Cleaning turnout rugs

[Gorgeous George]

Is it possible to clean a turnout rug yourself? George has a thin summer rain sheet that will comfortably fit in my washing machine, but if I wash it myself will it lose its waterproof properties?

Thanks

 

[scotsmare]

If possible hang it up over a fence and power hose it rather than shoving it in the machine - it won't be squeaky clean but the worst of the grime will go and it should stay waterproof.

 

[merlinsquest]

I put mine in the washing machine with net tex or rambo rug wash and reproofer...... not convinced it is as waterproof as before though

I dont worry about the outside, its the greasy liner that I cant stand.... that cold greasy feeling makes my hairs stand on end!!!

 

[Cahill]

i think any biological product will make it not waterproof.

agree with scotsmare,hose it and to avoid the greasy insides use a cotton sheet or fleece underneath.

 

[stencilface]

Or get your horse to put rips in it at the end of each season, so it gets sent to be fixed and cleaned at the same time

 

[piebaldsparkle]

If you put it in your machine on a cool wash, with a proper non bio rug wash, and then reproof it will be fine.

 

[Happytohack]

The only time I washed a so-called washable rug, it was completely unwaterproof afterwards. Now I hang them on a fence and wash them with a pressure washer. It gets most of the mud and dirt off them, but they are still waterproof. And Geoge won't mind if they aren't pristine. Alternatively, buy a heavy hairy horse - they don't need rugging in the first place

 

[Boysy]

They won't lose any waterproofing at all if you just wash them on a cool cycle without any detergent. They come out fine althou put a bowl underneath when you take it out the washing machine as because they are waterproof, the water pools on them and floods out when you pull them out......

I do all my heavy turnouts in the local launderette, £6 for a massive machine, no detergent and they come out fine. Lighter rugs get chucked in the machine at hme.

 

[milliepops]

I wash most of my own rugs as I'm too mean to pay to have them done

As scotsmare says, I do mine with a hosepipe to get the worst off the outside, and use some very slightly soapy warm water to get the grease off the inside. Works for me!

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

You can also buy a spray-on reproofer which I find much better than the wash-in ones. Just spray the clean rug all over when it's dry.

 

[SouthWestWhippet]

We cleaned all ours this summer by soaking them overnight in a barrel with some washing up liquid then jet washing them.

They still appear to be keeping the rain out

I think you'll be fine and having a rug reproofed isn't too expensive anyway.

 

[ermintrudecow]

yes, you can get a spray on waterproofer.... if your local tack shop doesn't have any, try your local rambling shop (www.cotswoldoutdoor.com for example) my waterproofs come up a treat after washing and re-spraying.