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Learning Center · Fly & UV

Do I need to wash my fly sheet with detergent before storing it?

Salt left in mesh after a rinse attracts pests and breaks down fibers, which is why a proper wash matters before storage.

By The Schneiders Product Team · Updated September 29, 2026
4 minute read · Reviewed against our current catalog

The short answer

A rinse isn't enough. Sweat and salt left in mesh attract pests and break down fibers over a winter in storage. Wash with a detergent made for horse blankets, since ordinary laundry detergent leaves residue that can irritate skin and strips water-repellent finishes. Dry completely before storing, somewhere dry and rodent-proof.

Why salt is the real problem, not dirt Why the detergent choice matters Why drying fully matters more than it seems What else to handle while everything is out

Start here

Why salt is the real problem, not dirt

Surface dirt rinses out easily with plain water, which is why a quick hose-down feels like enough. Salt from dried sweat is different. It's hygroscopic, meaning it actively pulls moisture out of the air, so a sheet with salt left in the fibers stays slightly damp even sitting in a dry trunk over winter. That ongoing dampness is what breaks down fibers over months of storage and gives the sheet the musty smell that shows up when it comes back out in spring. Getting the salt out, not just the visible dirt, is the actual goal of washing before storage.

How it works

Why the detergent choice matters

Most fly sheets and turnout gear rely on a water-repellent or coating finish to do part of their job, and household laundry detergents are formulated with brighteners and surfactants that can strip that finish over repeated washes. They can also leave a residue in the fabric that sits against your horse's skin the next time the sheet is used, which is a common cause of unexplained itching after a wash. A detergent made specifically for horse blankets, like Schneiders Horse Blanket Wash, is formulated to clean without stripping finishes or leaving that kind of residue behind.

What that means for you

Why drying fully matters more than it seems

A sheet folded away even slightly damp gives mold and mildew exactly the conditions they need over a long storage period, and by the time it's noticed in spring the smell and staining are often set into the fabric. Drying completely before folding, and choosing a dry, rodent-proof storage spot, protects the work you just did washing it. A sheet that goes into storage clean but damp can come out worse than one that went in unwashed.

The details

What else to handle while everything is out

Because getting a sheet clean and dry for storage means laying out the whole thing and inspecting it closely, this is the natural moment to catch small problems before they become big ones over winter. Small tears get repair tape now rather than growing into a bigger repair, and anything waterproof that's started wetting through gets reproofed while it's already clean and dry. Finding a broken strap in September beats finding it the first cold night. For the bigger picture on the fall gear transition, see When do I switch from a fly sheet to a rain sheet?

Mentioned in this entry

Schneiders® Horse Blanket Wash View ›

Schneiders® Horse Blanket Repair Tape View ›

Schneiders® BlockAide™ Blanket Reproofer View ›

Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I just rinse my fly sheet with a hose?

A hose rinse removes surface dirt but leaves salt from dried sweat in the fibers, since salt doesn't rinse out as easily as loose dirt. That residual salt keeps drawing moisture from the air over a winter in storage, which encourages fiber breakdown and the musty smell that shows up when gear comes back out in spring.

Can I use regular laundry detergent on a fly sheet?

It's not recommended. Household detergents often contain brighteners and surfactants that can strip water-repellent finishes and leave a residue that irritates skin on the next wear. A detergent formulated for horse blankets cleans effectively without those side effects.

How dry does a sheet need to be before storing it?

Fully dry, with no damp spots in thicker seams or bindings. Folding away a sheet that feels dry on the surface but is still damp underneath creates conditions for mold and mildew over a long storage period, which can set in stains and odor before the sheet is used again.

Is it worth reproofing a sheet before storing it, or should I wait until spring?

It's worth doing before storage. The sheet is already clean and laid out, which is the ideal condition for a reproofing treatment to bond properly. Waiting until spring means doing the same setup work twice, and it delays catching a finish that's already started to fail.