Prepping Rugs for Winter

[Dyllymoo]

I have always taken mine to a rug laundry and had them washed and reproofed but unsure what to do as I have seen that can damage the waterproofness?

What do you do? I only have 2 to do and I do have access to a pressure washer.

Thoughts?

 

[scats]

Shake the spiders out, with much shrieking and fleeing...

 

[Dyllymoo]

Shake the spiders out, with much shrieking and fleeing...

I think I need to at least clean the inside of his main one as its grim!!

 

[southerncomfort]

Buy a new one! ?

 

[PSD]

Buy a new one! ?

I second this ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

I used to get mine done professionally but don’t anymore, firstly as you say it’s said to damage the waterproofing and secondly it just got too expensive.
On a nice day I get a bucket of warm water with non bio washing liquid. Give the inside a good hose then scrub with the solution and rinse off. Same outside. With a bit of elbow grease they come up surprisingly well.

 

[Polos Mum]

bit of a scrub with some washing up liquid on the inside to get the grease out and gentle jet wash. Done in 20 mins for 2 rugs - then hand somewhere to dry - so a nice warm day job (if we have any of those!)

 

[Griffin]

I get mine professionally washed and reproofed once a year because it is a job that I can't face doing myself. I have never had any problems with the waterproofing no longer working afterwards.

I have a lot of rugs to clean each year but if I didn't, I would probably clean them myself with some soapy water. You can buy reproofer to give them a quick spray when they're dry to make sure they are still waterproof.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

Buy a bigger washing machine ?

I used to wash my Rhinos with a sponge and scrubbing brush but now I put them on a cool wash with eco detergent, hang out to dry and then reproofing with Fabsil. The liners are removed and washed every few weeks in winter. I can’t stand stinky rugs that smell like a wet Labrador.

 

[poiuytrewq]

The snuggy hood liners look quite useful I thought, very thin satin type fabric so I’m guessing would dry super fast and not add unwanted bulk or warmth. Anyone tried one?

 

[CazD]

I put the lightweight rugs in my own washing machine with nikwax wash. They get washed every year. The big heavy rugs go away to be washed every couple of years. All washed rugs get painted with fabsil as I find nikwax is never enough to keep them waterproof.

 

[Jeni the dragon]

We've got a local rug wash that does turnouts for £15, washed and reproofed, picks up and drops off. Plus does repairs at cost. They come back looking amazing and, touches wood, I've never had any problems with leaking after.

Tend to get them done every couple of years as I'm not organised enough to have them done every year!

 

[GoldenWillow]

I gave up getting rugs professionally washed, as like mentioned above, they never seemed as waterproof afterwards. I scrub the inside with a dandy brush and cold water which gets 90% of the grease off, hose the outside off then hang over a gate until dry.

 

[wiglet]

I get mine professionally washed and reproofed once a year because it is a job that I can't face doing myself. I have never had any problems with the waterproofing no longer working afterwards.

Same for me and never had any problems either EXCEPT for rainsheets... they never get washed and my current Amigo rainsheet has remained waterproof for 5 years now. Once they start to leak, I just replace with new.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

I get my heavier ones (all Horseware) professionally washed and reproofed once a year and I also haven't had any issues with rain leaking through. My Amigo no-fill has now lost its waterproofing but I have had it for probably seven years now, so I can justify buying a new one woohoo! I will keep it and use it as an under-rug when it gets bitter.

 

[Fransurrey]

I wash and reproof mine in the machine (lightweights) using Nikwax, after first running the machine on empty to clear detergent. I have a large tub I use to wash anything with a fill outside on a hot day. I normally soak the rug for an hour or two in the re-proofer before rinsing with the hose.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Stable rugs, coolers etc are washed at home every couple of weeks or as needed. TO rugs are professionally cleaned every 3 months and just hosed off in between if very muddy.
We're on clay soil and it's hard to get the mud out without an industrial machine. My oldest rugs are probably nearly 20 years old and still come up like new. I don't begrudge the equine laundry a penny. They do a great job.