I have no problems spilling the secrets haha. Blanket cleaning is expensive!
So the #1 most important thing is the washer. You must have a front load extra large drum with no middle agitator. Sometimes you can get used ones from hotels or commercial ones, but truthfully the large load ones now on the residential market are more than adequate for even the biggest blankets. Essentially, you want one that’s advertised as being able to handle comforters.
My first wash on the blanket I add the soap of choice to the load. Use less soap than you might imagine you need. If you don’t your washer will over bubble. I then set it to pre-soak, bulky load, High dirty level, second rinse, all on cold.
Once that goes through I take it out and flip it so it’s either inside out or outside in, depending on how I loaded it the first time. Then, I run another cycle. Depending on the client preference this is when you add either your waterproofing or fabric softener (despite what some blanket cleaners say, I actually do think fabric softener can be used on blankets. But I only do so if the client wants it. It just makes the blankets smell way, way nicer). I set this cycle to be bulky load, normal dirt level, second rinse, cold water.
The second cycle is extremely important. Blankets don’t release soap from them like our clothes do. They will hold onto that soap and it can cause irritation to the horse if it’s not all washed out properly.
After that cycle, it comes out and goes downstairs in my basement where it dries for anywhere from overnight (summertime, everything dries quick) to a week.
I then either bag them up, or if the client has requested spray waterproofing I spray it and let it sit another 24 hours to let the smell dissipate before bagging them.
I find spray waterproofing actually works better than wash in, and you don’t ever want to use wash in waterproofing if your blanket has any fleece on the collar or anything like that.
