Tartan is a woolen fabric that is worn worldwide, but its connection with Scotland lends it another level of fame. Its use in men’s kilts is obviously an expression of Scottish culture. Besides the kilts, tartan makes many other clothing products, such as hose, sashes, and tartan trousers. Tartan being a soft fabric, demands special caring deals and in this article, we will let you know about some tips to caring for tartan trousers. Before discussing the maintenance techniques, it is essential to understand the tartan fabric.
Understanding Tartan Fabric
Tartan is a checkered pattern fabric worn worldwide. However, it gained popularity when the Scots added it to their attire. It is a warm and comfortable fabric that is made with wool. In fact, these grounds were the primary concerns of Scots adopting it to their clothes. Scottish tartan, in particular, has repeated swatches, called setts.
All tartan patterns have different colours. Surprisingly, every sett or its shade hides a story of Scotland in it. These patterns are not just patterns, but they also serve as an identity of Scottish clans. Being a special piece of cloth, tartan needs certain caring techniques that are mentioned below.
Caring For Tartan Trousers
We just mentioned certain caring requirements of tartan trousers because this fabric is not like other materials. Tartan, being a woolen fabric, always has a likelihood of colour fading and shrinkage, which is why knowing caring tips prior is essential.
Pre-Wash Preparation
You should not start washing a tartan pair of trousers at once. Rather make some pre-wash preparations first. First of all, ensure reading the care label as it mentions everything you should know. Clean the fabric thoroughly and remove its dust before putting it in water. Likewise, you must know whether the fabric is natural wool or a synthetic material, because it decides the washing technique.
Washing Tartan Trousers
When it comes to washing tartan trousers, hand washing them is recommended. Machine washing is allowed only when it gets tough stains. Thus, careful washing tips are mentioned below.
Hand Washing
- Start the process by filling a basin with cold water and adding a mild detergent to it.
- Lay the cloth flat in the basin and mitigate it to leave the dust and soak it for half an hour. The weight of the fabric also impacts the soaking time.
- The next step is to drain the water from the trousers and the basin as well. Pour clean water again into the basin, wash the fabric with it, and drain the water again.
- Make sure not to wring the fabric and press it between the towel to remove the water instead of hanging it wet.
Machine Washing
Washing tartan trousers in the machine is not recommended at all. Thus, experts recommend spot cleaning or dry cleaning them. If the fabric gets an unremovable stain, you can wash it in the machine with gentle cycles and using cold water. Frequent gadget washing damages fabric and the colour as well.
Drying Tartan Trousers
The next step is to dry tartan trousers, which is a bit of a different process from the standard cloth. A tartan trouser, kilt, or any wool-made fabric is not appropriate to dry on electric gadgets but air drying is the recommendation. When done with washing your trouser, drain the water completely, reshape it to its original state, and then hang it outside in a well-ventilated area of the home. Hang it at a place where sunlight may not reach it, as it fades the colour.
Ironing Tartan Trousers
It is not ideal to frequently iron tartan kilts and trousers because heat can damage the colour and shrink the fabric. Therefore, occasional pressing is also essential to eliminate wrinkles and to add a crisp touch to the clothing. Thus, you should set the temperature to a very low setting, so it may not directly contact the wool.
Storing Tartan Trousers
The final step of caring for tartan trousers is to store them properly after washing, drying, and ironing them.
- First of all, you should air dry the trouser to remove odors and clean it before you store them.
- Choose a ventilated and cold place to store it.
- Before placing it in a closet, ensure packing it in a breathable fabric bag instead of a plastic cover.
- Prevent moth and moisture by adding moth repellents like cedar blocks or lavender sachets.
- Take a proper trouser hanger with a non-slippery surface to prevent falling and wrinkles.
Dealing with Common Issues
While wearing tartan pants, you may encounter some common issues that need your attention. The clothing may get wrinkles or food, or mud stains that are essential to treat timely before they get stronger and negatively impact your outfit. Some issues and ways to deal with them are mentioned here to prevent bothersome situations.
Removing wrinkles without ironing: Unexpected wrinkles sound odd on your trousers. You can get rid of them by using bathroom steaming. The shower steam is capable of relaxing the wrinkles.
Freshening between wears: If you are a regular tartan trouser wearer, you must consider air drying it after every wear to keep it fresh. This approach not only freshens the trouser but removes the odor as well.
Treating stains: Mud, food, and sweat stains are common to get on kilts and they need on-time treatment. So, prioritize spot cleaning instead of washing it. Take a wet cloth and blot the stain. Similarly, markets have a significant number of stain removers while choosing the appropriate one according to the quality is crucial.
Fixing stretched or misshapen areas: Fabrics can overstretch or develop a tear. Fixing them quickly is the only solution, and for such issues, you must consider consulting an expert. Doing it on your behalf can result in further damage if you do not have experience with it.
Buy Premium-Quality Tartan Trousers at Utility Kilt UK
Undoubtedly, proper care for tartan trousers can increase their lifespan and add crispness to your personality. However, buying premium-quality tartan trousers also ensures longevity with lower maintenance efforts comparatively. Many online and physical brands sell high-quality products, but the price factor can be problematic for some people.
Utility Kilt UK is the ideal place for them since we sell the same products at affordable prices. Further, our inventory is not limited to trousers and kilts only. In fact, we sell all kilt accessories and Scottish musical instruments. Moving back to trousers, we have a wide collection.
FAQs About Tartan Trouser Caring Tips
Can I use fabric softener on tartan trousers?
Woolen products are already soft, so using softeners can significantly impact their absorbency. Moreover, it can potentially impact the fibers of wool, resulting in compromising the durability.
How often should I wash tartan trousers?
Though frequent washing of tartan trousers is not recommended, you should wash it when you find it necessary. Prioritize spot cleaning and air drying instead of drowning it complete in the water.
Can tartan trousers shrink over time even with proper care?
Yes, some tartan pants can shrink over time despite proper care. Many factors play a part in shrinkage such as irrelevant caring practices, the nature of fabric, and keeping it exposed to heating gadgets.
How do I prevent colour fading in tartan trousers?
Colour fading can be a significant problem in tartan clothing whether they are trousers or kilts. To maintain their shade, do not expose them to sunlight. Similarly, using cold water and keeping them away from heating gadgets is also a handful idea.
Can tartan trousers be tailored or altered easily?
Yes, many kilt-makers, such as Utility Kilt UK and The Utility Kilt, provide tartan trouser customisation services. Such brands have a team of experts with years of experience on hand.
