Washing saddle pads in top load washer

[trubandloki]

@mydogs

My laundromat has a sign that says horse blankets are not allowed, but I tell myself that these are saddle pads are not blankets and I get as much of the horse hair off as I can so I don’t ruin it for everyone else

Isn’t not following the intended purpose of the sign part of what ruins it for everyone else? Do they really have to make a sign that says it in more detail?

I wash my saddles pads at home (and I wish I could take them to laundry because they have the bigger machines which would get them more clean), and I find that no matter how much hair I brush off them (during shedding season) that there is still a mess inside the washing machine.

I do hope you wash an empty load and wipe out the machine when you are done.

[mydogs]

@trubandloki

Isn’t not following the intended purpose of the sign part of what ruins it for everyone else? Do they really have to make a sign that says it in more detail?

I highly doubt I am the first and only horse person to use a laundry mat for horse items. I don’t use the laundry mat for my horse blankets because of the metal rattling. My saddle pads are shopped vac’ed and lint rolled very well before they are washed. My laundry mat does not want animal hair (dogs or horses) to clog the machines so I make a very good effort to get as much off as I can. I do ensure that the machines are cleaned after I am done.

[Madhouse]

We have a couple large, super-thick and stiff saddle pads that won’t work in a washer. I brought the carpet cleaner up last night. Hopefully the DW used it this morning to clean the saddle pads.

[BatCoach]

I have a small stack-able top-loader w. agitator. I have found the key is to wash frequently before things get too disgusting. My machine can handle a little dirt and hair, but not crusty nasties. I usually do a load of horse laundry a week - one square pad, polos in a garment bag, and any face rags or fly bonnets Cool water, largest setting and air dry everything.

[Tigers_in_Texas]

After my last show I washed my white pads 3 times with multiple tide pods, different types of liquid detergents, extra rinse cycles, you name it. And they were show pads, put on a clean horse, so I just didn’t understand why they wouldn’t get clean. I was getting so frustrated that finally my husband took the pads outside, laid them on the driveway, squirted some Dawn on them, and pressure washed them. They are now just as clean and white as the day I got them. I was amazed and this is the only way I will wash them from now on.

[Belowthesalt]

@NC001

with out top loader, I have to put the pads in dirty side out, put in oxy clean, detergent and then hit pre soak option and make sure to add extra water. That does decent job on ours.

I use a curry brush to get as much of the hair off as I can and then put in the dryer for about 10 minutes after washing to get remaining hair off.

That’s pretty much what I do. My washer also has a “bulky load” setting and I use that. Good hint about the dryer. I’ll try that. Usually I just drape them on the line or over the shower doors in wet weather.

[Morgan]

Lestoil is my miracle cleaner. You can find it at Walmart in laundry or cleaning aisle. Works on everything I’ve tried…boot dye, saddle dye, blood, overall crud. You get the point. Put it on directly or soak in a bucket/washer. Really bad stain I put it on directly, scrub it in with a stiff brush and let it sit overnight. Wash as usual. Has a harsh smell, but if it’s for the horses, it will soon be “horsey stinky.”

[DMK]

I use the pre-soak plus deep wash setting. I used to use the bedding option, but deep wash works better, I think.

[Hayburner]

Morgan. Ive used Lestoil for grease never tried it on saddle pads! I hate the smell of Lestoil

[inca]

I never could get my top load high efficiency washer to get any barn laundry clean. Finally gave up. Got a new washer/dryer for the house and moved the old set down to the barn. The front load high efficiency does a MUCH better job and is just easier to deal with. I am so much happier now - it was a huge source of frustration having to wash everything 2 or 3 times and it still not being REALLY clean.