Washing!

[Fransurrey]

Those of us who just chuck stuff in

I am in this camp. My OH is a mechanic, so saddle pads are the least of our worries. I do brush them off, first, but a fair few hairs make it in there and I just collect the wad of soggy fur when I empty the machine. Lovely. I use my own detergent for pads, as we use sensitive stuff anyway.

 

[HopOnTrot]

Trying my first rug! This is a 5ft 6 no fill rug, bought the NikWax wash and proof so will see how it goes.

 

[Fullers1845]

The Dettol washing sanitiser is really good for stopping them stinking up so quickly.

 

[Exasperated]

The Dettol washing sanitiser is really good for stopping them stinking up again so quickly.

Washing soda crystals and bottle of white vinegar, boil wash cycle on empty.

 

[Kaylum]

If you use the orange wash bag wash it separately first as mine bled colour during the first wash on 40 degrees.

 

[ElleSkywalker]

Chuck them in the washing machine I now have a horse/dog washing machine but before this just chucked in the normal one. If they are really hairy I use a magic brush scraper thingy to get the worst off. Fluffles is ridiculously sensitive and can't wear the same pad twice so they get washed every use

 

[Squeak]

I brush them off with a flicky brush first and use a non bio detergent that has less chemicals in such as ecover or ineos. I don't tend to use the bags for the saddle cloths but do for rugs.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

If you go to Aldi or somewhere like it, you can often pick up synthetic sponge thingys (usually 3 in a pack) which have rough-surfaced back to them. These are absolutely ideal for if its a nice sunny day for drying and you want to do a "bucket job" and wash your numnah in a bucket as they will very easily scrape off any gunk and hairs as well.

However, if you have only a small washing machine at home (as I do) then what I've done in the past is bundled-up the said item into a Giant Orange zip-up Washbag, and head for the nearest laundrette with a big-drum facility. Here we have these facilities at some local big fuel stations/garages & also we have one is at the local supermarket (Morrisons); also at our nearest motorway service area there is one there too. You do not have to feel guilty as any hairs will be caught by your wash-bag.

 

[Carrottom]

I use a bucket of water and a magic brush at the yard. Give it a good old scrub and rinse 3 times.

 

[holeymoley]

Brush the insides with a dandy brush or similiar, you can even get a little rake gizmo that will take hair off, they're cheap to pick up online. Then inside out in to the wash bag and in the machine with non-bio powder only. If I really want it clean then hoover after washing but that's really only if I'm selling on.

 

[Burnerbee]

Sorry if repeating - add some (half a cup) white vinegar - it loosens the fabric a little allowing the hair out (and good for smelliness too)

 

[MissTyc]

I just chuck everything in and either add a Vamoosh or run it at 90 full of towels/teacloths with Vamoosh right after the rug / saddlepad cycle. Vamoosh all the way!