Chemists: BRING IT! OxyClean + Microtek for nasty waterproof blankets?

[mvp]

I have a waterproof blanket that's beyond stained and nasty.

I'd like to leave the waterproofing intact, so the usual suspects--hot water and detergent-- are out.

Can I add OxyClean to Equyss Microtek and get what I want-- balls-to-the-wall, "this one goes to 11" cleaning and stain removal? Or will OxyClean wreck the waterproofing?

Chemists are welcome to reply.... no.... help us!

I think Oxyclean is powdered Hydrogen Peroxide. I have no idea how Microtek works. I'm open to other product suggestions.

TIA!

[faybe]

I'm sorry I can't help you with the OxyClean, but have you tried any of the NikWash or NikWax products? I've never used the NikWash, but I know it's designed especially for waterproof materials. I've only ever used the NikWax and I love it. It's an alternative to spray-on waterproofing that you add to a wash cycle in your machine- amazing! It's so much easier than spray-on waterproofing products and I think it works better too. I do know that it says on the label not to wash anything you want to waterproof later with regular detergent (of course they recommend their own product, the NikWash, as an alternative, but like I said I've never tried it). Good luck!

[horsepoor]

I don't think that you want to use oxiclean on blankets that you want to keep waterproof. I'm pretty sure it is one of those products that can destroy the waterproofing (anything that really cleans seems to be!). I've had good luck with Rambo wash -- that's my top choice, then if I can't get it, I'll use the Eqyss one. Personally don't like the Nikwax one -- it smells bad, leaves residue in the washer, and I think my horses found it itchy, and I didn't think it cleaned as well as the Rambo wash.

[onelanerode]

I've never done the wash-at-home thing. Whatever cleaner my blanket cleaning service uses is fantastic though ... I gave them two disgusting, hadn't-been-washed-all-season turnout sheets and two filthy, hadn't-been-washed-all-season turnout blankets, and all four came back looking brand spanking new. It was $17/each to do them, and considering how nice they looked (and smelled) after they came back, I thought that was money well spent!

I know Horseware, at least, recommends not washing with certain substances. I bet you could call them and see if they have any recommendations for cleaning and defunkifying truly gross turnouts, since it sounds like you are concerned about skin crud-causing stuff as well as general filth.

[ThoroughbredFancy]

Rambo wash does a very good job. It's not terribly expensive because it only takes about 1-3 spoonfuls per wash. I was skeptical at such a small amount, but it really works.

Trust me, my TB knows how to make his blankets gross!

[Diamondindykin]

I use Microtek and regular laundry detergent to clean all my blankets in my washer and they come out great!! I can tell a big difference with how they smell when I also use Microtek versus regular detergent. I haven't had to re-waterproof yet while using Microtek.

[Catmando]

Two ways to get the grungy ones clean.....


Best is when blankets are washed in the huge commercial with at least 3 or more blankets. Just like your own clothing, the interaction in the washer really helps get them clean.

If you can only wash one at a time.....garden hose, a sprayer filled with a concentrated mix of NikWax Rug Wash, a brush and some muscle. Then throw it in the washer.

Just remember.....NEVER put your turnouts in the dryer.

[Pookah]

I would try Rambo blanket wash--I always have the urge to use Oxiclean because my blankets are SO nasty, and I am always shocked by how clean the Rambo stuff gets them.

[D&W]

Hi there!

My dad is a big time mountaineer -- used to work as a climbing ranger, ski patroller, etc., etc., hence, he has A LOT of the high-tech gear that has to be washed carefully to retain its waterproof-ness. :)

He and all his mountaineering buds swear by Nikwax products. So a few years ago I finally tried using it on my horses' turnout rugs and I think it works great! Specifically, I use Nikwax Tech Wash and I've never had a problem -- blankets come out great every wash and horses have never been itchy, etc. You do have to be sure do follow the directions closely -- top loading vs. front loading machine, how large the load is, if you have hard water, etc. But if you do it right I don't think there would be a problem. I've also never had any problems using it for my own outdoor gear -- clothes come out smelling clean and looking/feeling nice.

Also, I recently found out that Nikwax makes an actual rug-wash for horse blankets, but I don't think that's commonly found in stores, so I just use the Tech Wash since it's cheaper to go out and buy at the store rather than ordering a special bottle to wash blankets with.

Good luck!

[DMK]

I would probably choose a long soak cycle over oxyclean. With no evidence one way or another, I just think that would be death to waterproofing (because quite frankly, the stuff is obviously very delicate - I've used "waterproof safe non detergents, only to have it ruin the waterproofing). But I second the nikwax - that stuff gets my vote either for the wash or the spray on waterproofing.

My normal routine before storing is to put them in a soak/spin + wash w/nikwax cycle, store them, then spray them with nikwax spray on in fall before I use them again (they'd probably be OK to do it before they go into spring, but I figure it's better to do it just as they go back into use)

[theoldgreymare]

I have tried every commercial blanket wash made and they do remove some waterproofing each and every time you wash (and I do wash a ton of blankets and sheets every year). After some investigation on washing fine laundry and waterproof camping gear I have found that you can not use anything with detergent. Most sites recommended pure soap flakes, which are not readily available in the supermarket as they used to be. As an experiment (from info gleamed on a camping site), I grated an Ivory Soap bar (pure soap) and dissolved about 1/4 c. in hot water, then added to cool water of my machine and washed with an extra rinse cycle. I have now washed a year's worth of laundry and all sheets/blankets are still waterproof and costrs me next to nothing!

[baysngreys]

A good, long soak cycle will loosen a lot of the gunk.
Then wash with Rambo Wash. That stuff is amazing.

Hang it up to dry. If you want to re-water proof, Nikwax Rug Proof gets my vote.

I do all my blankets at home, save a ton of money. Do a bunch of "horse laundry", run a rinse cycle with a 1/4 cup of non-chlorine bleach thru the machine and it's good for clothes again!

[equi-jumper]

I use Micro-tek Blanket Wash (http://www.farmvet.com/p-1837-micro-tek-blanket-wash.aspx) I personally think its the best product out there for cleaning brushes and blankets. I use it in the washing machine for my waterproof blankets and it doesnt damage the waterproofing on the blanket but removes all the bacteria fungus etc. Plus it has a nice clean smell. To wash brushes I just put some in a bucket and swirl!!!

[mvp]

Thanks to all who have offered help.

I was asking because this blanket's nastiness is out of my league. I don't have a deep faith in Micro-Tek's stain removing properties.

I also happen to own a huge bottle of it, hence my question about this product.

I could, I suppose, buy Nikwash or Rambo. I have used Nikwash in the past with good enough results, but none of my blankets raised a challenge of this nasty size.

Either my standards are too high, the blanket too old (unlikely), or the spray-on Nikwax waterproofing isn't all that. JMO.

I'll update the thread and ask some official chemists to weigh in for our edification.

[Peggy]

Official chemist here. I think.

And my chemistry knowledge is pretty much useless here.

I do Google fairly well (part of any good graduate program is learning to obtain and process information) and discovered that it's not good for washing diapers b/c, among other things it destroys the waterproofing layer. That doesn't sound promising.

More Googling reveals that the magic blue thingies may be a surfactant. Don't think that's particularly good for waterproofing.

There is the experimental approach. Obtain a blanket, or part of a blanket, that you no longer use. See how waterproof it is. Wash as intended. Dry. Test again for degree of water repellency.

[bridgetah1]

I use Microtek and regular laundry detergent to clean all my blankets in my washer and they come out great!! I can tell a big difference with how they smell when I also use Microtek versus regular detergent. I haven't had to re-waterproof yet while using Microtek.

Me, too. However, I recently learned that it will no longer be sold in California. does anyone know anything about this? It worries me because I use it on everything!

Thanks.

[Mali]

Me, too. However, I recently learned that it will no longer be sold in California. does anyone know anything about this? It worries me because I use it on everything!

Thanks.

That's strange, because I think Eqyss is based in California????

[jn4jenny]

I've read this suggestion several years in a row here in COTH, and now that I'm a super poor grad student with a proper back yard where I can do it, I am going to try it:

Scrape/brush off the worst of the dirt. Remove outer mud with garden hose on spray setting. Put blanket in large tub/container. Fill with water (and, if you like, mild soap). Mush with broom handle or similar, then let soak. Repeat until blanket is clean. Rinse thoroughly and several times.

Seems to me like it would work--it's the equivalent of a thorough hand washing. It might take half a dozen rounds of mushing, but at this point I have more time/energy than money!

[mvp]

Me, too. However, I recently learned that it will no longer be sold in California. does anyone know anything about this? It worries me because I use it on everything!

Thanks.


I don't know about the Cali situation, but have a big ol' bottle I'll sell you. And I'll get my momma who lives in San Mateo to do the shipping.

Minor update. I did try Nikwax Tech Wash and Spray on waterproofing for one rainsheet. Meh. Meh for about $25 invested. Meh, perhaps, for the modern "waterproof" sheets and blankets that really aren't. Therein lies my problem.

[goldponies]

Mare ~~~~Did you use a whole bar of Ivory soap?

[stryder]

Minor update. I did try Nikwax Tech Wash and Spray on waterproofing for one rainsheet. Meh. Meh for about $25 invested. Meh, perhaps, for the modern "waterproof" sheets and blankets that really aren't. Therein lies my problem.

I recently re-waterproofed my sheets with Thompson's Water Seal. Yep, the stuff people put on decks. We put a big sheet of plastic down on the driveway, spread out the sheet and rolled it with a paint roller. Let it dry there for a bit (well, until it started to rain again) and then hung it in the garage. It doesn't smell great, and it's stiffer than the commercial application, but ....

that sucker is waterproof.

I'd sent them out to be commercially cleaned, because there is NO WAY my DH is going to let my mare's nastiness float into his tidy whities.

[whbar158]

My mom has always used the Nikwax wash and the wash in water proofing and my rambos are all 9+ years old used every winter on my clipped horse and they are still water proof today. I don't know her exact steps but I am pretty sure she washes with the wash then runs a cycle with the water proofing stuff then they sit outside to dry my blankets always looked like new every fall!

[marta]

i've been using the blanket wash and the waterproofer on all my blankets for 4 years and they look great and remain waterproof.

i would not heed advice of those telling you to scrub the blankets with a brush. that removes waterproofing.

[BeastieSlave]

I use Ivory laundry soap to wash my wp blankets and sheets. Soap, not detergent helps the waterproofing last. LLOOOONNNGG soaks for nasty stuff. I have srubbed and done extra rinses too. I really love Nikwax wash-in reproofing, Rambo next. I've got Rhino turnouts that just finished their 11th year and still going strong!

[Showbizz]

I've used Oxyclean on my blankets for years. Still waterproof. But that's not to say it's not slowly degrading the waterproofing. Heck, what doesn't?