Cleaning rugs

H

humblepie

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 February 2008
Messages
8,183
Visit site
Has anyone pressure washed thick stable rugs? Want to get a couple cleaned but also thinking of getting a pressure washer for feed and hay soaking buckets so wondered if anyone done this for rugs. Have cleaned travel boots when used to use them at the car wash ….
 
Agree!! I once chucked a PE turnout over a fence and used an, admittedly very strong pressure washer that cut the side like a tin opener! Big mistake!
I do sometimes hose and scrub bigger rugs than I can deal with and to be honest you can do a pretty good job that way.
 
If you can brush off the dry mud with a dandy brush, or drape the wet slimy rug over a gate and brush off with cold water, the rug is more likely to remain waterproof. I now don't send mine for washing, and any tears are sewn up with waxed saddler's thread, or cobbled together with cable ties until they need replacing.
 
Sorry to jump on the thread - has anybody pressure washed saddle cloths or would that damage them too? I have some really hairy ones at the moment and reluctant to put them in the washing machine so was thinking of blasting the hair off them with the pressure washer first!
 
spotty_pony2 said:
Sorry to jump on the thread - has anybody pressure washed saddle cloths or would that damage them too? I have some really hairy ones at the moment and reluctant to put them in the washing machine so was thinking of blasting the hair off them with the pressure washer first!
Click to expand...
I wouldn't do that you are likely to damage them. Try these and some elbow grease, they will fetch the hair off without causing any damage. You will then be able to wash them
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpet-Pet-Hair-Remover-Pack/dp/B004867J5G
 
spotty_pony2 said:
Sorry to jump on the thread - has anybody pressure washed saddle cloths or would that damage them too? I have some really hairy ones at the moment and reluctant to put them in the washing machine so was thinking of blasting the hair off them with the pressure washer first!
Click to expand...
you can get the hairs off with a dog comb like this https://www.animed.co.uk/ancol-wood...gnid=21614023139&adgroupid=&keyword=&device=c

and then put the saddle cloth in a wash bag in the machine (to protect the machine)

if you try to pressure wash your own hand (anyone thinking of trying one on rugs etc) you will find how harsh and unsuitable it is.
 
Andie02 said:
This type of dog slicker is good for cleaning hook velcro's @paddy555 , would it pull the stitching on saddle cloths ?
Click to expand...

Naturals

These pads are made with our 65/35 wool blend on top and bottom. They feature the velcro along the spine, and will be offered with and without 1/2" foam on the site. We will be launching these cuties in our two most popular endurance shapes, 25"x 20" and 27"x19". They are ultra breathable and s
www.skitosaddlepads.com www.skitosaddlepads.com

these are my sort of saddle pads. ie synthetic type sheepskin or real. I clean them all with the slicker to get rid of the hair and then into the washbag. Then when dry I slicker them again to get the sheepskin nice. Absolutely no damage to the saddle pad over many years. A lot of hair does come out in the slicker brush.
 
I would be concerned with pulling the stitching with the slicker on some types of saddle cloths and rugs, which is why I always used the rubber thingies on hairy rugs and numnahs when I was doing rugs. You can get pressure on to de-hair without causing any damage to stitching.
 
thanks guys - one more question… do those of you with synthetic girths also put them in the washer in a bag? Do you find it damages the machine? Asking as I’ve just got a new washer, wasn’t bothered about the old one as it was really old but don’t want to break this one. 😬
 
spotty_pony2 said:
thanks guys - one more question… do those of you with synthetic girths also put them in the washer in a bag? Do you find it damages the machine? Asking as I’ve just got a new washer, wasn’t bothered about the old one as it was really old but don’t want to break this one. 😬
Click to expand...
With synthetics I'd give them a quick rinse after every ride when it's warm enough, or a good hose off when possible. I wouldn't throw one in my washer.
 
Gotcha! None of our synthetics are sheepskin lined. They are all just synthetic (which is handy with the racehorses!). I'm not sure what to recommend for your particular girth. My riding horse girths are all leather, which is easy to clean.
 
When I was washing rugs I was doing 250 a year on average. I used a petrol Karcher powerwasher, there's a knack to it . I never damaged any fabric you just have to know what you can get away with and what you cant plus turn the pressure down as you need to.
Once the dirt was off I chucked them in a 100 litre tub of water with disinfectant in to freshen them up and hung them over washing line outside to drip dry.
Hard work but profitable.
Then, I was working in a learning disabilities hospital in the 90's as well as doing saddlery, repairs etc and still washed rugs. I had access to the laundry in the hospital :) and as the hospital was closing down I used it to wash stable rugs and dry them.
Saved a lot of hard work.
Oz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top