Washing horsey jackets

[Kingfisher95]

I got caught out today and had to do my horse in a jacket that I was trying to prevent become a "yard" jacket. Safe to say, muddy rugs, muddy ponies and buckets of rain and it doesn't look or smell too good any more. Any tips of tricks to try and clean it without removing the waterproofing? I've been told not to use bio or soap flakes. I would use just water but I'm fairly sure the smell won't come out with just that.

Sadly I am the person who doesn't mind smelling like a horse while I'm around them, but doesn't really like it following me around all day!

I'm currently a student so only have access to scary industrial washing machines which I am certain will ruin it, which I guess means I'll have to hand wash it. What a fun job to look forward to tomorrow.

 

[Kaylum]

What do the instructions say?

 

[mytwofriends]

I have a jacket like that. I've washed it on a cold wash with a tiny amount of non bio powder, absolutely no fabric softener, and then hung to dry. That has worked for me so far.

The more you try to keep a jacket - or anything - clean whilst doing horses, is actually impossible!

 

[Shay]

Probably best to either - say what make of jacket it is so people can advise - or read the instruction label. The advice to clean a tweed is going to be different from the advice to clean a babour.

 

[Dubsie]

I would do a wool wash (30 or 40 depending on the label) with a wool shampoo OR the Nic Wax wash, and if that was no longer waterproof would reproof with their waterproofer.

 

[Hallo2012]

short wash cycle (sometimes called freshen up, its between 12 and 14 mins long) with NO washing powder will get rid of the smell and light dirt if its only been abused once.

if its dripping mud or stinking its going to have to go on a 30 delicates cycle with some none bio but i never use washing liquid with any of my riding coats and they come up lovely (i have a super minging long yard coat for anything other than riding, and i dont care if that gets filthy or stinky)

 

[Kingfisher95]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going risk a delicates wash with no detergent once I've hand washed most of the muck off. It's not a common brand of jacket B&C or something like that, I bought it from my university. 100% polyester but super cosy. Usually I don't worry about my yard jackets and just bang them in the wash and reproof as necessary, but I'm feeling a little precious over this one!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I put cheap shampoo in instead of detergent. It doesn't strip out the waterproofer and helps with the dirt/smell.