Horse rug washing

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Bayracer

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I’m in process of setting up a horse rug washing and reporting business as I believe there is a lot of interest in the area but could do with a bit of help from you lovely people.

How much would you be willing to pay for a wash?
How much would you be willing to pay for wash and reproof?
Would you prefer to drop off or have them collected?

Are there any other services you would like that can run along side?

Thank you for your help.
 
Wash I normally expect to pay around £10-15 depending on type of rug, wash & reproof £15-20.

Personally I drop off but that’s because I only have a few and they go to a tack shop so I get to browse :) , I know lots who like a pick up service too.

Offering repairs is essential in my opinion. I wouldn’t consider taking my rugs to a place that only washed as chances are one or more will need a patch or a bit of restitching to a strap etc.
 
Hi I recently paid £47 for two outdoor rugs wash and reproof and one heavyweight stable rug just wash. The business has just been bought by the owner of the local launderette who used to act as an agent. She will pick up if there are 10 rugs and do one rug wash foc, gives 10% discount to PC members and I believe will pick up if in a certain area or you can drop off at the launderette. She does repairs but I'm not sure what she charges. Good luck with the business I hope it goes well.
 
I recently paid £17 for a wash and reproof of a 6'9" HW turnout. I dropped it off at a tack shop. They use nikwax products which I believe are the best and are recommended by Rambo, I did ask before I entrusted my rug to them.

Offering repairs would be a big plus.

Good luck.
 
Hi All,

Thank you for your reply’s. I would offer repairs along side.
Do you think there would be any interest in washing numnahs and boots etc or are must people happy washing them themselves?

Thanks again
 
Link to price list of the person I use as I couldn't be bothered to type it all out. http://www.priorycarriages.com/prices.php

I prefer collection and drop off but I try and fit in when she's in the area. I'd be careful of not ending up driving miles for one rug. The other option is to have a pick up points.

Personally I only use professional rug cleaners for anything I can't fit in my washing machine plus things like numnahs and boots I probably want a quicker turnaround rather than rugs which I do at the end of the winter or summer.
 
I have recently said£20 for wash and proof. Saddle pads and boots there could be a demand, but personally I either hand wash or put them in my washing machine. I do know people that would say for the service. Good luck with it.
 
We used to run a horse rug wash & repair business. We had an outhouse plumbed in, bought a big industrial washing machine & sewing machine, rug racks etc. We charged (a few years back although it hasn't changed much) around £10 for washing a rug, £15 to reproof it. We used Nikwax, & found the spray on stuff better than the wash in stuff. People do get boots, numnahs etc done, because it saves their own washing machines. Washing dog beds is another thing people ask for, which are easy to do. Generally we found people preferred us to collect their rugs, rather than bringing them to us, but you can also set up a collection/delivery arrangement with local tack shops, feed stores etc. Repairs alongside washing is pretty essential really - although we didn't do repairs without washing the rug first. Make sure you get yourself a decent accountant, he'll save you more than he costs, & don't be afraid to spend in your first year. We found it was a very seasonal business, with some quiet spells & some crazy busy spells. The other bit of advice i'd give, personally, if i was to do it again, if possible i'd set it up even just a 5min drive from home instead of on our own premises ... it's very easy to get sucked in to working until 10pm at night if you don't have to drive to work! Good luck!
 
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In my experience the amount customers are willing to pay, and the amount it actually costs are two separate factors that you need to consider whilst setting up your business. Be sure to accurately calculate all of the overheads involved in washing/washing & reproofing/repairing the various types of rugs/other items, and remember to take into consideration a profit margin you consider to be beneficial for your efforts. Good luck setting up your business :-)
 
StargazerLily said:
In my experience the amount customers are willing to pay, and the amount it actually costs are two separate factors that you need to consider whilst setting up your business. Be sure to accurately calculate all of the overheads involved in washing/washing & reproofing/repairing the various types of rugs/other items, and remember to take into consideration a profit margin you consider to be beneficial for your efforts. Good luck setting up your business :-)
Click to expand...

Could not put it better myself StargazerLily !!!
 
I have two horses, and think I am tight.

I tend to use liners under turnouts and wash those in home machine.

I pressure wash turnouts over a gate, when I want them clean to hand reproof with tent re-proofer (either in a plant sprayer or painted on).

Probably only every few years per rug or as needed.

Good rug washes charge £15-20 to wash and reproof a combo rug. I have 4 combo turnout rugs, and 3 LW turnouts per horse!

And there is the risk that the rug place de-waterproofs the rug when washing!

My saddler mends rugs, starting at £5 for small repairs. Though I have strong waxed plaiting thread, sail mending curved needles, and patches, and gorilla tape, and can mend most things.
 
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