Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Horse Blankets

Growing up on the racetrack, you notice a lot of horsemen have old wringer washers outside their barns. They swear by them...they are great for washing "horse stuff." I have been keeping an eye out for one and finally found one on Craigslist. I went to see it. It was owned by one lady since the 1940s....it was in perfect working order. Even the wringer rollers roll along without protest. I was almost afraid to put a dirty, stinky blanket into it, worried I would wreck this beautiful machine. But, it is what I bought it for...to cut back on my blanket cleaning bill so I had to give it a whirl. I anxiously plugged it in, and waited for the smoke and explosion. None came! This machine is amazing. It is quiet and powerful, just cleaned my two sheets right up. When they were done washing, I simply rinsed the tub and it looked good as new. The drain water is pretty nasty. My next go-around, I am going to run the hose out the window so the grime ends up on the lawn and not down my drain. Love this thing...I have no more guilt. This machine can handle Maddy's dirty clothes.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh I would LOVE one of those! We share our washing machine with the horses and even though I rinse the blankets beforehand, I'm always worried that the machine will be worn out by all the dirt. I could send it off to have it hand washed, but that would take out all the color, so I keep with the machine... In my dreams however, I have one as the above!

Grey Horse Matters said...

What a great idea! I wish I could find one of those too. It's perfect. I remember my grandmother used to have one when I was a kid. I'm so surprised there are still working ones around. Good find.

Jennifer MacNeill said...

That's great you found one! My mom always washed her horse blankets in a wringer. Such a great machine.

OnTheBit said...

I think you have started a new trend now! I am so going to start looking for one. What a great idea!!!

Callie said...

Gosh, what a great idea! I need one of those. I just took the girls' blankets off and was wondering how to wash this year!

allhorsestuff said...

)))))HA haha((((it's a sensation!
You trend starter you!

Okay girl...you gotta GET A TRAILER and come discover all the trails here with me! I guess, so the maps Gem has says...we can get all the ay to 'Goat Mountain"! Well, we had goat trail ride today...The mare did well...better than with mini's!
Kac

jane augenstein said...

That machine looks just like the one I had about 15 years ago. I used it to wash our clothes, where we used to live we only had a small cistern and not much water so I used a wringer washer for years and years. Now, here on the farm we have a wonderful spring and lots of water but I do miss the old wringer, they are wonderful machines!!! Just watch getting your hands, hair or clothing caught in the wringers!!! It hurts!!!

Anonymous said...

What a great idea! I'm going to start looking on Craig's list for one.

I hate to admit this but I go to the laundromat for horse washing. (Can't fit most stuff in my machine.) That's always a big expedition and it takes a lot more money than you'd think. Then I have to Scotchgard everything.

Would be so much better if I could do things at home and keep up with it all as it needed washing, not just a seasonal thing.

restoration42 said...

Oh MY!!!! My grandmother's washing machine.