Washinig saddlecloths in washing machine - stop bobbling?

[MagicMelon]

I usually have to wash my wool lined saddle cloth in the bath by hand but its such a faff and because its white (and for competition) it never gets perfectly clean. I put it in the washing machine once on a quick wash with regular non-bio powder, it came out very clean but bobbly! Is there a way of chucking it in the machine that doesn't make it bobbly?

 

[Mince Pie]

If you use a dull razor you can get the bobbles off

 

[supsup]

I found that the short answer is no. The wool part will always come out curled into little strands/bobbles. I found the best way to fluff up the wool again without pulling out too much is with a metal comb (with thin tines). This is what Nuumed recommends for their numnahs (of which I have one). It's a long job though, best done with time in front of the TV!

I try and brush/comb my numnah after each ride, and avoid washing it too often. And unless my boy has had a full clip, I stick with a plain numnah that will wash beautifully without needing a hand-comb.

I've read online that some people use hair conditioner rubbed into the wool before the wash, but I didn't find that made much of a difference. I guess it just gets washed out. I never tried a proprietary (nuumed brand) washing liquid though. Maybe that makes a difference.

 

[Emmangel]

I wash on a wool wash, then I use one of the dogs brushes - the ones with the tiny needle like bristles (good for getting hairs off velcro straps too) to fluff up. However, I don't think they ever return to how they were when brand new same for my sheepskin girth sleeves too....

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I use a dog/cat brush (the one I use on long haired fluffy cat) and it does a great job in restoring the pile

 

[supsup]

I found the dog/cat slicker brushes pulled out quite a bit of wool, and also don't really de-tangle right down to the fabric as well. With the comb, it's more of a careful untangling exercise, but you can get right down to the "roots", and not much of the wool comes off. Mine looked like new again after that treatment.

 

[Leo Walker]

I've got a sheepskin brush that I use

 

[Mrs Jingle]

Use wool wash with suitable wool detergent and put in lots of conditioner...I sually even rub conditioner into it before it goes in the machine, comes out all soft and fluffy.