Reproofing rugs - but what about when they are breathable rugs?

Birker2020

Birker2020

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When you send your all singing all dancing breathable rug off to the rug cleaners for reproofing (bearing in mind they will stick it in a machine and bung the reproofing stuff in with it) have any of you ever thought that it would no longer be breathable on the inside of the rug?:confused:

Just something someone clever mentioned sometime ago either on this forum or in daily life at the stables.:)

What are your views on this? How can it remain breathable when it is clogged up with reproofer designed to keep moisture out, (and that will include not letting sweat out from the horses body too won't it??):confused::confused::confused::confused:
 
I have my own small rug laundry business and 3 of my own horses (so tried and tested) - I only use Nikwax wash and proof which is designed to be used specifically for horse rugs. Yes they do get put though a large washing machine and I wash in the proof . (The 40 degree heat activates the proof). I have had great results from this and have not had any complaints - from either my own horses or clients regarding breathability. Infact the proof is designed to maintain the breathability of the rugs. I have also used the wash and proof on my own winter jackets and the results have been excellent.
 
Ditto other poster, I only use Nikwax for washing and re-proofing rugs, I too have my own Rug Wash business. The breathability is affected by dirty rugs being clogged up with dirt and grease, they then "sweat" giving the impression of a leaking rug when this is in fact not the case. Nikwax is the best product and I too also use their products for coats. I do a lot of coats for people on the yard along with their rugs and no complaints about either. I wash and re-proof my own rugs year after year and they are perfect. Most turnout rugs are lined with nylon material and are therefore unaffected by the re-proofer.
 
You can buy the Nikwax stuff in tack shops and walking shops, we use it for all our waterproof breathable outdoor gear - jackets, trousers, gloves, and horse's lightweight turnouts go in with them as well.
If you do it yourself always use the Nikwax washing liquid first, so it doesn't interfere with any special coatings already there, and obviously no fabric conditioner. THAT would wreck the breathability.
 
Also a Nikwax fan. :)

Part of the trick is to NEVER wash you waterproof stuff with detergent, even when it just needs a clean and not a full reproof. Given what good quality tech materials cost, it's worth investing in the non-stripping cleaner.

I've also made a few things waterproof that really shouldn't be - it can be a great stop gap measure with a cheap rug/coat, although it's not substitute for a proper one. I also use the "polar proof" - it won't keep you dry in the heavy rain but it does help keep the damp away.
 
Aurorab said:
I have my own small rug laundry business and 3 of my own horses (so tried and tested) - I only use Nikwax wash and proof which is designed to be used specifically for horse rugs. Yes they do get put though a large washing machine and I wash in the proof . (The 40 degree heat activates the proof). I have had great results from this and have not had any complaints - from either my own horses or clients regarding breathability. Infact the proof is designed to maintain the breathability of the rugs. I have also used the wash and proof on my own winter jackets and the results have been excellent.
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me too! although my machine (18kilo ipso) is programmed to washin cold/warm as some rugs only say cold/warm wash.

cinnamontoast, if you are planning to use your own house washing machine, MOST household machines will not take any thing over a middle weight 5'6'' comfortably, any thin above the rug will not be ''aggitated'' enough to clean and get the proof into the rug, as rug will not be able to move freely enogh in machine.
the proofer will not harm your machine if you decide to use it. just make sure you clear all the persill/aerial type detergant out so rug doesnt get ''comtaminated''.
 
kaluki said:
me too! although my machine (18kilo ipso) is programmed to washin cold/warm as some rugs only say cold/warm wash.

cinnamontoast, if you are planning to use your own house washing machine, MOST household machines will not take any thing over a middle weight 5'6'' comfortably, any thin above the rug will not be ''aggitated'' enough to clean and get the proof into the rug, as rug will not be able to move freely enogh in machine.
the proofer will not harm your machine if you decide to use it. just make sure you clear all the persill/aerial type detergant out so rug doesnt get ''comtaminated''.
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This, basically. My home machine would struggle with anything more than a lightweight rug, but I use the proofer regularly on my outdoor clothes, dogs jumpers etc. It certainly prolongs the life of waterproofs etc.

With some you can soak a clean rug in the solution and then hang to dry but be warned, it will take forever to dry and if you get the proofer on the floor, surfaces etc it's tough to get off. If I have to do a rug quickly I use outdoor clothing/tent spray and just do as thorough a job as possible. It's not nearly as effective but a decent short term solution, especially if you keep it up.

When I had access to a heavy duty machine I did ALL the horses' rugs, including the indoor ones. It kept them much nicer looking and easier to clean.
 
I wash all my 6'6 combo rugs in my 8kg washing machine. This year I washed them at 30 degrees on the long wash - and extra rince. And repeated it if they inside or outsides weren't fully clean. Then I dried them and applied this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001GU2EIO/ref=pe_217191_31005151_3p_dp_1)

Brilliant! I can vouch that it works and keeps the rugs breathable. I've used it on my Fal Silver interactives and Rambos as well as a bunch of cheaper turnouts like Landa light.
 
Spyda said:
I wash all my 6'6 combo rugs in my 8kg washing machine. This year I washed them at 30 degrees on the long wash - and extra rince. And repeated it if they inside or outsides weren't fully clean. Then I dried them and applied this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001GU2EIO/ref=pe_217191_31005151_3p_dp_1)

Brilliant! I can vouch that it works and keeps the rugs breathable. I've used it on my Fal Silver interactives and Rambos as well as a bunch of cheaper turnouts like Landa light.
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Have you had any horses react to it? It doesn't seem to be indicated for wearable fabrics and has a warning about skin contact, which would make me a bit nervous, but if it does the job it looks great!
 
This interests me. I have a heavyweight Bucas that I don't use anymore but had it cleaned and re-proofed after it was last used. During the recent cold weather I discovered it was excellent for wrapping the hosepipe in to stop it from freezing. The interesting bit is that any water that gets on the inside of the rug just runs off and doesn't get soaked up by the lining - excellent for this purpose but surely it means that it can't be breathable any more?
 
dalidaydream said:
This interests me. I have a heavyweight Bucas that I don't use anymore but had it cleaned and re-proofed after it was last used. During the recent cold weather I discovered it was excellent for wrapping the hosepipe in to stop it from freezing. The interesting bit is that any water that gets on the inside of the rug just runs off and doesn't get soaked up by the lining - excellent for this purpose but surely it means that it can't be breathable any more?
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There are modern materials and treatments now that repel water but retain breathability - Gortex is probably the most famous brand name but any of the wash in waterproofer for sport/outdoor clothes do a similar job. Even some fleeces are like that now. I have a couple of fleeces that are not waterproof but certainly water resistant and don't absorb water into the material. Even my dog has a similar jumper. :)

Most breathable coatings will fail eventually, vs something like plastic, but that's the trade off.
 
TarrSteps said:
Have you had any horses react to it? It doesn't seem to be indicated for wearable fabrics and has a warning about skin contact, which would make me a bit nervous, but if it does the job it looks great!
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Happy to report that there have been absolutely no adverse reactions to the applications; and this includes my extremely (ridiculously so, infact) sensitive WB.

Decanted from the tin, the liquid resembles water with a touch of milk added to it; in both consistency (it's simply like water) and in colour (looks like weak milky water). There is hardly any smell at all to it, and there's certainly nothing strong or chemical about it (unlike some of the equine products I've used in the past.) When you paint it onto the outside of the rugs it soakes in just like water would to an untreated fabric. The treated rugs have to be thoroughly dried before being used (I leave mine for a couple fo days to be absolutely sure the fabric's dry) and once so, they have no absolutely no smell or residual feel left from the treatment. Infact, you'd be hard pressed to know anything had been applied to the outer shell if you didn't know you'd done it. However, even in torential rain and after a good roll in wet mud, the insides of the rugs remain completely dry and after one of mine got herself thoroughly worked up in the field, galloping up and down the fenceline (after being left last to be brought in), she came in hot and puffing but not sweaty, so I can vouch for the breathability too. Since I use about 1/3 of a tin on each of my 6'6 combo turnout rugs I'm not sure how much cheaper using the Ronseal alternative is to having your rugs reproofed during a professional wash, but it definitely does the job so in my opinion is worth the effort. I've always used the Nixwax in-wash reproofers before, but it doesn't always do the best job and is very hit and miss.
 
TarrSteps said:
There are modern materials and treatments now that repel water but retain breathability - Gortex is probably the most famous brand name but any of the wash in waterproofer for sport/outdoor clothes do a similar job. Even some fleeces are like that now. I have a couple of fleeces that are not waterproof but certainly water resistant and don't absorb water into the material. Even my dog has a similar jumper. :)

Most breathable coatings will fail eventually, vs something like plastic, but that's the trade off.
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Ah yes, my dog has an Equafleece but this is different - the water actually runs off the fleecy lining of the rug in droplets, it doesn't penetrate at all. The Equafleece as far as I understand it (and I'm happy to be corrected if I'm wrong) works by the warmth of the animal wearing it, certainly my dogs coat can be wringing wet but she is perfectly dry underneath.
 
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