What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm

The Larches Rug Wash

Home
United Kingdom
Brampton
The Larches Rug Wash

Horse rug washing and repair service We return your horse blankets to almost new condition, in even the most difficult of cases.
(39)

Based in Brampton, Cumbria, The Larches Rug Wash was founded by Emma Hutchinson in 2006 and provides a high quality horse rug washing and repair service at affordable prices. The Larches Rug Wash has a wide and extensive customer base providing Washing and Repair services for Tack shops, Livery yards, Event yards, and Racing stables as well as family horses and ponies. We guarantee to provide you

with a prompt, efficient, reliable and courteous service. The Larches Rug Wash team pride themselves on providing a very personal service which guarantees high quality standards throughout the process. The entire Washing and Repair service is carried out ‘in house’ by a qualified and experienced team of people. Emma - Owner of the Larches Rug Wash

The Larches Rug Wash has recently invested a significant sum of money updating and improving the range of machines so that they are able to ensure that all the different types of rugs and their conditions are treated appropriately. The re-proofing process is performed so that the entire rug is treated, the outer, inner wadding and lining. The frequency of re-proofing depends on the age of the rug; a re-proofing treatment should last for a season and is recommended to be done annually. Emma is herself a horse owner and breeder and therefore understands the needs and requirements of her customers and will gladly offer advice on all ‘Rug Washing & Repair’ matters.

27/08/2024

After a lovely break in Ireland where I appreciated the fact I’d washed and reproofed my waterproofs before I left!!!! I’m now reopen and the washing machine is working hard! Just a few reminders to keep everything running smoothly during the next couple of months when it’s usually pretty manic!
Please bag your rugs with your name and a label on the outside with what you’d like done to the rug.
It would be great if you could collect within 14 days of the rug being ready.
Opening times are Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm for drop offs and you must pre book at least the day before for collections.
Please note anything coming in after the 1st August is subject to the new prices.
Unfortunately the minimum wait time for rugs is currently 4 weeks with everything being washed in date order. I am trying my best to get back down to 2 weeks.
Many thanks and let’s hope for an Indian summer as we’ve had no summer this year!!!
Emma

09/08/2024

Just a quick reminder, I will be closing at 6pm on Tuesday the 13th August and will reopen on Tuesday the 27th August. There are to be no drop offs during this time so please do not leave anything. I’ve only had 2 days off this year so this break is very much needed! Once I return I’ll be working overtime to ensure the turnaround time is back to normal. Thanks Emma

31/07/2024

Price Increase
Unfortunately for the first time since I started the business the prices will be increasing from the 1st August. With costs rising all the time it is no longer viable for me to run the business with the current prices. Nikwax alone now costs over double what it was costing me in 2006, this is without adding the electricity, velcro cleaners and packaging materials. Please note the new prices will only affect rugs coming in from tomorrow not rugs that are already here. Thank you for your understanding, running a small business is not easy now and it really is a case of having to up the prices or close the business completely.

Updated prices from Thursday the 1st of August 2024
Fleece, fly sheet, coolers etc wash £8
Stable rug wash £10
Turnout rug wash £10
Turnout rug wash and reproof £18

Many thanks Emma

28/07/2024

We are hay making this week so I might be slow replying to messages and definitely need 24 hours notice for rug collections so I can leave them out for you as it’s unlikely I’ll be around. Rugs are still being washed as normal as I’m making the most of this lovely dry, sunny weather! If you are waiting for an urgent rug and haven’t heard from me, do message me as hay making fries my brain 🤣. It’s the most important week of the year for us, making sure we are sorted with hay for the next year so there may be a delay with packaging up and repairs but all will return to normal by the end of the week. I hope you are enjoying some time with your horses in this lovely sunny weather, thanks Emma

15/07/2024

I am finally free of covid and the washing machine is working perfectly 🥳. Just a pre warning I will be closing on the 13th August for a holiday and will reopen on the 27th August.

The current turnaround time is around 4 weeks, do let me know if you need something back sooner and I will try my best. The volume of rugs coming in at this time of year creates a bit of a backlog but this year the weather has been horrific so nothing can be dried outside, I am limited to 30 rugs in the drying room at a time and some take up to 4 nights to dry, even on the centaur. Whilst air drying is time consuming and hard in this weather it is the only way I can ensure every rug is washed exactly how the care label requires it to be washed and most importantly dried. This means your rug goes back the same size it was when you dropped it off!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has been and collected their rugs within 14 days of them being ready, it’s been a huge help. I’m working overtime to get everything out as quickly as possible, do contact me if I you have any queries thanks Emma

11/07/2024

Some weeks are sent to try you 🤦‍♀️. On Saturday night the washing machine decided it had had enough and needed a break, for some reason it always does it on a weekend which means I have to wait until Tuesday to have it repaired! Then while cursing the washing machine for breaking down I managed to get covid on Monday. Thankfully the washing machine was repaired on Tuesday and I’m managing to work as normal so while I’m a little bit behind after having 3 days with no washing machine it’s business as usual! I am on around a 4 week wait now but as always do let me know if you need something back sooner and I’ll try my best. Here’s hoping for some sunshine to get some rugs out to dry 🤞🏻

24/06/2024

I’ve hit the time of year when I have rugs floor to ceiling waiting to be washed! Winter rugs are now on around a 4 week turnaround but I’m still offering a 1 week turnaround on anything you are currently using/need. Please do make me aware of this when you drop them off or they will join the winter rug queue. The weather is not being kind at all this year so everything is having to be dried inside which is taking much longer as the drying room can only take 30 rugs. Thankfully it seems to be picking up now so hopefully I’ll get caught up. Please read the pinned post at the top of the page before you drop off/collect, it makes my life much easier and if you can collect within 14 days of them being ready it would be hugely helpful. If you have rugs here that you know have been ready over 14 days please message to arrange collection. This is the busiest I’ve been in 18 years so I’d appreciate your help in making sure I can provide the best service I can for you all, thanks Emma

05/06/2024

With the cost of living making life and in particular horse ownership more expensive than it has ever been, I know lots of people, myself included are trying to save money where they can. This year I’ve had more people asking, does my turnout rug really need reproofed? So I thought I’d try and help you decide!

It’s a bit of a how long is a piece of string question and depends on the denier of the rug, how much fill is in it, the age of the rug and whether your horse lives out, is only out part of the day etc.

Generally I would advise reproofing your turnout rug every other wash so if you only wash it once a year, you only need to reproof every other year, but and this is a big but there are many other factors.
If your horse likes a good roll in the mud or rubs up fences and hedges, the rug is going to lose more outer coating than if your horse just wanders about eating!
If your horse lives out I’d advise the rug is reproofed every wash, the same goes for any rug under 100g. No fill and lightweight turnouts are not built to withstand heavy rain and let’s face it even during the summer we get heavy rain, by reproofing them every wash you are helping to create a barrier to help the rain run off. Think of the reproofing like a coat of wood stain on your shed, it protects the wood from rain and sun damage.
If your horse is only turned out a couple of hours every day, all year round you may get away with a good few years of only washing your turnouts. Another factor to consider would be is it financially viable to reproof the rug if it needs a large repair, sometimes the cost of a large repair and reproofing will be almost as much as a new rug, washing it and doing the repair will still give you a useable rug without buying new.

Whilst the Nikwax reproofer is great, it won’t make a rug that leaks waterproof! The reproofer adds to the water repellency of the fabric but won’t rebuild the waterproof layer that the rug naturally loses as it ages. If your rug is leaking the best thing to do is stick it in the bin and put the money you’d spend on reproofing it towards a new rug. I hope this helps you to decide whether your rug really does need reproofed ☔️, ultimately you know your rug, your horse and your routine better than me but I’m always happy to advise.

27/05/2024

Last Wednesday I was turning my mare out and noticed her belly straps were a bit long but I was in a rush and thought they’ll be ok until later! Fast forward to Wednesday night and this is how I find her 🤦‍♀️. You’d think the amount of rugs I repair due to horses getting their legs in belly straps I’d have known better. Within the week the rug was washed, reproofed, repaired and back on her for yesterdays rain.
I am extremely busy at the moment, in fact it’s my busiest May on record! None urgent rugs are taking about 3/4 weeks so please do let me know if you are dropping rugs off that you need as these can be done within the week. It’s not just Dinah that gets a fast turnaround when needed!

13/05/2024

The washing machine has had £2000 worth of new parts this morning so is ready for a busy season! After a week without it I am a little bit behind but looking at the forecast I’ll be well caught up by the end of next week ☀️

02/05/2024

When I started the business as a hobby 18 years ago I didn’t expect to be here so many years on! The business page now has nearly 1000 likes! Once I get to 1000 likes I’m going to run a competition for a free rug/dog bed wash. To enter just post your favourite photo of your horse or dog in the comments and then share this post. The winner will be chosen by one of my friends over in Ireland. Thank you for all your support over the last 18 years, without you I wouldn’t still be here 🥰

08/04/2024

I was talking to a customer yesterday who wanted to try and make her rambo turnout fit a different pony to which it was bought for. It reminded me of a rug I altered before Christmas, the rug was 6’6 but the horse needed a 6’3. I went over to meet him and see the rug on him so I knew exactly where to alter it so we could make sure the rug fitted him perfectly. Obviously I can’t make small rugs bigger but I can generally make rugs that are too big smaller! If your horse doesn’t fit off the peg sizes ask me about custom fit!

27/03/2024

Another delivery of Nikwax, despite the fact no Nikwax stickers will be appearing on your rug bags as they have stopped the stickers, I am very much still using it. It’s one of the few waterproofing detergents that doesn’t need heat to activate it, this means rugs don’t need to go into a tumble dryer after proofing so I can guarantee your rug will come back exactly the same size it was when you sent it! If you read the care labels in rugs they all advise no tumble drying.
I’m coming to my busy time so if you are dropping a rug that you need back quickly please do let me know as it’s never a problem to rush anything through at this time of year when the majority are winter rugs.

02/03/2024

I was in a tack shop last week where they had a bargain pair of gaiters as they were missing the popper. I’ve replaced lots of poppers on chaps, boots, jackets etc so it was an easy fix. If you need new poppers on any of your items it’s only a few pounds to replace them

08/02/2024

Are you fed up of hairs in your washing machine? For £8 you can have a mixed load of items washed, including headcollars, lead ropes, fly masks, grass masks, saddle pads, exercise sheets, brushing boots, bandages etc

29/01/2024

I enjoy a challenge on the sewing machine, whether it’s repairing rugs, altering rugs or making things from scratch. When my friends pony had an operation on her leg and couldn’t be turned out unless the bandage was kept clean, it gave me the chance to make something so she could still go out in the field. Having made some waterproof gaiters for Urban Horse’s Rocket Roo I knew this would be a good option for keeping Rosie’s bandage clean. Here she is modelling her waterproof gaiter that is elasticated top and bottom to keep her legs totally clean but give her the movement she needs. If you have an idea in your head of something that will make your life easier do drop me a message and I will try and create it!

15/01/2024

The Centaur rug dryer is now fixed and running with all 6 bars at the correct temperature 🥳. This means normal service has resumed and I’m on a 1 week turnaround, many thanks for your patience, Emma

02/01/2024

The customer winning the £50 Eskdale saddlery voucher is Sarah Douglas, well done Sarah 🥳

01/01/2024

Happy new year 🥳.

Everything is cleaned and tidy ready for reopening tomorrow although sadly the centaur drying rails are waiting for a new element so I won’t be back to full service until next week when it’s repaired. Rugs can still be dropped off and collected as normal but obviously they are going to take longer to dry until the centaur is back in action.

I’ve had a few new customers in the last few months so a quick reminder of how everything works.

Unfortunately I had to stop the free collection and delivery service last year due to costs, I have no plans to restart a collection and delivery service for the time being so all rugs need to be dropped off with me in Brampton.

All rugs must be bagged in disposable bags with your name, contact details and whether the rug is for wash, reproof and/or repair.

Rugs can be dropped off Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm. Please note I am closed on Sundays so no drop offs on Sundays. I am not always here during these hours so if you need to see me please arrange this prior to drop off, if not the garage is open for you to leave your rug.

Only clean rugs can be repaired, they don’t have to have been washed here but they must be machine cleaned before they can be repaired sadly a quick hose off doesn’t get them clean enough.

When I contact you to let you know your rug is ready it would be extremely helpful if you could collect within 14 days.

Rugs can be collected Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm but 12 hours notice must be given before you collect. Outside of these hours is by appointment only with no collections available on a Sunday. Again I am not always here or available during my opening hours so need to ensure your rugs are left out for you when you arrive so please do not just turn up unannounced to collect them.

If paying by bacs this must be cleared before your rugs leave the rug wash. Please do not arrive to collect having not sent the payment.

The customer who has won the £50 Eskdale saddlery voucher will be announced tomorrow evening.

Many thanks and here’s to a happy and healthy 2024!

Emma

18/12/2023

I’m a little later than planned but I’ve finally closed for Christmas and there is not a single rug in my washing or repair pile for the first time since April 🥳. I’d like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2024. May all your horses stay sound and healthy next year! Thank you for your support this year whether you brought a horse rug, dog bed or calf coat, it’s hugely appreciated. Running a small business nowadays is really not easy but thanks to my customers I’m extremely lucky to still be trading 17 years after I started the business. I will reopen on the 2nd January and announce the winner of the £50 Eskdale saddlery voucher then. Thanks again Emma

14/12/2023

Just a little update on rugs, I finally got to the end of the washing pile today 🥳. Obviously this means some rugs aren’t going to be ready for collecting tomorrow. I’ll be staying open until 10pm Sunday night for collections so nobody is without rugs over Christmas. I think I’ve messaged the majority of people with rugs here to let them know when they will be ready but if I’ve forgotten anyone please don’t hesitate to message me. Now I’ve washed the last rug of the year I can announce this years prize! I feel it’s more important than ever to support local small businesses so this years prize will be a £50 voucher for Eskdale Saddlery at Longtown. Everybody that has had a rug washed here this year will have their name entered into the prize draw. My way of saying thank you for your support this year, it’s hugely appreciated, without my customers I wouldn’t be going into my 18th year in business 🥰.

04/12/2023

The last day for dropping dirty rugs off is this Friday the 8th of December. I’ve had a few messages from people worried they won’t get their rugs back before I close for my Christmas break. Every rug that is here will be ready before I close. I’m back onto a 1 week turnaround and also working through the fly sheets that came in during September and October. If your rug needed repaired I do have a slight delay on repairs as the sewing machine was out of action for 4 days last week after I stitched over a metal buckle ⚡️. It’s back up and running and I’m getting caught up. So no panicking, your horses and ponies will get their rugs back for Christmas and after what seems like months I’m back onto a 1 week turnaround 🥳

28/11/2023

Just a quick reminder, I close for Christmas on the 15th of December and reopen on the 2nd of January. I will be accepting dirty rugs until the 8th of December, after that you will have to wait until January to drop them off. There will be no access to your rugs once I close so if you have rugs here I’d advise that you collect asap. Many thanks Emma

24/11/2023

Repairs and alterations are something I really enjoy, this one had the shoulder vent completely ripped out of it, if you think your rug might be past it or you need the neck removed or fastenings changed, always drop me a message as I can do most things!

19/11/2023

Alongside the many horse rugs that are being washed at the moment, I’ve been washing calf coats for The Moody Cow. Allonby and donkey rugs for Wyeknot Donkeys before they start their manic Christmas season. It’s nice to have some variety in the drying room!

15/11/2023

Now we are into November I can mention Christmas 🤯. I’ll be closing on Friday the 15th of December and reopening on Tuesday the 2nd of January. The centaur horse rug drier only has 4 bars working so that needs repaired and the sewing machine is overdue a service. By closing a bit earlier it means I can have the rug room and the drying room emptied and clean to get them sorted before everyone closes for Christmas. I’m currently washing rugs that came in at the beginning of November so I’m catching up and will be back onto a 1 week turnaround by the end of November 🥳. This means anyone with rugs here will have them back before I close. Everyone that follows the page knows I have an end of year competition to celebrate another year in business. This year I’m coming to the end of my 17th year of washing and repairing rugs 😳. Once again to give something back to my customers, the competition will not be run as a Facebook competition and all customers that have had rugs washed during 2023 will have their names entered into the competition. Keep an eye on the page to see what the prize will be this year! Thank you to all of you for your business this year, it’s been much appreciated and your patience over the last couple of months has been a huge help while I dealt with the backlog. Thanks Emma 😄

06/11/2023

Just a little update on turnaround times at the moment, I am still extremely busy and will not be back on a 1 week turnaround for a good few weeks yet. Sadly two of my most local rug washes have closed meaning the volume of rugs I’m having to take is much larger than normal. Obviously if it was July it would not be a problem as the majority of customers are not needing rugs back quickly and the weather allows for the drying process to be started outside. I do not have and will not use a tumble drier as I don’t believe any rug should be tumble dried so everything here is air dried, great to offer the 100% no shrinkage guarantee but it makes drying times much longer. It’s the first time in 17 years I haven’t been back on a one week turnaround in November and this is causing me a huge amount of stress as I’m well aware everyone is desperate for their rugs back. At the moment it’s between 3 and 4 weeks wait for your rugs back but I promise I am working overtime 7 days a week to get caught up as quickly as possible. I’ve never had this many rugs to get through so late in the year. If you have rugs here and you’d like an estimate of how long until they will be ready please do message me. Many thanks to everyone for your patience it is hugely appreciated, Emma

15/10/2023

When I say I’m busy I really am busy 🤯. I don’t ever remember a year with as many rugs coming in in September and October. I think the appalling summer it to blame for everyone leaving rugs to the last minute. It is 9pm on a Sunday night and I’m still working through the rug mountain. I’ve even looked at purchasing another washing machine to cope with demand at this time of year but unfortunately nor the floor or electrics will take another machine. Thank you for your patience and I promise I am trying my best to get rugs out to you as quickly as possible. This week I’ll be washing rugs that came in at the end of September and beginning of October so I’m not too far behind but with each wash and reproof taking 1 hour and 40 mins they do take some getting through! Thanks again Emma

20/09/2023

I’m well into what I like to call crazy season now! Winter suddenly arrives overnight and everyone realises they have no clean rugs. Rugs are coming in daily and I am getting lots of messages about my turnaround time. It’s such a hard one to predict as I can message someone saying it will be 2 weeks but half an hour later 40 rugs can come in and push everything back by 2 weeks. I’m working up until 2am at the moment to get everything through the machine and back to you as soon as possible. Obviously I have no tumble dryers here for an extremely good reason! However this does mean wait times are slightly longer as the centaur rug dryer doesn’t dry as quick as a tumble dryer but it does dry them with an 100% no shrinkage guarantee! Please be as patient as you can, I’m working to full capacity at the moment and the only way to guarantee you have your rugs ready when you need them is to bring them in the spring as soon as they come off the horses.

If you could make sure your rugs are bagged in disposable bags with a label on the outside clearly stating your name, contact details and what the rug requires this is extremely helpful as I don’t think anyone would be happy with a message at midnight asking what they’d like done with their rugs!

An extremely important point to make to you all is if your rugs have been in contact with lice, ringworm, strangles, equine flu etc please double bag them in sealed bags and contact me before dropping them off. Bio security is taken extremely seriously and I have a super strong disinfectant that they are washed in. These rug are treated in the strictest confidence so you can be assured only I know what has occurred.

Many thanks Emma

24/08/2023

After a fabulous time in the west of Ireland catching up with friends, seeing lots of lovely ponies and enjoying some sunshine 😳 I’m now back to work. The washing machine is working overtime and I’m trying to get through everything as quick as possible. If anyone would like an update on when their rugs will be ready please don’t hesitate to message me. It’s all systems go now to get rugs back out to you before the weather changes, many thanks for your patience, Emma

Address

The Larches
Brampton
CA81QT

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
Saturday	8am - 6pm

Telephone

+447733328329

Website

http://thelarchesrugwash.co.uk/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Larches Rug Wash posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to The Larches Rug Wash:

Videos

The customer winning the £50 Eskdale saddlery voucher is Sarah Douglas, well done Sarah 🥳

After last weeks lovely warm sunshine it was time for the lightweight turnouts to come out today. This is one of my own mares very old faded amigo turnouts after 6 hours out in the field today, the rain is beading on the rug after a wash and reproof with Nikwax. After 17 years of running the rug wash it’s still the only detergent I will use on outdoor rugs 💧

The drying room is full to bursting and I’ve had my busiest January since I started 17 years ago! Over 50 rugs already washed and I’ve not even been back open 2 weeks. Huge thanks to all customers that are following the new guidelines, it’s making my life so much easier and my head doesn’t feel like it’s going to explode 🤣.

Well the Christmas break flew by far too quickly! I’d like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope all your horses and ponies stay healthy and sound! I’m a day late with the competition as it took a while to write all the names out. I managed to convince mum to take a break from watching traffic cops and pull a name out the hat for me. The competition this year was for all customers that have had a rug washed here during 2022. Huge well done to Emma Little who has won £160 worth of rug washing during 2023 🥳. I reopen tomorrow for all your rug washing and repair needs, thanks Emma

Finally after what seems like an eternity, from the end of next week, I’ll be back to a 1 week turnaround 🥳. It’s been a ridiculously busy few months and I’d like to thank you all for your patience and understanding. The drying room has over 30 rugs in tonight and is a huge help to get everything dry with the guarantee of no shrinkage!

At the weekend I managed to spill Nikwax reproofer on my boot. This morning in the rain I noticed the dry patch on my boot! This is exactly what it does to your turnout rugs, keeping your horse nice and dry! I’ve used Nikwax since I opened 16 years ago and this is why I continue to use it!

Just 24 hours out of action and it’s back washing after a blockage of hair, mud and god knows what else!!!

I could not be without the drying room, especially when the weather is like this. Currently 20 rugs drying in there with room for more, not only is it heated but the centaur drying rails take 12 rugs. This is as close to being naturally dried as you can get, which means I can offer an 100% no shrinkage guarantee. Lots of people have been asking about the bank holiday weekend. I am open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for drop offs and pre-arranged collections 🐎

It’s hit that time of year again where I am in the garage long past midnight. Suddenly the rugs have started arriving and I now have over 1000 rugs in the rug wash, both clean and dirty! Here’s a few things you can do to help everything run a little bit more smoothly! • Make sure your rugs are labelled in a bag with your name and what your rug requires. • If you have any summer rugs or urgent ones please let me know on drop off so they don’t just end up at the bottom of my pile, I prioritise all fly sheets and lightweight rugs at this time of year. • Please try and collect your rug/s within 14 days of them being ready, I don’t have space to store hundreds of rugs until you all need them in October and the less rugs I have in the easier it is to find everything! • Please give me at least 12 hours notice before you wish to collect them so I can make sure they are available when you arrive, I’m not always at home and only I know what’s going on amongst the chaos 🙈🤣. • A little polite reminder regarding the opening times, 8am to 6pm Monday - Saturday. Closed on Sundays so I can enjoy some time with my ponies! It’s not a problem if you need to come outside of these times but you must pre-book. • All rugs must be paid for before they leave the rug wash. You wouldn’t manage to get out of Tesco without paying for your shopping and the same applies here. Unfortunately some people have taken advantage in the past and I don’t have the time nor patience to chase people for money. • I know times are tough for many people at the moment so the following offers will run right through the whole year, bring any rug for washing and get a free numnah wash included and have your waterproof jacket washed and proofed for free when you bring a rug in for wash and proof. I am always here to help, whether you need a rug done quickly, have a query regarding whether a rug is worth repairing or need longer to pay for your rugs. Please just phone

Yesterday was the first day of Spring, as we are enjoying such lovely weather the rugs are back outside to dry for the first time this year ☀️

It’s not just your ponies that like to try and destroy their rugs! The Larches Rug Wash Kimmy decided to attempt to wreck hers tonight by attaching herself to the gate 🤦‍♀️

It might be a bank holiday weekend but that doesn’t mean the washing machine gets a break! Got to make the most of this lovely spring sunshine by getting the rugs washed and out in the fresh air ☀️