Cleaning Western felt pad

[cabz]

I think I may have to get it professionally cleaned. HD thick pad. Cleaned with hose, brush, but it STINKS!!! Leaving it out in the hot sun, but I don’t think it is helping or the mould? or whatever is causing the smell is imbedded too deep. If I do get it cleaned, suggestions so this does not happen again. Located in Ontario, Canada.

Thanks in advance for any advice or info.

[Go_Fish]

Power washer or, if you don’t have one, take it to a car wash. Keep in mind, if the pad is old and worn, it may disintegrate in spots, so watch what you’re doing.

[jvanrens]

A friend of mine used to do her good wool pads with a pressure washer and hang them in the sun to dry. The hair blasted right off them. Maybe you could sprinkle yours with some borax first. That would help with the smell. But like Go Fish mentioned you might want to watch the pressure spike it doesn’t come apart.

[TheHunterKid90]

Dry cleaners! My guy had never done any horse items before but was eager to give it a whirl so I started with some inexpensive show pads in case something went wrong. And yes, some of them had a mildew smell from getting sweat on them and then not drying properly.
He charges me $15 a blanket and it’s so worth it; pads look brand new and smell even better!!

[cabz]

Thanks everyone, will try your suggestions.

[CircleY-Tucker-Reinsman-HighHo]

For wool felt pads, cleaning can be difficult. We usually recommend using a mixture of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can also vacuum these, and some riders use carpet cleaners. We generally do not recommend fully soaking these pads, as depending on your location (heat/humidity) it can take several days for the pad to dry.

We would not recommend dry cleaning or leaving the pad in the sun. There have been cases where these cleaning options have damaged the wool, which can change the shape of the pad.

[BlueDrifter]

I have also read to clean the pad from the outside to the underside – so you don’t push the dirt in deeper. And, to avoid pressure washers as they might do more damage than good.

[beau159]

@BlueDrifter

And, to avoid pressure washers as they might do more damage than good.

shrug

That’s how I have been cleaning my 5 Star pads for years. Doesn’t hurt them. Now, I don’t go pressure washing them once a week or anything, but usually once or twice a year they get a good cleaning with mild laundry detergent and the pressure washer, and then sit on the saddle rack (to keep their shape) outside in the sun to dry. (the sun kills things, including mold)

My oldest 5 star pad is 7 years old with fairly heavy use and it still washes up fantastic. Really impressed with them.

[KBC]

@beau159

shrug

That’s how I have been cleaning my 5 Star pads for years. Doesn’t hurt them. Now, I don’t go pressure washing them once a week or anything, but usually once or twice a year they get a good cleaning with mild laundry detergent and the pressure washer, and then sit on the saddle rack (to keep their shape) outside in the sun to dry. (the sun kills things, including mold)

My oldest 5 star pad is 7 years old with fairly heavy use and it still washes up fantastic. Really impressed with them.

Another reason to buy 5 Star pads, they wash and wear so well.

[Elisabeth_G]

Hello! A friend and saddlemaker reccomended hosing off my 5star pad regularly with just water. It is best to avoid that build up of gunk, with taking care of it on a regular basis. The problem with detergents is, that some residue will always stay in the pad, no matter how well you rinse, because the felt really soaks it in. For sensitive horses this can be a problem. If I ride every day in summer, I usually clean it every two weeks. Of course it takes 1-2 days for the pad to dry
For a really gross pad I would reccomend a pressure washer, I think that´s your only hope.
I hope this helps!