Should Rugs Stay Waterproof For Ever?

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wiglet

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As the title really.
I have a 40g Premier Equine rug. Must of had it 8 years and it has stayed waterproof although I have never sent it away for cleaning or proofing. Instead I just hosed off the rug in summer and left to dry in the sun.

Noticed last year it had started to leak so I sent it for a professional wash and re-proof. It has not stayed waterproof though :(

Now, the rug is old and it doesn't owe me anything but, should it of stayed waterproof or do old rugs just not stay waterproof? Part of me says the rug has been professionally re-proofed and should be watertight but, I have always found that once you start washing and proofing LW rugs, they just don't work properly... anyone else found this?

So, do I complain to the rug company and ask them to re-proof ( although still no guarantee of it being waterproof) or just cut my losses and buy another one?
 
Cut your losses and buy another one. 8 years is pretty good going! Unless it comes with a lifetime guarantee the manufacturer would laugh at you (never seen a rug with a lifetime guarantee to date).

I don't reproof rugs as the breathable insides becomes waterproof in the process when done professionally although have just 'painted' nikwax on outside of a rug myself in the past.

My TB's lightweight is not longer waterproof so getting him a new one - there are loads of deals on at the moment.
 
I just reproof them myself, either yearly or less often depending on use. Clean them myself & reproof. Used to paint on the hydrophane one, now use tent reproofer. Still got some 20yr old ones that are fine in any weather.
 
I would try rinsing it, a lot. If rugs are like human jackets they need the DWR (what makes the water bead off the outside) to function to keep the whole fabric waterproof - if the outside of the fabric gets wet then the water will push through. Detergent left in the rug will affect the DWR - some people say that even the harshest of detergents can be used as long as you rinse and rinse and rinse. It also might be the seams that are leaking, and they can be sealed easily with the right stuff.

Lightweight rugs are the hardest to keep waterproof for many reasons.
 
No, LW's in particular don't stay waterproof (dunno why!). If it's been ok for 8 years you're doing well.

I've also found that washing and "re proofing" makes them less waterproof if anything :0(

Incidentally, having tried 5 different makes of LW I've finally found Shires Tempest Lite which they seem to stay dry under even in monsoon season (what we used to call summer). Bought the last two new on ebay for £28 each.
 
Mmm... it just seems such a pity to chuck it away - the rug itself is in pristine condition (my girl takes care of her rugs :D) it's just not waterproof :(

I might try rinsing it a few times - see it it works.

Polotash - I too have an ancient Shires LW - must be 12 years old and it's still waterproof! Unfortunately it's too small for my mare but my friend uses it occasionally in times of need!
 
Just get some reproofer from a camping shop. Most winters I only use one rug of each weight because they are watertight enough that I don't really need spares. Two decades of cleaning & reproofing certainly hasn't done any harm.
 
I can't remember which brand it was I used, one of the cheaper ones from a little independent shop. Got it 2yrs ago & finished the bottle or I'd check for you.
 
For those that reproof, do you paint it on or wash in? I've just done 3 of mine, including a Shires which up 'til now has been excellent with Nikwax cotton proof in the washing machine. Will post if they survive the expected monsoon.
 
I would buy some Nickwax reproofer. They do rug specific products that won't compromise breathability. They also do ones for coats etc and they really do work as I use them on my coats! Contact them for advice.

It could also be that the seams need retaping/sealing.
 
Millikins said:
For those that reproof, do you paint it on or wash in? I've just done 3 of mine, including a Shires which up 'til now has been excellent with Nikwax cotton proof in the washing machine. Will post if they survive the expected monsoon.
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You need to do what the instructions on the reproofer say, as that may affect the outcome.
 
I've followed the instructions, it's a wash in product but I did wonder if I'd reproofed the inside too. Also if I used enough, the bottle just says "items"
 
Well if the instructions say wash in then you have done the right thing irrespective of what everyone else does. However I wouldn't have used cotton proof as a rug isn't cotton and so this isn't the best product for the job. I would have used the Nickwax rug products, or perhaps those designed for human coats like TX Direct and Tech Wash. You are trying to reproof a waterproof fabric not add some water repellency to cotton.

It is important to read the washing instructions on waterproof fabrics and follow them or you can destroy the waterproofing. I have a waterproof coat that would be ruined if washed in washing powder and many have to be washed in non-bio to retain the waterproof properties. You spend a lot of money on good waterproofs (including rugs) so it makes sense to follow the cleaning instructions to the letter.
 
I am actually favouring a tent reproofer - it will be cheaper (possibly) than Nikwax? Have just looked at the Nikwax stuff and they do a specific Rug Proof... anything specifically equine is ALWAYS three times the cost...

It's for an old rug - last ditch attempt to make it waterproof so I want to go the most economical route - if it's not going to work I might as well just get a new rug :)
 
I use NikWax Rug Proof on my coats becauser it's cheaper :). Grangers (Graingers?) is also supposed to be very good. I'd go further than saying to use non-bio, you should use a very mild detergent, Ecover is the strongest I'd go, and ideally use a proper rug wash or equivalent human/tent product. OR try this route of lots of rinsing - I've been a member of Outdoors Magic forum for a long time and it's something discussed a lot on there. Again it's all about the DWR, the integral waterproofing should go on and on, the DWR does not, but it must work for the overall waterproofing to work.
 
sbloom said:
I use NikWax Rug Proof on my coats becauser it's cheaper :). Grangers (Graingers?) is also supposed to be very good. I'd go further than saying to use non-bio, you should use a very mild detergent, Ecover is the strongest I'd go, and ideally use a proper rug wash or equivalent human/tent product. OR try this route of lots of rinsing - I've been a member of Outdoors Magic forum for a long time and it's something discussed a lot on there. Again it's all about the DWR, the integral waterproofing should go on and on, the DWR does not, but it must work for the overall waterproofing to work.
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Have you checked the ingredients? Depending upon the type of waterproof fabric using rug proof could be fine or could be a disaster...... technical fabrics such as goretex and paramo aren't found in rugs and tend to need special treatment.
 
I know they're not exactly the same and know I'm taking a risk - so far my Musto Suffolk (12 years old?) has stood up very well, as has my Kyra K ED (7 years old) :). My corporate Regatta, well, it's a horrible plastic bag at best anyway so I don't even bother to reproof it :D. When I finally get a nice new proper performance work coat, then I shall dig out the correct NikWax which is lurking in a cupboard somewhere...but...as I say, there is a lot of thinking at the moment that all you need to do is rinse a lot!
 
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