Rug washing - money saving tips

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Natassia

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I want to wash all my winter rugs myself this year, apart from one h/w turnout I've already sent away because it needs repairing as well. I was going to go to the launderette because my washing machine is too small and the only horsey things mum will have in it are numnahs!
Is it ok to use a normal detergent/washing powder or do you have to use the expensive rug detergents?
I was going to wash my turnout rugs and then spray a re-proofer on them, would this be ok?
 
To be honest if you can possibly resist washing the turnouts you will find they stay much more waterproof. They are never quite as good once they have been washed, especially if you DIY re-proof them.

Your horse will only roll in mud and poo as soon as he puts on his nice clean rug and you'll be back to square one!

If you do wash them I would use the Nikwax products, not ordinary detergent. You can get a rug wash, and a reproofer which I prefer to apply diluted with a sponge and rinse off, rather than in the machine. I haven't had much success with the spray reproofers.
 
If there is an attendant at the launderette you may find you will not be allowed to wash your horse's rugs there.

How would you feel if you were next to use the machine after it had had hairy, muddy horse rugs in it, and your undies ended up hairy?

I think you should just send them to be cleaned properly. It's not that expensive and the time and effort you will save will be worth it.
 
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If there is an attendant at the launderette you may find you will not be allowed to wash your horse's rugs there.

How would you feel if you were next to use the machine after it had had hairy, muddy horse rugs in it, and your undies ended up hairy?

I think you should just send them to be cleaned properly. It's not that expensive and the time and effort you will save will be worth it.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I tried to sneak in some saddle cloths. I was told I was not allowed to use the laundrette machines. Just send them off.
 
Power hose and a yard broom, that's all mine get. That's if they are lucky. Mostly they get hung in the barn and forgotten until next season when I have to brush the spiders out of them.
blush.gif
 
Funny - where I use to live the guy at the launderette had no problem whatsoever with me using the machines - at the end of the day they are steel drums and horse poo will not be absorbed lol. Probably polite to ask though!
The other thing that I would like to add is that it is no worse than the old peoples homes washing that most launderettes do as service washes - now that does turn your stomach!
 
I washed a LW turnout, and reproofed it myself. By the time I'd bought the reproofer, and accounted for the detergent, electricity, the hour it cost to apply the reproofer etc - it was cheaper to send it away.

Don't bother doing it - just save your time and money and send them away.

BTW - I don't think I would be bothered by poo going through the machines, just like washing babies nappies and OH's oily overalls. But I would mind wet hay stalks and hair in my smalls.
 
I am sure I read a post on here before that said you can pressure washer to remove mud etc and it wont destroy the proofing because it uses no detergents.

However, I wouldn't like to say for sure. Can anyone confirm this?
 
Personally I would send them to be done but near me there is a large industrial launderette that you can just drop the rugs off and pick them up later. It's based in one of those industrial areas so i'm sure there is more of them around
 
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I am sure I read a post on here before that said you can pressure washer to remove mud etc and it wont destroy the proofing because it uses no detergents.

However, I wouldn't like to say for sure. Can anyone confirm this?

[/ QUOTE ]

That was my post. Yes you can!
 
The launderette I use for my stable rugs and fleeces is unattended and really rough, I have never seen anyone else in there so I don't think anyone would object!
I moght just powerhose them and use a reproofer then, just to make sure they stay properly waterproof, and wash my indoor rugs as usual.
Thanks for replying!
 
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