Wash and Waterproof Your Horse Blankets the Right Way

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Fall is tough season for horse blankets. In some parts of the country, the weather varies from rain to snow, and this creates mud. So. Much. Mud. You turn your perfectly clean, blanketed horse out in the morning and he comes back in the afternoon looking like the Swamp Thing.
 
I owned a horse blanket repair business for almost four years, and I met many equestrians who were terrified of washing their horse blankets, no matter how dirty they got. The myth is that washing the blanket will ruin the waterproofing, but I promise, after washing thousands of horse blankets, this is not true. Mud, urine, manure, and exposure to a heat-cold cycle will break down your waterproofing faster than properly washing your blanket.
 
Follow these easy steps to properly wash your horse blanket and re-waterproof it if needed.

Blanket Prep
 
Washing your horse blanket is more than throwing it in the washing machine. You need to prepare your blanket beforehand to get the most out of your wash.
 
If your blanket is muddy, hang your blanket over a fence and spray the excess mud off. You can wash your blanket while it is wet, but it can be very heavy and awkward to maneuver. You may want to wait until it dries a bit.
 
If your blanket has criss-cross leg straps, make sure both ends are snapped to the D-ring. This prevents them from clanking around in the washer. If your blanket has hook-and-eye leg straps, put a sock over the metal parts of the leg straps and secure it with a rubber band. Whether you use your own machine or one at a laundromat, you do not want to damage the machine.
 
Unbuckle all the other straps so the blanket is open. Now you are ready to wash.

Washing
 
A front-load commercial washing machine will clean your blankets best, but you can use a household front-load or top-load without an agitator if that is all you have available.
 
If you go to a laundromat, please be a good customer. Wipe down the machine and sweep the floor. I take a small broom and dustpan like this one with me, as well as microfiber cloths like these because microfiber catches horsehair really well when you wipe down the washing machine. A good relationship with the laundromat owner will ensure that you are allowed back and that other horse owners are welcome too.
 
I wash all my horse blankets in OxyClean (buy it here) and ECOS laundry detergent (buy it here). I washed blankets for hundreds of horses and this combination gave me the cleanest blankets without causing any allergic reactions, even in horses with sensitive skin.

Start with a pre-wash with OxyClean. This removes the “base layer” of dirt and body oils from your blanket. Next, wash your blankets on the heaviest cycle with ECOS. I usually wash in cold water, but I use hot water if the horse has a fungal infection or if the blanket smells moldy.
 
When you remove your blanket from the wash, it will be saturated with water, which makes it HEAVY. Some heavyweight turnout blankets weighed close to 50 pounds after I washed them. To prevent water from spilling on the floor, put a heavy-duty Rubbermaid tote at the base of the washing machine and slide the blanket into it. Then, lug it to the car. A rolling cart like this one is a good investment if you are going to wash horse blankets frequently. It will save your back.
 
When you get back to the barn, Lay the blanket over a fence, inside out. Check the inside of the blanket for any soapy areas that did not rinse thoroughly. Spray the blanket with water, then flip it over and spray the outside. This prevents any skin irritation from unrinsed soap.

Drying
 
Do not put your horse blanket in the dryer.
 
Do not put your horse blanket in the dryer.
 
Do not put your horse blanket in the dryer.
 
Drying your blanket in the dryer will shrink the binding, and your horse blanket will not lay flat anymore. This can cause rub spots and discomfort for your horse, and it makes your blanket impossible to repair if it rips.
 
Remove any socks from the leg straps. Hang your blanket over a fence and dry in the sunshine if the temperature is above freezing. Hang it inside out first, and then flip over and let the outside dry. Water may pool in the corners, especially in waterproof blankets. Squeeze these out gently.
 
Your blanket will dry fastest outside on a windy, sunny day. If the temperature is below freezing, hang your blanket in the barn and angle a box fan at it. Keeping the air circulating around your blanket will help it dry quickly.
 
If your blanket has a felt or fleece lining, you can vacuum the inside after it is clean and dry to remove extra hair. I use my handheld Bissel Pet Hair Eraser (buy it here) because it works better on pet hair than any other vacuum I have owned.

Waterproofing
 
Your blanket’s waterproofing will break down whether you wash your blanket or not. Not washing your blanket allows manure and urine to build up, and the ammonia from those will break down the waterproofing faster than if your blanket is clean.
 
Re-waterproofing your blanket is very easy. Once your blanket is dry, lay it on the ground. Spread it out so that it does not have any wrinkles. Spray your blanket with Thompson’s Water Seal. This is not a special fabric waterproofer -- I use the clear multi-surface version because it gives me the best waterproofing. I like to use the aerosol can (buy it here), but you can also paint it on with a brush. If you get it on too thick it will be sticky, which attracts more dirt. The aerosol version gives you light, complete coverage that dries well.
 
Use a sweeping motion to spray the whole exterior of the blanket. You can leave the blanket on the ground to dry or you can hang it. The temperature must be over 50 degrees and only use Thompson’s Water Seal in a ventilated area.
 
Clean Blankets Last Longer
 
Horse blankets are an expensive investment, and proper washing makes them last longer. I wash my blankets every other month, weather permitting, but you can develop a schedule that works best for you. A clean blanket contributes to a healthy coat, so invest the time in regularly washing your blankets to keep your horse shiny and happy through the dark winter months.

How do you wash your horse blankets? Let me know in the comments below!