How to wash rug in washing machine, please? Anyone do it?

[catembi]

I have been trying to read the instructions on a very grubby bottle of Nicwax with a disintegrating label, which isn't going well... How are you supposed to wash a rug in the machine? I think that it says not to use detergent, but how does the rug get clean without? And then what about the Nicwax? Are you supposed to wash the rug to start with to get the mud etc off, then re-wash it using the Nicwax?

My machine will do 9 kg - I will weigh the rugs & do them one at a time. A saddle I posted weighed 9 kg & I am sure that they are lighter than that.

All tips appreciated. I know to attempt it when o/h is out of the way...

 

[albeg]

Haven't done turnouts, but with liners/fleeces they get very heavy when wet, so I have to turn down the spin speed on my machine or it sounds like it's attempting to take off.
Have used nicwax for jackets and yes, wash first, then re-wash, so I assume the same for rugs. Wash on low temperature and you might need two runs to get the mud out.
Hopefully someone with more helpful info will be along soon.

 

[FFAQ]

You can get rug wash stuff. I use that first and then immediately wash again with a proofing solution.
Best to do it when your other half is out and tell them that the rug is on the line because you washed it with the hose! 😉

 

[awelshandawarmblood]

Best to do it when your other half is out and tell them that the rug is on the line because you washed it with the hose! 😉

I second this! Also make sure to get any left over hairs out of the door bits or you'll be rumbled lol!

 

[Lady Jane]

Nikwax do a wash and a separate reproofer but with turnouts I usually wash with nothing, again if necessary and then use the proofer. The more space the better the wash so have never put anything more than a no fill turnout in the machine but do heavier stable rugs - sometimes do twice to get clean for the heavier ones

 

[meleeka]

I haven’t used that particular repproofer but I think you either run a wash with it alone,’or put in the softener compartment. When it says no detergent you can use a proper wash for waterproof coats which is more like liquid soap.

 

[twofatladies88]

Meeeeeee! I have an outside washing machine for the ponies - one of life's little luxuries as I hate smelly rugs/numnahs! I always wash the turnout rugs twice and then add the nicwax and put on another wash cycle. Never had a problem and my rugs are 10 - 12 years old.

 

[Chuffy99]

Great tip I got from on here was to hoover the machine out afterwards so hairs don’t give you away

 

[Surbie]

You can buy large petbags to put the rugs in so the hair doesn't get everywhere.

This is what I mean - you might be able to find the same thing cheaper elsewhere
Large horsewear washbag

 

[SEL]

Shove rug in machine with some specialist stuff that is OK to use for waterproof clothes

Listen to it clanking around for an hour and hope it doesn't break the machine

At end of hour open door, wince at smell, shut door and add the waterproofing stuff into the thingy

Run again with waterproof stuff

At end of this cycle pull rug out. Get hairy water all over floor and all through house as you wish you'd remembered a bucket

Throw it over chairs in garden to dry out

Watch it start raining

Forget to clean out machine until OH pulls out all his work clothes covered in horse hair

Forget to clean filter until there is a really, really rank smell from machine


And after all that the flippin thing won't be waterproof any longer and you'll have a shivering horse who will never forgive you.

 

[catembi]

Fab...thank you! I really want an outside washing machine but for now have to make do with what I've got. I was questioned quite extensively on why I 'needed' a 9kg washing machine when there are only two of us... Errm...I just do...!

 

[catembi]

Oh dear, SEL, that is what will probably happen! I want to give it a go as I acquired a really, really cute pink & purple rug for my NF who measures 4 ft 6, but it turns out that she actually needs 4 ft 9, only I used the rug already as she was shivering & v v badly needed one & it looked okay til it had 'settled', so by the time I realised it was too small, it had been rolled in...! I don't really want to pay £18 to get it washed considering that it only cost £25 & I will probably end up selling for £10... Although by the time you factor in buying rug wash, a new washing machine & getting in trouble with o/h...! Aaarrgghhh...!

 

[oldie48]

I'e got a washing machine in the stables and it's great for doing the smaller stuff but I think you do need quite a lot of space/capacity to wash and reproof a rug unless it's thin and/or a small size. In your case I'd get a hose and a stiff brush and clean it off like that.

 

[Red-1]

I would just hose it off. At leats that way it will stay waterproof!

 

[Esmae]

I have a 12kg washing machine. Before the rug goes in I brush them thoroughly to remove hair and loose dirt etc and then I usually run the rugs through without any soap product, just water at no more than 40 degrees. , then Nikwax reproofer after that. They seem to come up okay. On an old rug recently I painted it with brick sealant to reproof and that seemed to do the job for waterproofing. After the rug I run the washer with nothing in it on a cool wash to clean the drum etc and then clean the filter. Job done. a lot of folk don't wash them at all, just brush them clean and hang up. I think the horse doesn't care, the washing is more for our sensibilities. My heavyweights (rarely used) with necks on I washed in a water trough in the summer and scrubbed both sides with a soft brush before rinsing again in water trough. Trouble with that is you need the strength of 10 people to lift the rugs out and be kitted up like the RNLI to keep yourself from a soaking. I hung them over the fence to dry, it took a few days.

 

[Palindrome]

You might get away with just buying a chest expander for the rug, they work well. I have used the Shires and Horseware one.

 

[catembi]

Said pony looking incredibly cute in slightly too small rug which will soon be washed and for sale if I can get o/h out of the house for long enough!

 

[Sandstone1]

I'd pressure hose it. It will probably break the washing machine!
If you do wash it make sure you rinse it out well if you use reproofer otherwise you might end up with waterproof undies!