[BuddyPalAmiga]

I just bought a couple of used wool pads and would like to clean them before I put them on my horses. Do I just take them down to the car wash and hose them down with the pressure washer or should I just put them in a front loader washing machine. I will hang them on the line to dry them, I just need to get them washed soon so we can use them next weekend Also, is there a way to disinfect them too? I probably don't need to, but I like to have all my bases covered. I thought about bleach for the washing machine, but if I take them to the car wash, it would have to be something that would be effective but rinse out easily. I thought about Nolvasan, but I am not sure. I have some Horse Wash left, maybe I could use that? Anyway, I'd appreciate any tips or suggestions Thanks,
Beth

[wyldterv]

I use Woolite and depending on what kind of pad, either load it into the front loader washer and put it in gentle cycle or soak it in my bath tub and THEN put it in the front loader washer for a rinse and spin cycle. Then hang to air dry, do NOT put in a dryer, and only cold water wash, wool will shrink, even wool felt!

Do NOT use bleach on Wool, it breaks the fibers down and causes Wool to disinigrate faster. Washing good in Woolite should take care of any 'nasties' but if you want to feel 'extra' safe, you can add some of the Equess Blanket Wash with the Woolite (a 50/50 mix seems to work well!).

[BuddyPalAmiga]

Thanks Karen! I appreciate your help, I'll be doing blanket washing today

Beth

[BeyondTheRumors]

If they are western saddle pads I use this:

From Mayatex: http://www.mayatex.com/care.html
Saddle Blanket CareThe importance of using quality saddle blankets is a "given" among knowledgeable horsemen. Today there are many good blankets and pads made of different materials available at varying cost. But the wool blanket is far and away still the favorite of most professionals and recreationists. As with anything worth using, a good wool blanket is seldom inexpensive, and should be considered an investment. With proper care (requiring only a little attention), a wool blanket will last for many years, even if used for many hours every day.
Here are a few tips to help you prolong the use of a wool blanket:

Beat and brush the blanket: Every few days, simply slap the blanket against a door, pipe, fence, etc. Then use a soft to medium stiff horse brush (not a metal curry comb), and brush the hair and dander from the blanket. This won’t take more than 5 minutes of your time.

Wash the blanket: Every 60 to 90 days, wash the blanket in a tub of cold water. For best results, put your blanket in a tub of water and let it soak for a least an hour. Then, as best you can "wring" the blanket in the water, then "wring" it out of the water.

Hang the blanket over a rail: (like the top rail of a fence), and with a soft to medium brush, lightly brush the blanket on both sides. Let the blanket air dry completely, then slap it against a door or fence until it feels as soft as a brand new one.

NOTE: It is best not to use soap when washing wool blankets. The blanket will retain much of the soap (even soaps made specifically for wool). When the blanket becomes wet with sweat, the residual soap may seep throughout the very porous wool, and irritate a horse’s back.

After a few washings, the color will of course begin to fade. This has no bearing on the usefulness of the blanket in serving it’s true purpose. You might find that you prefer an older, faded, soft blanket next to your horse’s back. After all, the concept is to protect your horse’s back and keep them comfortable.
BeyondTheRumors

[Berlunz]

Usually when I am washing my blankets before a show I soak them in the tub first to loosen up dirt and hair then use my horse brushes on them. I use a soft brush on my western pad so as not to ruin the work and I used a hard brush on my english so it can get down in and pull off the all the dirt and hair. Then I toss it into the washer, wash it with cold water and a little bit of detergent (only a very little bit and usually only my english pad to get it to the white I need for the show ring) then hang out to dry. I would be wary about washing them at a car wash since you dont know what chemicals they use and it could be harmful to your horses. If you want to disinfect using something like Lyscol (sp?) disinfectant spray might not be such a bad idea. It wont cling to the fabric or stay in it just kinda coat it then dissappear.

[Pony Pals]

just use in the washer theywell be fine u mit want to do one at a time

[Heavenly Jumper]

Originally Posted by ponypals92

just use in the washer theywell be fine u mit want to do one at a time

Wool needs special care or else it shrinks Just tossing it in the washer would probably not be the best choice...

[AllAroundRdr]

Beth, in the past I've always Shop Vac'd them (ours broke otherwise I would've sucked the hair/debris off prior to shipping -- sorry ) and then let them soak in the tub with a mix of Woolite and Eqyss Blanket/Wrap wash (anti-bacterial/fungal) with a scoop of Oxy Clean and luke warm water.

[BuddyPalAmiga]

ok, so I was just on my way to the car wash (I was just going to use the rinse option - I didn't think car wash soap would be the best thing for the wool) and I thought I'd check to see if anyone else gave me some advice. Well once again HGS comes through!! I'm going to go by some blanket wash and and some OxyClean and throw them in the bathtub
thank you everyone

AAR - not a problem! Now I know what color your horses are hehehe
I PMed you


Beth

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by AllAroundRdr

Beth, in the past I've always Shop Vac'd them (ours broke otherwise I would've sucked the hair/debris off prior to shipping -- sorry ) and then let them soak in the tub with a mix of Woolite and Eqyss Blanket/Wrap wash (anti-bacterial/fungal) with a scoop of Oxy Clean and luke warm water.

Did not think about the Oxyclean, that would work on Wool safe enough.. I've had great success with the woolite/eqyss combo