Washing Thermatex rugs - stretch or shrink?

[jenni999]

I have a Thermatex rug which could do with washing but I don't want it to shrink. Has anyone washed one? If so, do they tend to stretch, shrink or stay the same size?

 

[appylass]

Mine is many years old and has been washed both by me, and professionally many times. It doesn't change at all Hope that helps!

 

[snopuma]

I wash mine on a wool cycle with Fairy Non Bio, and conditioner, it has never shrunk of misshapen its about 6 years old now and good as new!

 

[TGM]

Ditto - have washed ours several times and they don't seem to have changed size or shape.

 

[Old Bat]

I regularly wash and tumble dry mine if necessary but they do dry off very quickly. Always kept their shape.

 

[brighteyes]

Wash as per instructions and it will stay exactly the same size.

 

[catkin]

They stay the same size - easy to do in a washing machine and they dry quickly.

Where you might have got the impression that they shrink from is that when you first put them on the horse after washing they may seem very slightly smaller especially if you have the version with cross-over surcingles - a bit like putting on a newly washed jumper of your own! - it hasn't shrunk, it just that they behave like a jersey and mould around the horse and when they've just been washed they have settled back in their original shape (hope that makes sense).

 

[jenni999]

Thanks all for your replies. The reason I was asking is that I bought the rug when I first bought my horse and he was a 6'3" rug size so I bought a 6' as Thermatex recommend a size smaller. He then grew into a 6'6" so its a bit snug. I would be happy if it stretched but can't afford for it to shrink !