Can I take advantage of Oxy-Clear?
Why You Ought to NOT Use Oxy Clear on Horse Blankets
You pull your horse’s winter blanket out of the tack room, and the odor alone makes you are taking a step again. Mud, sweat, and who-knows-what else are caked into the material. You understand it wants a severe wash, and as you scan your laundry provides, that shiny, cheerful container of Oxy Clear appears to virtually name your title. In spite of everything, it guarantees to carry stains, brighten materials, and take away odors—precisely what you want, proper?
Not so quick.
Whereas Oxy Clear works wonders in your on a regular basis laundry, utilizing it in your horse’s blankets is like washing a water-proof jacket with dish cleaning soap—what looks like a good suggestion at first can find yourself ruining the very factor you’re making an attempt to scrub. The improper cleaner can strip away waterproofing, weaken stitching, and depart behind residue that might irritate your horse’s pores and skin.
As somebody who’s spent years professionally washing and repairing horse blankets, I’ve seen all of it—the stiff, crunchy materials, the once-waterproof sheets that now absorb rain like a sponge, and the determined homeowners questioning why their once-reliable blankets aren’t holding up anymore. On this put up, I’ll stroll you thru precisely why Oxy Clear is a no-go and what to make use of as a substitute to maintain your blankets clear, secure, and long-lasting
1. The Science Behind Horse Blanket Supplies & Why Oxy Clear is Dangerous
Consider your horse’s blanket like a high-tech winter coat—constructed with layers of rigorously engineered supplies designed to maintain moisture out whereas nonetheless letting the material breathe. Most turnout blankets have a water-proof outer shell, an insulating center layer, and a gentle internal lining. Every layer performs a task in defending your horse from the weather whereas conserving them comfy.
Now, think about throwing that costly winter coat into the wash with a cleaner that wasn’t designed for it. Harsh cleansing brokers—like those in Oxy Clear—can break down the waterproof coating, leaving your horse’s blanket about as efficient as a moist towel on a wet day.
What Occurs When Oxy Clear Meets Horse Blanket Cloth?
Breaks Down Waterproofing: Oxy Clear incorporates highly effective oxygen-based bleach, which might strip away the DWR (Sturdy Water Repellent) coating. As soon as that’s gone, water now not beads off—it soaks in.
Weakens Cloth & Stitching: These robust seams conserving the blanket collectively?
Harsh detergents can weaken them, resulting in extra rips, tears, and an general shorter lifespan in your blanket.
Leaves Behind Residue:
Not like human garments, horse blankets are thick and absorbent. If not rinsed totally, detergent residue can linger, probably irritating your horse’s pores and skin or inflicting allergic reactions.
I as soon as had a buyer who swore by Oxy Clear—till she observed her horse’s beforehand waterproof turnout sheet was immediately absorbing water. She thought perhaps it was simply getting previous, however when she introduced it to me, I might inform instantly what had occurred. The waterproofing was gone, and when she talked about utilizing Oxy Clear, I wasn’t shocked. That blanket, as soon as her go-to for moist climate, was now simply one other layer of material that did little to maintain her horse dry.
2. How Oxy Clear Impacts Horses’ Pores and skin & Well being
Image this: You simply spent all day outdoors within the chilly, bundled up in your favourite winter jacket. You lastly come inside, peel it off, and—ugh—you notice your pores and skin is itchy, pink, and irritated. Seems, the detergent you used final time left behind some residue, and now your pores and skin is paying the worth. Now think about that taking place to your horse.
Horses have delicate pores and skin—way more delicate than ours in some ways. When a blanket is washed with harsh cleaners like Oxy Clear, the residue doesn’t simply disappear, even should you rinse totally. The thick, layered material of horse blankets traps detergent deep within the fibers, which means your horse could possibly be uncovered to chemical irritants each time they put on it.
The Hidden Dangers of Residue on Horse Blankets
Pores and skin Irritation & Hair Loss –
Horses can develop rashes, hives, or dry, flaky pores and skin from extended contact with chemical residues. In extreme instances, chances are you’ll discover bald patches the place the blanket rubs in opposition to delicate areas just like the shoulders or withers.
Respiratory Sensitivities –
Have you ever ever caught a whiff of robust detergent and felt your nostril burn? Horses have a a lot stronger sense of odor than we do, and lingering detergent scents or chemical fumes could cause respiratory irritation, particularly in horses susceptible to allergy symptoms or heaves.
Ingestion Dangers –
Some horses like to nibble on their blankets (everyone knows that horse). If a blanket has residual Oxy Clear or different chemical detergents, your horse might by chance ingest these substances, resulting in potential digestive upset or toxicity issues.
I as soon as had a good friend who washed her horse’s blankets with an on a regular basis family detergent, considering it was a innocent swap. Per week later, she observed her gelding rubbing his shoulders in opposition to the stall partitions, scratching himself uncooked. After ruling out insect bites and allergy symptoms, she rewashed the blanket with a horse-safe detergent—and identical to that, the itching stopped. That’s how shortly the improper cleaner can flip into an actual downside.
How Can You Inform If Your Blanket Nonetheless Has Residue?
In case your horse is immediately itchy after carrying a clear blanket, that’s a pink flag.
- Rinse the blanket and see if suds nonetheless seem—in that case, detergent remains to be trapped within the material.
- Scent take a look at: If it nonetheless smells like detergent after drying, there’s seemingly residue left behind.
- Utilizing the improper cleaner doesn’t simply impression your blanket—it impacts your horse’s consolation, pores and skin well being, and even their skill to breathe simply. However don’t fear, there’s a greater method. Up subsequent, I’ll stroll you thru safer, more practical alternate options that can preserve your blankets clear with out the chance.
3. What to Use As a substitute: Protected & Efficient Alternate options
So, if Oxy Clear is a no-go, what must you use as a substitute? You want one thing robust on grime and odors however light on waterproofing, stitching, and—most significantly—your horse’s pores and skin. The excellent news? There are many secure alternate options that can get your blankets clear with out compromising their efficiency or your horse’s consolation.
1. Horse-Protected Laundry Soaps: Formulated for the Job
Identical to you wouldn’t wash your leather-based saddle with dish cleaning soap, you shouldn’t wash horse blankets with simply any detergent. Horse-safe detergent-free laundry soaps, like Blanket Protected Horse Blanket Wash (shameless plug, however significantly, it really works!), are particularly designed to scrub with out stripping waterproofing or forsaking irritating residues.
Why They Work:
✔ No Harsh Chemical compounds – Free from brighteners, bleaches, or material softeners that break down waterproofing.
✔ Rinse Cleanly – No lingering residue to annoy your horse’s pores and skin.
✔ Designed for Heavy Materials – Breaks down grime and odors with out weakening material or stitching.
A buyer as soon as advised me she had tried each “light” detergent she might discover on the retailer, solely to have her waterproof blankets begin leaking by mid-season. After switching to a horse-safe detergent-free resolution, her blankets lasted longer, smelled contemporary, and—most significantly—saved her horse heat and dry.
2. Correct Washing Strategies: Shield Your Funding
Even with the best soaps, the way you wash your blankets makes all of the distinction.
✔ Use Chilly Water – Scorching water can break down waterproof coatings quicker.
✔ Light Cycle or Giant-Capability Washer – Keep away from aggressive agitation that may weaken stitching.
✔ Double Rinse – Ensures no soapy residue stays.
✔ Air Dry Solely – By no means put horse blankets within the dryer; the warmth damages the material and waterproofing.
In case your washer isn’t massive sufficient, a soak-and-scrub methodology in a bathtub or inventory tank can work simply as nicely. Some people even swear by strain washing, however watch out—an excessive amount of pressure can push grime deeper into the material quite than lifting it out.
4. Skilled Blanket Cleansing Companies: When to Name within the Execs
Typically, DIY simply isn’t the best choice—particularly should you’re coping with heavy-duty winter blankets, cussed stains, or a blanket that desperately wants re-waterproofing. Skilled horse blanket cleansing companies (like mine!) use commercial-grade gear and horse-safe laundry soaps to deep clear with out damaging the material.
When must you take into account skilled cleansing?
✔ In case your blanket is closely dirty and wishes a deep clear.
✔ If it’s misplaced waterproofing and wishes re-treatment.
✔ If you wish to lengthen the lifespan of an costly turnout blanket.
Consider it like sending your good winter coat to the dry cleaner as a substitute of making an attempt to clean it in your house machine—you’re defending your funding!
Coming Up Subsequent…
Now that we’ve coated what NOT to make use of and what works finest, it’s time to wrap issues up. Within the subsequent part, I’ll summarize the whole lot we’ve coated and depart you with some key takeaways to maintain your horse blankets in prime form all season lengthy.
Conclusion: Maintain Your Horse Blankets Clear & Purposeful the Proper Means
On the finish of the day, conserving your horse’s blankets clear isn’t nearly eliminating the grime and odor—it’s about defending your funding and, most significantly, your horse’s consolation and well being. Whereas it’s tempting to seize Oxy Clear or a family detergent for a deep clear, the dangers far outweigh the advantages. Stripped waterproofing, weakened material, pores and skin irritation—it’s simply not price it.
As a substitute, utilizing a horse-safe laundry cleaning soap and the best washing methods will preserve your blankets performing like they need to—conserving your horse heat, dry, and comfy all season lengthy. And when unsure, skilled blanket cleansing companies are all the time an important possibility for extending the lifetime of your blankets whereas saving you time and trouble.
Key Takeaways
✔ Keep away from Oxy Clear and family detergents—they break down waterproofing, weaken stitching, and might irritate your horse’s pores and skin.
✔ Use horse-safe detergent-free laundry soaps—they’re particularly designed to scrub with out harm or residue.
✔ Wash with care—chilly water, light cycles, thorough rinsing, and air drying are important to sustaining material integrity.
✔ Contemplate skilled cleansing—for deep cleans, waterproofing re-treatments, and preserving your blanket’s lifespan.
Let’s Chat!
Have you ever ever had a blanket lose its waterproofing after washing? What’s your go-to methodology for conserving them clear? Share your experiences within the feedback—I’d love to listen to what’s labored (or not labored!) for you!
In case you’re searching for a secure and efficient approach to wash your horse blankets, take a look at Blanket Protected Horse Blanket Wash—trusted by equestrians who need their blankets clear with out compromise.
Now, go take pleasure in a barn day with out worrying about ruining your blankets within the wash—you’ve acquired this!
A Notice from the Founder
Hey there, fellow horse lover!
In case you’ve made it this far, I do know you care about doing proper by your horse—and I like that. After I first began washing horse blankets professionally, I noticed so many well-intentioned homeowners by chance ruining their blankets with the improper detergents. It wasn’t their fault—there simply wasn’t sufficient info on the market about what really works (and what actually doesn’t).
That’s why I created Blanket Protected Horse Blanket Wash—a cleaner designed particularly for horse blankets, made to sort out grime and odors with out stripping waterproofing or forsaking irritating residues. I needed one thing that labored, saved blankets in prime form, and, most significantly, was secure for our horses.
So, should you’re bored with guessing and hoping your blankets will survive one other wash, I’ve acquired you coated. Actually.
Joyful washing,
Laura
Founder, Blanket Protected Horse Blanket Wash
