Horse blankets are an investment in your horse’s health and your wallet. That’s why knowing how to clean horse blankets is essential to ensuring your horse’s blanket will last for years to come. Adequately maintained horse blankets are meant to last upward of 10 to 15 years, while the average lifespan of a blanket not maintained property could last five years at a maximum.
Regular cleaning of horse blankets also helps blankets stay durable and waterproof season after season. Not to mention that cleaning can also help you discover small problems, such as a lowered level of waterproofing or damage before they become big problems.
With all of the important protection they give to your horse, you want to keep your horse’s blankets in good shape. That’s why knowing how to wash horse blankets is so essential. In this guide, we’ll cover everything from how to wash horse blankets to tips for extending their lifespan.
Why Cleaning is Important for Your Horse Blankets
Horses know how to get dirty fast, and their blankets are no exception. With the winter wet months coming, your horse may be protected from the elements, but their blankets will bear the brunt of the mud, snow, and rain. With regular use, horse blankets accumulate dirt, sweat, hair, and bacteria over time, which can break down the fabric, insulation, and waterproofing. This will cause the horse blanket to become more susceptible to rips and tears, reducing the lifespan of your horse blanket. In addition, the reduced waterproofing and ineffective insulation means your horse could get cold and wet under their blanket, leading to many illnesses.
Washing your horse’s blanket also helps prevent odors, mold, and mildew, which can cause skin infections and respiratory illnesses in horses. Cleaning your horse’s blanket is crucial to maintaining its lifespan and health.
How to Wash Horse Blankets: Step-by-Step Guide
Although there are three different ways to wash your horse blankets, choosing one depends on the type of blanket you have. Be sure to check the tag on the blanket for instructions.In general, however, midweight to heavy blankets do best with hand/pressure washing, while light blankets and coolers might do better in the washing machine. Once you’ve consulted the tag, check out the steps below for how to wash your horse’s blankets.
Steps to Pressure Washing Your Horse Blankets
Pressure washing your blankets is a great way to remove deep-down dirt and caked mud from your horse’s blankets. Grab your power washer (or buy/borrow one) and follow these steps.
Choose a warm day when you expect a few sunny days.
Lay your blanket on the ground and brush away any obvious dirt and mud with a dry broom or brush.
Use your pressure washer to thoroughly clean the mud, dirt, and sweat off the outside of the blanket.
Flip the blanket over and thoroughly clean the inside of the blanket with the power washer.
Hang your blanket over a fence and rinse both sides with plain water to remove all soap and the last dirt and debris.
Hang the wet blanket in a sunny spot over a fence and leave it to dry thoroughly. (It may take a couple of days for the blanket to dry completely).
Steps to Hand Washing Your Horse Blanket
Use the same process as pressure washing, except use a hard brush in circular motions to soap up your blanket, and then rinse it off with a hose. End by hanging the wet blanket in a sunny spot to dry thoroughly.
Choose a warm day when you expect a few sunny days.
Lay your blanket on the ground and brush away any obvious dirt and mud with a dry broom or brush.
Use a hard brush, in circular motions, to clean the mud, dirt, and sweat off the outside and inside of the blanket.
Hang your blanket over a fence and rinse both sides with plain water to remove all soap and the last dirt and debris.
Hang the wet blanket in a sunny spot over a fence and leave it to dry thoroughly. (It may take a couple of days for the blanket to dry completely).
Steps to Machine Wash Your Horse Blanket
Machine washing sounds easy, but remember not to put heavy or midweight blankets in the washer. They can ruin the horse blankets and/or not get them clean enough. Machine washing is only recommended for lightweight blankets and coolers.
Remove excess dirt with a dry broom or brush.
Hose off any stubborn dirt.
Remove as much hair as possible from the blanket, as it can clog your drain.
Put the blanket in a mesh or special laundry bag to protect the machine from buckles and straps.
Wash your blanket on the gentle cycle, using cold water and a gentle detergent.
Remove the blanket as soon as the machine’s cycle is complete (to avoid mold and mildew) and hang the wet blanket in a sunny spot to dry thoroughly.
How to Maintain Your Blanket’s Waterproofing
While washing your horse blankets is essential, it’s not an everyday task. Washing your horse’s blanket too often can reduce the efficacy of waterproofing over time. It’s important to regularly test the waterproofing of your horse’s blanket to monitor for leakage or liquid absorption, which indicates that your horse blanket must be reproofed.
Blankets should be reproofed at least once a year, generally before or right after winter. We also advise reproofing horse blankets after several washes or before the rainy season. To maintain waterproof horse blankets, or to reproof horse blankets: Use waterproofing sprays or wash-in waterproofing products designed for horse blankets ( such as Schneiders BlockAide Blanket Reproofer). Reapply waterproofing after the blanket has been cleaned and fully dried.
Drying and Storing Your Horse Blankets
Washing your blankets is only one part of cleaning your horse’s blanket; it’s essential to ensure they are fully dry. Horse blankets that aren’t dried properly can harbor mold and mildew, which will stain them and make them a health hazard for your horse. To dry your horse’s blanket:
Air dry blankets in a shaded, ventilated area to avoid heat damage.
Avoid hanging blankets in direct sunlight, as this can degrade the fabric.
Once your blanket is dry, fold it properly and store in a dry, cool place. Using breathable storage bags is a great way to keep them clean and prevent mold and mildew growth.
FAQs About Cleaning Horse Blankets
What should you wash your horse blankets with?
We recommend the use of Schneiders® Blanket Wash. The extra-strong formula is designed specifically to be effective on even the heaviest soil without leaving any residue that could irritate your horse’s sensitive skin. Add Schneiders® Odor Killing Freshening Wash for a double dose of clean. This odor-killing and freshening wash is a concentrated formula that kills odor-causing bacteria long after washing.
Can you put a horse blanket in a dryer?
Most blankets cannot be put in the dryer. The dryer’s heat can destroy waterproofing or damage the fabric, and it could also melt any plastic on the blanket. The best way to dry is to line dry.
How do you repair your horse’s blanket?
Caring for your horse’s blankets means you might find yourself repairing small tears and replacing missing parts. You can do repairs yourself; a blanket repair tape is a great option, as shown here. You can always find replacements if you’ve lost a leg strap or your old blanket straps are in disrepair.
What do you use to re-waterproof your horse’s blanket?
If necessary, reactivate your blanket's waterproofing capability using a spray-on waterproofing product. Spray the product onto the dry blanket in an open area away from animals. Follow the product instructions for application and dry time.
Regularly washing your horse blanket not only keeps it clean but also maintains its longevity. In addition to increasing its lifespan, regular horse blanket washing prevents it from growing harmful mold and maintains its purpose: keeping your horse healthy and comfortable. By using recommended products for washing and reproofing horse blankets, your blanket will protect your horse season after season.
Check out More Resources About Horse Blankets
Want to learn more about blanketing your horse? Become a blanketing savant with these great resources:
