If you’re anything like most equestrians, your tack room is home to a growing collection of rugs for every season! With a collection from lightweight summer sheets, coolers and heavyweight winter turnouts, it doesn’t take long before space becomes limited.
Horses being… well, horses, it’s safe to say nothing in their world stays immaculately clean for long. Taking the time to wash horse rugs properly and organise your horse rug storage not only frees up valuable room but also helps extend the life of your rugs. Knowing how to wash horse rugs correctly makes a real difference — regular cleaning removes dirt, grease, and bacteria that can affect your horses skin, damage fabrics, affect their waterproofing ability and rapidly rust fittings.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to wash horse rugs, care for waterproof turnouts, and store your collection ready for next season.
Deciding Which Horse Rugs to Store
Before you get started with horse rug cleaning, begin by sorting through your collection and organising which rugs your horse will use and which won’t be needed over the coming months:
- Separate heavyweight winter rugs that can be stored away during spring and summer
- Set aside fly rugs and lightweight sheets that may still be useful in warmer weather and into autumn
- Keep coolers and travel rugs accessible, as they are often used all year round
Rotating your rugs seasonally makes storing your rugs far more manageable. It also ensures you can prioritise which rugs to wash horse rugs first — focusing on those ready for storage while keeping everyday essentials within easy reach.
Check for Damage Before You Wash Horse Rugs
Before you wash horse rugs, it's important to inspect each one for damage or wear that could compromise your horses comfort, protection or safety.
Check over each rug for:
- Tears or worn areas in the outer fabric.
- Loose stitching or broken fastenings.
- Damaged straps or buckles.
Repairing minor issues before washing your rugs can prevent further damage during the cleaning process and ensures your rugs remain functional. For waterproof rugs, fixing outer layer damage is especially important to maintain their protective properties. Some rugs may be too far gone to keep protecting your horse. If you're in need of new rugs for your horse, take a look at the premium range form Masterclip below.
How to Wash Horse Rugs Properly
When it comes to how to wash horse rugs, you have two main options: professional cleaning services or doing it yourself at home.
While many owners choose to wash horse rugs at home, using a professional horse rug cleaning service can offer several advantages. Commercial machines are specifically designed to handle heavy, bulky rugs, providing a deeper and more even clean without damaging the fabric.
Professional services can also reproof waterproof rugs effectively, helping to restore their protective coating and extend their lifespan. This can be particularly beneficial for turnout rugs — it's the most thorough way to wash horse rugs and restore their full waterproof performance.
Above: A before and after of the Masterclip post clip stable quilt looking as good as new after a professional rug wash by The Rutland Tack Room.
Step-by-Step Guide to Wash Horse Rugs
-
Remove loose dirt and hair
Use a stiff brush to remove mud, dust, and hair from both the outer fabric and lining before you wash horse rugs. -
Pre-clean heavily soiled areas
Focus on areas like the neck, tail flap, and girth area. The Masterclip rugs feature an easy to clean PVC coated fillet string that can be quickly wiped clean. -
Choose the right washing method
- The Masterclip stable rugs can be machine washed gently at 30ºC.
- To machine wash horse rugs, use a large-capacity washer — remember the weight will be very heavy when wet!
- Use a specialist rug washing bag to prevent horse hair from clogging up your machine. Wipe the inside of the washer after cleaning your rug to avoid horse hair covering other washing loads.
- Alternatively, hand wash using a hose with gentle pressure.
-
Use the correct detergent
Always opt for a non-biological or specialist horse rug wash and follow the product instructions for best results. Standard detergents may damage fabrics and affect the waterproof quality when you wash horse rugs. -
Rinse thoroughly
Any leftover soap can irritate your horse’s skin and compromise the rug’s material. -
Air dry naturally
Avoid tumble drying. Hang rugs in a well-ventilated area and allow them to dry completely.
Top Tip: Avoid overloading your washing machine when you wash horse rugs — bulky rugs may not clean effectively. It's best to only machine wash one rug at a time.
Caring for Waterproof Horse Rugs
To wash horse rugs with a waterproof coating, a little extra attention is required. Frequent or incorrect cleaning can reduce their waterproof coating over time.
To keep them performing at their best:
- Follow manufacturer care instructions carefully
- Avoid harsh detergents or high-pressure washing
- Reproof rugs when water stops beading on the surface
You can either reproof rugs yourself using specialist products or opt for a professional service for longer-lasting results.
Folding and Storing Horse Rugs
Once you wash horse rugs and they're fully dry, it's time to focus on storing your horse rugs correctly. Proper storage protects your investment and ensures that stay dry, fresh and ready to use next season.
Best Practices for Horse Rug Storage
- Store rugs in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Use breathable storage bags to prevent moisture build-up. The Masterclip range of horse rugs come in sturdy bags for convenient and easy storage.
- Keep rugs in sealed containers to protect from dust and rodents.
- Avoid damp areas, as moisture can cause mould growth and mildew.
Folding rugs neatly before storage will save space and keep your tack room organised.
Top Tip: Label storage bags with the rug type and your horse's name for quick identification — especially handy when you wash horse rugs for multiple horses.
Why Proper Washing & Storage Matters
Taking the time to properly wash horse rugs and follow effective horse rug storage practices offers real long-term benefits. Whether you wash horse rugs at home or through a professional service, doing it right helps maintain fabric strength and durability, prevents skin irritation, extends the lifespan of your rugs, and ensures waterproof rugs continue to perform at their best.
Wash horse rugs thoroughly before storing to prevent damage and odours.
Use appropriate products when you wash horse rugs, especially for waterproof fabrics.
Ensure rugs are completely dry before storing horse rugs.
Store in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space to avoid mould and wear.
Ready to upgrade your rug collection? Explore the range of Masterclip horse rugs, designed with rings for stable, travel, showing, and turnout—or get in touch with our team for bespoke recommendations tailored to your horse’s needs.
How often should you wash horse rugs?
It’s best to limit how often you wash horse rugs, as frequent washing, especially of waterproof horse rugs, can reduce their protective coating. Ideally, rugs should be cleaned at the end of the season or when they become heavily soiled. Regularly brushing them down in between washes can help keep them in good condition.
What is the best way to remove horse hair from rugs before washing?
Before you wash horse rugs, use a stiff-bristled dandy brush or rubber curry comb to work over both sides of the fabric. Removing as much hair as possible before you wash horse rugs will protect your washing machine and give you a better clean.
Can you wash horse rugs with other laundry items?
It’s not recommended to wash horse rugs with other items such as saddle cloths or regular laundry. Hair, dirt, and bacteria from rugs can transfer onto clothing, and extra bulk can damage your washing machine. For safe and effective horse rug cleaning, we recommend washing your rugs separately in a suitable machine or use a professional service.
