How do I wash and reproof a turnout blanket?

WeatherBeeta says to clean a blanket from time to time and certainly after each season. Horse & Hound reports that professional rug cleaners recommend re-waterproofing once a year, and our horse blanket guide says to reproof annually after washing.

Fall is a good time to check. The shell's coating wears down with use: detergents, tears, years of sun and mud all take their toll, and a reproofer brings it back once the water stops beading. Our turnout sheet page puts it this way: a sheet stays waterproof for as long as its coating is cared for.

Before anything else, read your care label and your maker's guarantee. Makers back their shells for different lengths of time, and some have rules about washing and reproofing during the guarantee. We come back to that near the end.

WeatherBeeta's care guidance says to let the blanket dry and brush the dirt off with a bristle brush, and that less is more; brushing dry keeps the waterproof outer intact. Horse & Hound says never to scrub the outer with a harsh bristled brush, which can spike the membrane.

WeatherBeeta's wash steps start by removing excess dirt, mud and hair, then clearing detergent build-up from the dispenser and putting the blanket in a mesh wash bag to protect the straps and buckles. Horse & Hound adds that some manufacturers recommend a wash bag too.

Check the machine. WeatherBeeta says all of its blankets can be machine washed at home, but it depends on your drum capacity and machine, and if you are unsure to use a professional blanket washing service. Our horse blanket guide says an equine laundry is the choice for large or heavily soiled blankets. Horse & Hound says to check capacity too and not to use high pressure, which damages the fabric's pores and lets water leak through.

WeatherBeeta says to wash on a gentle or delicate cycle with mild soap or a blanket wash, and not to use detergents or fabric conditioners, which can damage the waterproof and breathable coating. Horse & Hound says the same: conventional detergents leave residues that harm water repellency, and fabric softener strips the coating.

Temperature is where the sources split, so go with your label. Horse & Hound says to use cold water only on a synthetic rug and that hot or warm water can ruin the waterproofing. Our horse blanket guide says cold or warm on a gentle cycle. Horseware's care label, as our Horseware blanket guide notes, calls for a cool wash and no tumble dryer. Cool or cold is the common ground; hot is the one to avoid.

Then rinse well so no soap is left in the fabric. If your washer can't take the bulk, a laundry that handles horse blankets is the answer.

Our guide to keeping your horse dry describes a simple test: lay the blanket flat, pour a cup of water on the shell and watch. The water should bead and hold for several minutes. If it soaks in within about 30 seconds, it is time to reproof.

Horse & Hound has a version for a sink or tub: lay the rug over it, make a small dip in an area with no fittings, pour in a glass or two of water and let it pool. The rug layer should hold the water without letting any seep through to the inside.

Do the test on a dry afternoon, so you have time to wash, reproof and dry before the next storm. It also pays to look at seams, hardware and any tears while you have it flat. See our wet horse page for why a leaking shell matters.

Horse & Hound explains why a clean rug matters: the product bonds better when there is no dirt in the way. It says wash-in reproofers made for horse rugs can be used in the washing machine, applied when washing by hand, or applied with a sponge on small areas, while a spray works best on small patches and touch-ups over stitching.

Our horse blanket guide says to apply a spray-on reproofer after each season's wash, while the blanket is still damp, and that this restores the DWR coating. WeatherBeeta says to use a blanket proofer and follow its instructions, and that reproofing restores both water repellency and breathability.

Know what reproofing cannot do. Horse & Hound explains that rugs have an outer coating you can reapply and a waterproof membrane bonded inside that you cannot. If the membrane has failed, a reproofer won't fix it. A blanket with a worn-out membrane, tears or failing seams may need replacing, and WeatherBeeta recommends getting a professional's help with cleaning and reproofing if you would rather not do it yourself.

As our Horseware blanket guide describes Horseware's guarantee, washing it the wrong way, repairs by anyone other than Horseware, reproofing in the first three years, poor storage and leaving it in strong sun can void it, and it does not cover damage from outside force like a fence or a kick. WeatherBeeta says its turnouts are guaranteed for three years for hardware, waterproofness and breathability. Amigo carries a 2-year standard warranty, as each maker states it.

These are the makers' terms as described to us and can change. Your blanket's own paperwork is the final word, and so is the maker's customer service. If you are not sure whether reproofing is allowed on a blanket still under guarantee, ask the maker first.

WeatherBeeta says to line dry and not to tumble dry, and Horseware's label calls for no tumble dryer; our guide says not to tumble dry unless the label says it is safe. WeatherBeeta warns that a blanket stored damp can come out moldy next season, and Horse & Hound says to allow damp or sweaty rugs to dry because mold eats away at the membrane over time.

Horse & Hound also suggests letting a rug cool to room temperature for a few hours before storing it, folding it into a large laundry bag and keeping it out of direct sunlight, because UV eventually affects the lining. WeatherBeeta says each of its blankets comes with a zip storage bag.

Through the season, WeatherBeeta suggests wiping the lining with a damp cloth to remove grease and dirt that can irritate the horse, and checking the shell for holes and the straps and hardware to make sure they are intact, since damaged straps can endanger his legs.

WeatherBeeta says to inspect the outer regularly for holes or pulls. Our Horseware guide says that for small tears under warranty, contact Horseware first, because repairs by anyone else can void the guarantee; out of warranty, a clear repair adhesive for small tears in the outer is the approach it describes.

Liners and hoods are washed separately from the shell. Horseware's guide says its liners go in a home washing machine. A liner is not meant to get wet outside, so wash it at the end of the season, dry it completely and store it with the outer. If you reproof the outer, you do not need to reproof the liner; its job is warmth, not water. See our liner or heavyweight page for how they fit together.

Here it is in one place, drawn from WeatherBeeta, Horse & Hound and our own guides:

• Let it dry, then brush off mud and hair with a bristle brush.
• Check the shell for holes and pulls, and the straps and hardware for damage.
• Do up the straps, put it in a mesh bag, and clear detergent build-up from the dispenser.
• Gentle cycle with a blanket wash, no softener, cool or cold water per the label.
• Do the water test; reproof if water soaks in.
• Line dry, no tumble dryer, until completely dry.
• Cool to room temperature, fold into a bag and store out of sunlight.