Can I wash horse blankets at home? Yes, you can wash horse blankets at home, but you need to follow specific steps and use the right equipment to ensure they come out clean and remain waterproof. Washing horse blankets is a big chore, but keeping them clean helps your horse stay comfortable and healthy. Dirty rugs can irritate skin and harbor germs. This guide will teach you the best way to wash horse blankets, whether you use a home machine or a professional service.
Image Source: horse-canada.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com
Why Cleaning Horse Blankets Matters
Keeping your horse’s gear clean is very important. Clean horse rugs mean a healthier horse. Dirt, mud, sweat, and oils build up over time. This buildup can rub the horse’s coat the wrong way. It can also make the blanket less warm or waterproof. Regular washing extends the life of your expensive blankets. Learning proper washing horse blankets techniques saves you money in the long run.
Preparing Your Horse Blanket for Washing
Before any water touches the blanket, you must prepare it. Skipping this step can ruin your washing machine or make the cleaning job much harder.
Removing Loose Debris
The first step in cleaning horse rugs is always dry cleaning. This means getting rid of everything stuck on the outside.
- Brush Off Mud: Let the mud dry completely. Dry mud brushes off much easier than wet mud. Use a stiff brush to gently scrub off packed dirt and dried manure. Be thorough when removing mud from horse blankets.
- Check for Debris: Look for hay, grass seeds, and burrs caught in the fabric. Pick these out by hand.
- Empty Pockets: Check all pockets for treats, lead ropes, or tools.
Inspecting the Blanket
A careful check prevents serious damage.
- Check Hardware: Look at all buckles, snaps, rings, and zippers. Close all zippers. Make sure all straps are fastened loosely.
- Look for Tears: Small tears can get much bigger in the wash. If you find small holes, hand-stitch them closed before washing. A big tear might need professional repair later.
- Determine Material: Different blankets need different care. Check the care tag. Is it a turnout sheet, a stable blanket, or a cooler? Synthetic materials are common. Wool blankets need specialized care.
The Hair Problem: Washing Horse Blankets with Hair
Horsehair is tough on washing machines. It clumps up and can block drains or stick inside the drum.
- Use a rubber brush or glove to pull off as much loose hair as possible after brushing off the mud.
- If using a home machine, run an extra rinse cycle just to flush out remaining fine hairs.
Methods for Washing Horse Blankets
You have two main options for cleaning: doing it yourself at home or using a professional horse blanket cleaning service.
Home Washing: When and How
Washing at home works well for lighter blankets or stable sheets. Heavy winter blankets are often too big for home machines.
Choosing the Right Machine
The best way to wash horse blankets at home requires a large machine.
- Use a Front-Loader: Top-loading machines with a central agitator can rip or tear blankets. Always use a large capacity, front-loading washing machine. These machines have more room and gentler action.
- Check Capacity: A standard 40-foot trailer blanket might need a 25-pound capacity washer. A lightweight summer sheet might fit in a 15-pound machine. Never stuff the machine full. The blanket needs room to move freely.
The Washing Process at Home
Follow these steps for safe machine washing:
- Rinse Cycle First: Before adding soap, run a short rinse cycle with cool water. This helps remove fine dust and hair trapped deep inside.
- Use Mild Detergent: Use a small amount of mild, gentle detergent. Avoid harsh chemicals or fabric softeners. Fabric softeners coat the waterproof layer, ruining its ability to breathe and repel water. Specialized horse blanket cleaning solutions are often best.
- Water Temperature: Use cold or cool water only. Hot water can break down the waterproof coating (DWR finish) on turnout blankets.
- Gentle Cycle: Always select the gentle or delicate cycle setting. Keep the spin speed low.
- Extra Rinses: Run two or three extra rinse cycles. This is crucial for washing horse blankets with hair and ensuring all soap residue is gone. Soap left in the fabric attracts dirt faster later on.
Soaking Horse Blankets
For very dirty or smelly blankets, soaking horse blankets helps loosen tough grime.
- Use a large utility tub, trough, or an empty bathtub.
- Fill with cool water and a small amount of gentle soap or vinegar (about one cup of white vinegar).
- Let the blanket soak for several hours, or even overnight.
- After soaking, wring out excess water gently by hand or move it to the washing machine for a short wash and thorough rinse cycle.
Specialized Cleaning Solutions
When selecting products, think about waterproofing.
| Cleaner Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild Laundry Detergent | Stable Sheets, Coolers | Must be dye and perfume-free. |
| Specialized Blanket Wash | Turnouts, Waterproof Items | Designed to clean without harming DWR finishes. |
| White Vinegar | Odor removal, Soap residue | Use during the rinse cycle or for soaking. |
Never use bleach on horse blankets. Bleach breaks down fabric fibers and ruins waterproofing.
Utilizing Professional Horse Blanket Cleaning Services
For heavy winter blankets, large loads, or blankets you are unsure about, use a professional service. These businesses have industrial-sized machines built for the heavy loads of wet blankets.
- Expertise: Professionals know how to treat different fabrics. They often offer re-waterproofing services too.
- Convenience: This saves you the mess and the strain on your home appliances.
- Cost vs. Benefit: While more expensive upfront, it ensures the best care for high-quality, expensive blankets.
Dealing with Waterproofing (DWR)
Many modern horse blankets are waterproof. Washing them incorrectly can strip this finish. This is a key part of caring for horse blankets.
How to Tell if Waterproofing is Failing
If water no longer beads up on the surface but soaks in, the DWR finish is failing or gone.
- Test: Spray a small section with a hose. If the water soaks in quickly instead of rolling off, it needs attention.
Restoring Water Repellency
If the blanket is clean but no longer waterproof, you can restore the finish.
- Wash Again (if needed): Ensure the blanket is perfectly clean first. Any dirt or soap residue will stop the new coating from sticking.
- Use a Reproofing Agent: Purchase a fabric-specific waterproofing spray or wash-in treatment (often sold alongside horse blanket cleaning solutions). Follow the product directions exactly.
- Heat Setting: Some treatments require “heat setting.” This often means tumbling the blanket in a dryer on low heat or hanging it out on a warm, sunny day. Heat helps activate the new coating.
Drying Horse Blankets After Washing
Drying is just as important as washing. Improper drying horse blankets after washing can lead to mildew or shrinking.
The Best Drying Method: Air Drying
Air drying is always the safest bet for all blanket types.
- Hang Properly: Use a sturdy clothesline or a dedicated blanket rack. Hang the blanket so air can circulate all around it. Do not hang one part over another.
- Avoid Direct Sun (Initially): While some re-waterproofing needs sun, intense, direct summer sun can sometimes degrade nylon over time. Dry them in the shade or on an overcast, breezy day first.
- Ensure Full Dryness: Mold and mildew grow fast. Make sure the blanket is bone dry, especially the lining and any foam padding. Poke deep into the seams.
Using a Tumble Dryer
Only use a dryer for lightweight sheets or coolers, and only if the care tag allows it.
- Low Heat Only: Use the lowest heat setting possible. High heat melts synthetic materials or ruins the fit.
- Use Dryer Balls: Throw in a few tennis balls or dryer balls. This helps fluff the filling and stops the blanket from clumping up, which helps air reach all parts.
Caring for Specific Types of Blankets
Different blankets need different approaches to caring for horse blankets.
Turnout Blankets (Waterproof)
These are the toughest to clean because of the waterproofing layer. Focus on gentle washing and low heat drying. Never use fabric softener.
Stable Blankets (Non-Waterproof)
These are usually easier. They often handle higher heat settings if needed, but cold water is still preferable to prevent fading or shrinking the outer shell. They are great candidates for home washing.
Wool Coolers and Liners
Wool is delicate. Wool blankets should rarely be machine washed unless the tag explicitly says they can be.
- Wool Washing: Use wool-safe detergent. Hand wash or use the wool cycle on a machine.
- Shaping: Lay wool blankets flat to dry, gently reshaping them as they dry to maintain their proper fit. Soaking horse blankets made of wool is effective for deep cleaning, provided you use cool water.
Turnout Sheet Care
Turnout sheets (light blankets without filling) are usually the easiest. They dry very quickly. They are excellent for practicing your washing horse blankets technique at home.
Storage: Protecting Your Clean Blankets
Proper storage keeps your clean blankets ready for the next season. This is the final step in long-term caring for horse blankets.
- Ensure They Are Spotless and Dry: This cannot be stressed enough. Storing even slightly damp blankets causes mold growth that ruins the fabric and smells terrible.
- Fold Neatly: Fold blankets along their original seams if possible. This prevents permanent creases that might weaken the fabric over time.
- Use Breathable Storage: Store blankets in plastic bins with lids or large canvas storage bags. Avoid sealing them tightly in non-breathable plastic garbage bags, as this can trap moisture.
- Pest Control: Store blankets away from areas where rodents can access them. Mice love to chew through synthetic materials for nesting.
Maintenance Between Washes
You do not need a full wash every week. Regular maintenance keeps things fresh.
- Daily Brushing: A quick brush-off every day removes surface dirt.
- Spot Cleaning: For small spills or manure marks, use a damp sponge with a tiny bit of mild soap. Rinse the spot well afterward.
- Airing Out: On dry, sunny days, take the blanket off the horse and lay it over a fence for an hour to air out. This helps sweat evaporate and reduces odor buildup.
Comprehending Horse Blanket Sizing and Fit
A well-cared-for blanket that fits poorly is useless. Fit affects comfort and durability.
| Measurement | Importance | How to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Back Length | Keeps the blanket covering the loin properly. | Measure from the center of the wither down to the tail dock. |
| Depth | Ensures the blanket covers the belly and chest. | Measure from the wither down to the elbow joint. |
| Chest/Surcingle Fit | Too tight pulls on shoulders; too loose chafes. | Ensure two fingers can slide comfortably under fastened buckles. |
If you are using a professional horse blanket cleaning service, ask them to check the hardware and strap condition while they clean. They can often spot wear you might miss.
Deciphering Care Tags: What the Symbols Mean
Care tags are your best guide for washing horse blankets. They use standard laundry symbols. If you see these, follow them:
- Tub Symbol: Indicates washing instructions. A line underneath means use the gentle cycle.
- Temperature Number: The number inside the tub (e.g., 30°C or 40°C) is the maximum water temperature. Always use the lowest recommended setting.
- Triangle: Indicates bleaching instructions. If crossed out, do not use bleach.
- Square with a Circle: Indicates drying instructions (machine drying). If lines are inside, line dry only.
If the tag is missing or unreadable, default to the safest method: cool water, gentle cycle, and air dry. This is the safest protocol for cleaning horse rugs when in doubt.
FAQs on Horse Blanket Cleaning
Can I use regular laundry detergent for washing horse blankets?
You should use a mild, non-biological laundry detergent. Avoid strong perfumes, dyes, and fabric softeners, as these damage the waterproof coatings on turnout gear. Specialized horse blanket cleaning solutions are recommended for maximum protection.
How often should I wash my horse blankets?
It depends on use. Lightweight stable sheets might need washing monthly if the horse is particularly muddy. Heavy winter turnouts should be washed at least once per season, or whenever they become heavily soiled, to maintain hygiene.
What is the best way to wash horse blankets that are extremely muddy?
Allow the mud to dry completely first. Brush off as much dry dirt as possible. Then, utilize a soaking step in cool water before running a gentle cycle with an extra rinse. If the blanket is very heavy, opt for professional horse blanket cleaning.
Will washing ruin the waterproofing on my turnout blanket?
It can, if done incorrectly. Using high heat, harsh chemicals, or fabric softeners will strip the DWR coating. Always use cool water, a gentle cycle, and consider applying a re-waterproofing treatment after washing if you notice water soaking in instead of beading up.
Is soaking horse blankets necessary?
Soaking is not always necessary, but it is very helpful for heavily soiled or smelly blankets. It helps loosen tough stains and allows the detergent to penetrate deep into the fibers before the machine cycle starts.
Can I wash multiple blankets in one load?
Only if you are using a very large, commercial-sized machine and the blankets are lightweight (like summer sheets). Never overcrowd the machine, especially with heavy winter blankets. Overloading damages the machine and results in poor cleaning, as the water cannot flow properly through the fabric.
How do I get rid of stubborn manure stains when removing mud from horse blankets?
For set-in stains, try treating them with a paste of baking soda and water before the main wash. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then wash as usual. Vinegar added to the rinse cycle can also help lift lingering odors and stains.