As the weather begins to warm up, we can look to start taking rugs off the horses so they can have the sun on their backs. Now is the perfect time to start those jobs you need to do in the warmer weather, one of those being rug maintenance. Horse rugs are not the cheapest of accessories, so you will want to look after them the best you can to give them the longest life possible. Here we give you a few hints and tips on how to look after your horse’s rug to help ensure they have a long life.

Cleaning Your Horse Rug

Although it’s often recommended to take your rugs to a professional cleaning service to prevent any accidental damage, you can clean them yourself. Sending rugs off to be cleaned can take a few days and is usually an end-of-season mission. Another big factor to consider is the cost as, depending on how many rugs you need washing, this can be a large expense.

If you want to get the most out of your horse’s rugs, here are some alternative approaches for how to clean horse rugs at home. If you follow the right steps, you’ll have clean rugs ready to go for when you next need them. It is worth noting that if your rugs are extremely dirty, at-home washing may not be sufficient. Therefore, it would be of more benefit to have your rugs professionally washed. *

These are the best methods for washing a horse's rug at home.

Start by removing any mud, grass, and debris with a stiff brush. An old dandy brush is perfect for this job. You can either lay your rug over a fence or (if you need extra space) spread it out on the floor. Give the area a quick sweep before you do this to remove excess dirt. Make sure to do this on the inside, too, to remove hair and other dirt. Also, ensure all Velcro areas are cleaned out. A hook and loop cleaner will help make this job quicker.

How To Wash A Horse’s Rug

Next is the washing process. Before doing any washing, make sure you check and follow the care label instructions on your products. Remove all non-washable parts before you get the rug wet. If there are any stubborn stains, pre-treat them with some neat rug wash using a sponge or soft nylon brush.

How To Wash By Hand

Start by hosing the rug down. A great way of doing this is by hanging it over a fence. Alternatively, if you have a bucket large enough, saturate it in warm water. The Red Gorilla Extra Large 75 Litre Tub is a good option for a wash bucket. Another cost effective option is an old plastic dustbin this will also do the trick. Once the rug is saturated and the grime has soaked out, empty the water, and lay the rug out. Now it's time to wash and scrub! Before using any products on your rug, it's imperative you check and follow the rug wash instructions. Dilute the wash in a separate bucket before scrubbing the solution into the fabric with a soft brush. To get the best clean ensure you pay attention to dirty areas. Lastly, refill the container or hose down the rug and rinse thoroughly.

How To Wash By Machine

If you are happy to wash your horse rugs in your home washing machine, or lucky enough to have access to one on your yard, this task is easy. The first thing to remember when washing a horse rug in a machine is to check that the drum is large enough to allow freedom of movement and can take the weight of the rug. Before washing, look at the instructions on the care label and wash according to this. Choose a cycle that will allow the item to rinse thoroughly. Do not wash at a high temperature! Doing so can damage the rug’s waterproof properties.

It may be helpful at this stage to remove any detachable parts of your rug and place them in a separate wash bag to clean. But what if all the parts are sewn onto your rug? A neat trick is to put an old sock over the metal fixings. Tie the sock with a hairband or elastic band/ plaiting band, stopping the metal rug fixings from bashing the drum. Lastly, add the rug wash following the instructions and, most importantly, do not use detergents!

How To Reproof

Reproofing is only required for a turnout rug or any waterproof rugs, so you can skip this step if you are washing a stable rug, cooler, or fly rug. How you use the proofer depends on which one you choose; they can be used by hand or in a washing machine, and some require the rug to be wet, while others can be applied while it's dry. Because of this, it is most important to follow the rug proof instructions.

How To Dry

Once washed, you can now dry your rug. No tumble dryers here though - it's best to let them dry naturally. Some rugs may allow you to use a tumble dryer, but if you're cleaning on a lovely summer's day, you can easily leave them to dry naturally and save on energy costs. Place your rugs over a fence or on a strong washing line while ensuring they aren't dragging on the floor, so you don't undo all your hard work! Drying time will depend on the thickness of the rug, so make sure to factor this in to ensure you have enough time to let the rug dry.

How To Store

Before storing, do check that your rug is completely dry, so you don’t promote mould growth whilst its packed away. If your rug comes with a plastic zipped bag, they are great for storing your rug when not in use, so it’s a good idea to keep hold of it. If you don’t have one of those, you can purchase a rug storage bag. Alternatively, you could use a normal black bin bag or any other large bag - they are not as protective but will suffice. If you are short of space, another great idea is to use a vacuum pack storage bags to keep your rug dry, clean, and compact.

Does your rug have a detachable hood or neck? If so, it's a good idea to remove these before storing them to reduce the risk of any damage. Also, making a quick check on your rugs for any damage or rips before storing them. This will give you the opportune time to make any repairs so they will be ready to go when it’s time to get them out again.

Whatever the season, following the above steps will help greatly in ensuring your rugs, when not in use, are clean and ready for when you next need them. Hopefully, this should give you many years of use. Lastly, do remember to read the product’s instructions/guarantee before washing; not all rugs may be suitable for cleaning.

*Please note some rugs come with a warranty. If they are cleaned or reproofed within a period of time, this can invalidate your warranty.