worn. If you iron your kilt, use the "Wool" or low setting on your iron and use care because wool can burn.
Never steam clean clothes while they are being worn.
If you iron your kilt, use the "Wool" or low setting on your iron and use care because wool can burn.