Caring For Your Equestrian Clothes

Riding horses for sport or competition is a great way to honor the sophisticated sport, and appearance is often just as important as skill. You want every hair to be in place and every crease in your riding pants to be just so. The way you care for your equestrian clothing, such as those from Kastel Denmark, helps determine how fresh and new-looking your garments remain.

Here are tips to keep your riding boots, helmet, jacket, pants, and other equestrian riding clothing in pristine condition. The next time you ride you will look as fabulous as your steed and be able to perform with ease and grace.

Use borax to get rid of odors

No matter how much you try to avoid it, your equestrian and show clothing will begin to smell like a sweaty, hard-working horse. A proper rinse in the washing machine using borax will get rid of much of the odors and restore your clothing to great-smelling condition. Make sure to use a delicate washing cycle to help preserve the fabric's natural shape.

Line dry over drying in the machine

While a dryer is convenient for washing your casual and everyday clothes, it can fade or warp your riding breeches, white shirts, and other clothing items. Instead, hang your clothing on an outdoor clothesline and allow the gentle breeze and sun to dry your clothing. Since the sun is a natural bleaching agent, it can help keep your whites even brighter than traditional washing alone.

Make sure your clothesline is not placed under any trees so you can keep bird feces and other debris from getting on your clothing. A clothesline can easily be placed between two fence posts or a pair of trees for easy access.

Store shoes and helmets in a safe place

Your riding boots and helmet should always be stored in a closet away from other items and out of the sun to prevent fading. Wipe down boots and helmets with a soft cloth after every ride to remove hair and debris. You can buy shoe polish, helmet buffing equipment and other supplies at your local equestrian supply store to help keep your riding gear in beautiful condition, longer.

Dry clean when needed

Leather, suede, and other items should be dry cleaned rather than washed at home to help them keep their shape and appearance. If you want to keep your equestrian clothing in its best condition, separate the items you can wash at home from the ones that should be cleaned professionally. Talk to your dry cleaner about keeping washable items cleaner as well, such as your white shirts and breeches so you can always be show-ready on your horse.