Keeping riding clothes in the car...

[Sycamore123]

Appreciate this is a strange one but sure I’m not the only one with this problem!
I regularly go to the yard straight from work, or from shopping etc. Because of this I keep my boots, hat, and waterproofs in the car. I’ve just got back today, and I’m trying to dry my coat and waterproof trousers over the back seat of my car, and I’ve got my wet boots in carrier bags. Not surprisingly, my car smells, is dirty and every time I clean it, goes straight back to how it was... I’ve got nowhere in the house to dry my riding stuff (very little house!), and even if I did, I doubt my partner would be keen on the idea! I’ve got nowhere watertight to leave clothes at the yard. I currently change into flip flops to drive and keep my boots in the boot, but then my flip flops seem to get dirty in the walk from the boot to the front seat?
Does anyone do the same thing, and somehow have a clean, non smelling car?
Thank you!

 

[DirectorFury]

Get a Defender, you can hose out the inside, job done ?.

More seriously, are you absolutely sure there’s no way to dry your wet clothes at your house? They’re going to make the car soaking wet inside - and in winter you end up with frost on the inside of the windscreen - and your clothes will never really dry and will end stinking and mouldy.

I keep riding clothes in a kitbag in the car permanently but if they’re worn or get wet they come into the house to be cleaned and dried.

Re: general cleanliness; you could take it to a hand car wash every week for £5ish but there are ethical concerns with these.

 

[Griffin]

My car is usually reasonable, except for the depths of winter when everything is just mud!

However, I find if you have a proper waterproof boot liner, that really helps to contain the dirt. You can also get plastic seat covers and rubber car mats are easy to clean.

With drying stuff, you are much better to take into the house to properly dry off than leaving in your car. If you hang up your wet coat over the bath for a few hours, that is often enough to get them nearly dry and then you can hang them up normally in that hall (or wherever). I am assuming that you don't use your bath 24/7

 

[Baywonder]

It is a tricky one - especially in the middle of winter.

Boot liners are great, so I would invest in one of those. As for inside the car, try and get some cheap mats to put down to catch the worst of the mud and dirt. If you do need to keep wet clothes in the car, you could try those dehumidifier pots you use on window sills inside the house. They may help with the damp.

I used to chuck my coat and tack into my boot, then I would sit in the drivers seat, but keep my feet outside. Then I would take off my muddy boots and put them straight into a plastic bin liner, then put on a clean pair of shoes I kept in the car. I could then put my boots inside the car safely wrapped up in the bag and sort them when I got home.

 

[Goldenstar]

get rid of your OH use the extra space for drying riding stuff.

 

[Splash2310]

I tend to hose down my boots at the yard, then have separate boot bags for my wellies and my riding boots - which keeps everything neat and stops any excess mud/straw going everywhere.

The bag with my riding boots in also fits my hat, gloves, whip and high-vis in.

We have a couple of waterproofs that live in the car for emergencies, but I would definitely try and dry them off inside at home if you can? Even in the bathroom?

If you really can’t, do you have a rug rail or a trunk you could leave to dry on? Or even in the tack room somewhere?

 

[nikkimariet]

get rid of your OH use the extra space for drying riding stuff.

Brilliant

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ehmm. Sorry, and don't want to appear nit-picky, but PLEASE please please DO NOT drive in flipflops!! They are not safe to drive in, and you risk not only involving yourself in an accident but also may find that your insurance may not be helpful should you find yourself in a position where you need to claim.

Re. your clothing dilemma. Buy yourself a couple of boiler-suits cheaply on e-bay: and keep in your car. They will protect your more expensive horsey clothes and will be far easier to chuck in the wash. I have four pairs: two summerweight ones and two larger ones for winter where you can wear all the warm clothes you need underneath and so stay warm!

 

[Sycamore123]

Thank you all, some really helpful ideas!!