Does anyone not wash their turnout rugs?

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Gorgeous George

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As above really, my lightweight Mark Todd turnout with neck cover has started leaking :(, I’ve had it washed 3 times in the 3 1/2 years I’ve had it, but never reproofed. I understand that washing and reproofing in particular can really damage the waterproofing of a rug. So I was wondering if there were people on here who never wash their rugs? Obviously the outside doesn’t really matter and I can brush the worst of the muck off, but how do you keep the insides reasonably fresh?

Thanks :)
 
I always have mine reproofed if they are washed. The only rug I've had a problem with this year has been the only one I didn't send to be washed and reproofed. My LW was washed in summer 2009, used in the autumn and again in spring, but I didn't feel it had had enough use to bother having it done. It never leaked last year so I don't know why it has this year, but it is leaking like a sieve this autumn. Everything else has been in to be washed and reproofed every year and have never had one leak (touch wood!).

Personally I would send your TOs in to be washed AND reproofed. Surely the washing washes off the proofing, so you need to put it back on?
 
I've never had mine washed/reproofed. This is my third year of having it. Mare trashed it at end of first winter (although still useable) and it's still waterproof and cosy. Its a requisite one.
The riding school I was at had theirs for years and never sent them to be washed/waterproofed.

I use a brush and brush the hair off but the insides are never muddy etc.
 
mishaspey said:
I've never had mine washed/reproofed. This is my third year of having it. Mare trashed it at end of first winter (although still useable) and it's still waterproof and cosy. Its a requisite one.
The riding school I was at had theirs for years and never sent them to be washed/waterproofed.

I use a brush and brush the hair off but the insides are never muddy etc.
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The best rug I own is one that hasn't been washed or reproofed. I'm starting to think that the washing removes the proofing, which is why you have to have them reproofed, whereas if I'd just left them all and brushed the mud off, they'd all still be totally waterproof. The same thing has happened with waterproof coats - they are always fine until you start washing them, then they are never the same again, regardless of how much proofing you put on.
 
I never wash and reproof mine and haven't had any problems. I always mean to but never get around to it, but haven't had any leakage and some of my turnouts I've had for 7 years plus. If you get it washed though you then need to get it reproofed. I don't worry about the insides, they might get a wipe or brush if filthy, but otherwise just left.
 
Mine turnouts have always been washed and reprinted every year and are still not only in good condition but are totally waterproof. Have never heard of the reprinting damaging rugs - some of mine are getting on for 10 years old now. The newer fabrics are designed to be breathable and the build of sweat, dirt etc reduces it's ability to do that efficiently. Regular cleaning and reprinting extends the life of your rugs as well as making sure your horse gets the full benefit of them.:)
 
I've never yet had a rug that was washed and reproofed and stayed waterproof. I don't wash them or reproof them now. All mine are Horseware, so have the shiny lining which doesn't seem to collect grot.
 
soloequestrian said:
I've never yet had a rug that was washed and reproofed and stayed waterproof. I don't wash them or reproof them now. All mine are Horseware, so have the shiny lining which doesn't seem to collect grot.
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Totally agree with this :)

I have a 12 year old Rambo Wug that has just started leaking at the tail flap. I can live with that! It has never been washed.

Recently I sent a nearly brand new Rambo Wug Lite washed and reproofed after my gelding decided to pull it off the rack and pee on it. Found a lovely puddle of piddle in the middle of it one morning! As it stunk I took it to the local rug wash people. Its now almost totally unusable because it isn't remotely waterproof. Bloody annoying for such an expensive rug!!

I also have a cheap as chips, never been washed, 3 year old 600d Amigo that has never leaked, not even after torrential rain.
 
never washed them so no need to re-proof. I treat them the same as my ornella waterproofs and never had a problem with them since i bought them 4 years ago. Others who have them washed - with or without detergent have had problems.
 
Oh how I wished my rugs lasted long enough to worry about cleaning them! Seem to have to buy new ones every season as they get trashed.
 
Ashamed to say, we have never had a rug washed! We do our own coolers as they are thin/ small enough to put in the washing machine, but TOs and stable rugs dont get washed :o to be honest though, we never spend much on rugs so if it got awful, we would probably be more enclined to replace it.. unless it was my heavyweight TO or stable rug as they are both awesome :p
 
I have a Rambo Duo. Never wash the outer layer but wash the liners. I have washed and reproofed rugs in the past and found they are never as waterproof.
If really caked in mud I brush occasionally and hose off at end of winter.
 
My rug cleaners is a bit sneaky you have to wash the rug before they will repair it for hygene issues apprantly. So they only get a wash and reproof if they need repairing. And I only bother repairing my heavy weights as my medium weights were always cheapy Saxons. However this year they have a Bucas and Rhino med weight so I would get them repaired if anything happened
 
What I've found is any waterproof item, whether horse's rugs or expensive waterproof jackets I've had lose their waterproofness (not a word I know) after a while through wear. Even first winter on when rugs are brand new and should be totally waterproofed the mud when it's been smeared on and even with clumps removed has created patches where rain gets through. Therefore once it comes to a point where that's happening I would get the rug washed and reproofed. Obviously if you do wash a waterproofed item they then have to be reproofed as you will have washed out any remaining waterproofing. I've used Nikwax rug wash and then rug proof stuff on one lightweight turnout as that's the only one I could do in my own washing machine and it was brilliant. The others I send off to be done.
 
Rowenna said:
never washed them so no need to re-proof. I treat them the same as my ornella waterproofs and never had a problem with them since i bought them 4 years ago. Others who have them washed - with or without detergent have had problems.
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I wash my Ornella Prosperri's 2-3 times a year without detergent and have never had a problem with them. Now in their 8th yr - going to buy a new set as the cuffs are pretty frayed and they look a bit tatty! I also only wash mine on 30 degrees and I don't spin them. It's a summertime job!!!
 
I wash my own down the local launderette, never use any detergent, just a 30 degree wash or even cold and they come out smelling fresh and clean, if any leak round seams then i just use Lincoln waterproofing spray, cheapest one out there and IMO the most effective.

The only truly waterproof material is the stuff that wetsuits are made of or Sealskinz stuff or the stuff that motorbike jackets are made of, the name escapes me at the moment but it might be Cordura?
 
Never wash them or reproof them. Turnout rugs are meant to get dirty so don't see the point in trying to clean them!!

Horse lives in turnout rugs in and out of stable.

I do wash his thermatex and other fleeces because they can go in the washing machine and aren't meant to be waterproof.

You wouldn't wash a Barbour so why wash a waterproof rug?!!
 
I never wash my turnout rugs, they are just left to air for a short time & put away for next year.
Liners & fleeces that fit in my washing machine do get a wash.
 
I used to get mine done each yr but after coming back they never seemed as thick or warm, and even though apparantly reproofed never seemed as good. So now i dont bother saves me money and after i have spent a fortune on rugs they keep their warmth and effectiveness - If really bad i hose the outside and she has a fleece or sheet on underneath to keep inside clean. No issues now regarding waterproofness.
 
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