As spring arrives and lightweight riding jackets come back into use, it’s the ideal time to properly clean and store your winter coat. If you’ve spent the colder months riding in an EQUIDRY long oversized coat, such as the Thick Fleece Evolution, Parka or Original, it’s likely built up a fair layer of winter mud. Before packing it away, taking the time to clean your coat correctly will help protect the rip-stop outer fabric, prevent zip damage and maintain the durable water-repellent (DWR) finish, ensuring it continues to perform season after season.
How do I clean light dirt off my winter riding coat?
Not every winter coat needs a full wash at the end of the season. If it only has a light layer of surface mud, a quick wipe down is often enough to remove dirt while preserving the DWR coating.
To remove light dirt from your coat:
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Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth to lift off surface mud
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If needed, gently rinse the outer fabric with a hose
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Use a small amount of washing-up liquid for grease-based marks
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Re-proof your coat with a treatment specifically designed for waterproof clothing, such as Grangers Performance Repel Plus
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Leave the coat to dry naturally in a warm, well-ventilated space
To refresh your coat’s inner from any smells, use Grangers Odour Eliminator Spray, which neutralises unpleasant odours without affecting the waterproof membrane.
How do I clean heavy dirt off my winter riding coat?
If your coat has built up a thicker layer of mud after a full winter on the yard, a machine wash may be necessary. When washing waterproof equestrian coats, it’s important to use the correct machine settings and products to protect the technical fabric.
How should I machine wash my waterproof riding coat?
Here’s how to machine wash your coat safely:
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Wash at 30°C maximum
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Use a treatment specifically designed for waterproof clothing, such as Grangers Performance Wash
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Choose a gentle cycle
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Re-proof your coat with a treatment specifically designed for waterproof clothing
After washing, it is vital to ensure the coat dries properly. Allow the garment to dry fully in a warm, well-ventilated room, or tumble dry on a low heat setting, checking it regularly to prevent overheating.
What should I avoid when washing a waterproof riding coat?
There are also a few things riders should avoid when machine washing coats, as they could damage waterproof membranes.
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Fabric conditioner
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Hot washes
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Dry cleaning
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Harsh detergents
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Washing too frequently
How should I reproof my winter riding coat?
Over time, waterproof fabrics can lose their ability to repel water. This doesn’t mean the coat is no longer waterproof, it simply means the outer coating needs refreshing.
How can I tell if my coat needs reproofing?
Waterproof garments benefit from reproofing every few months if regularly worn in harsh weather. A good way to check is by observing how water repels on the surface of the fabric. If water beads and rolls off, the coating is still working. If water soaks into the fabric, it’s time to reproof your coat.
What should I do before reproofing my coat?
Before applying a reproofer, ensure the following steps are done:
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Remove excess dirt from the coat
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Ensure the garment is damp
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Check that reproofing treatment is specifically designed for waterproof clothing
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Follow the reproofing instructions as stated on the product bottle
What’s the best way to store my winter riding coat?
Once your coat is clean and completely dry, storing it correctly will help protect it until it’s needed again. Improper storage can cause creasing, damage waterproof coatings or affect zips and fastenings.
How do I keep my coat in the best possible condition?
Here are our top tips for storing your waterproof coat over summer:
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Store it in a cool, dry place
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Hang it on a wide, sturdy hanger to maintain its shape
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Alternatively, pack it back into its storage bag
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Keep it away from direct heat and sunlight
Key takeaways for protecting your winter coat
A high-quality waterproof riding coat is an essential piece of equestrian kit, designed to keep riders comfortable and dry in challenging weather conditions. Taking the time to wash and reproof your winter coat ensures that when winter returns, it will be ready to handle the elements just as well as it did on the first ride. For more guidance, read our blog “How to care for your EQUIDRY oversized coat” or our zip care guide.
