Cleaning algae off ropes

[jwilson]

Had a non-critical for strength (grossly oversized for required load but nicer to handle) piece of 3-strand polyester that had been left out attached to a dinghy for a year and was dark green with algae instead of white.

Tried a soak in hot water and "Vanish", followed by vigorous scrubbing: not much improvement - lots of green still in fibres of rope.

Then put it into a diluted solution of "Milton" (baby bottle steriliser) and within seconds you could actually see it getting whiter. After five minutes pure white. Active ingredient in Milton is apparently sodium hypochlorite 2%, which I diluted maybe 20 to 40 to 1.

As far as I know polyester (ie terylene/dacron) is not affected by bleaches, though nylons are. Before I take a bottle of Milton and a bucket down to the boat and do all our halyards, reefing lines etc in the same stuff any comments on any potential weakening...? And will it bleach out the coloured "rogues yarn" strands that identify particular lines ...? I do know that it should not get onto metal objects.

 

[dmmbruce]

I had always read that the best thing is to put them in the washing machine with a sock/rag tied round anything hard like an eye. I haven't tried it. Perhaps I should!

 

[Quandary]

Yes, the washing machine works well even on old mooring ropes. The sock is optional but dont use your best pair. Its main purpose is to prevent regular washing machine operators within earshot hearing what you are up to. The Milton would be handy for reefing tails etc. which are hard to take out and replace, not hard to rinse/hose it out when you are done.

 

[Steve Clayton]

I had always read that the best thing is to put them in the washing machine with a sock/rag tied round anything hard like an eye. I haven't tried it. Perhaps I should!

it's better if you can use someone elses' washing machine!!

 

[TradewindSailor]

Had a non-critical for strength (grossly oversized for required load but nicer to handle) piece of 3-strand polyester that had been left out attached to a dinghy for a year and was dark green with algae instead of white.

Tried a soak in hot water and "Vanish", followed by vigorous scrubbing: not much improvement - lots of green still in fibres of rope.

Then put it into a diluted solution of "Milton" (baby bottle steriliser) and within seconds you could actually see it getting whiter. After five minutes pure white. Active ingredient in Milton is apparently sodium hypochlorite 2%, which I diluted maybe 20 to 40 to 1.

As far as I know polyester (ie terylene/dacron) is not affected by bleaches, though nylons are. Before I take a bottle of Milton and a bucket down to the boat and do all our halyards, reefing lines etc in the same stuff any comments on any potential weakening...? And will it bleach out the coloured "rogues yarn" strands that identify particular lines ...? I do know that it should not get onto metal objects.

I've used bleach many times with no problems. Maybe an oz. or two for 2 gallons, and soak for a couple of hours. The rope ID markers are not visible effected. I also use it regulaly on my nylon anchor bridle ...... if the bleach does any damage in these concentrations, I'm sure it does less damage to the rope than the barnacles.

Do rinse the ropes well though ...... and if you do have a washing machine, it does a great job of getting the dirt out too.

Perhaps there are some chemists out there with better informed opinion .....

 

[CJU]

I've pressure washed some and they came quite well, if a little hairy. Not something to be done to often though.

 

[Bilgediver]

Had a non-critical for strength (grossly oversized for required load but nicer to handle) piece of 3-strand polyester that had been left out attached to a dinghy for a year and was dark green with algae instead of white.

Tried a soak in hot water and "Vanish", followed by vigorous scrubbing: not much improvement - lots of green still in fibres of rope.

Then put it into a diluted solution of "Milton" (baby bottle steriliser) and within seconds you could actually see it getting whiter. After five minutes pure white. Active ingredient in Milton is apparently sodium hypochlorite 2%, which I diluted maybe 20 to 40 to 1.

As far as I know polyester (ie terylene/dacron) is not affected by bleaches, though nylons are. Before I take a bottle of Milton and a bucket down to the boat and do all our halyards, reefing lines etc in the same stuff any comments on any potential weakening...? And will it bleach out the coloured "rogues yarn" strands that identify particular lines ...? I do know that it should not get onto metal objects.

Mine are hanging in the back garden....The rain,snow and freezing weather have worked wonders.

 

[whisper]

I had always read that the best thing is to put them in the washing machine with a sock/rag tied round anything hard like an eye. I haven't tried it. Perhaps I should!

I've tried that and also the ruse of putting them into a pillow case to stop them tangling.
Results in relatively clean but still tangled ropes. Certainly not as obviously sparkling as it would appear they are after treatment with Milton.

 

[bob26]

I've bleached my ropes for 30 years. If it has significantly weakened them I have yet to notice (and yes, some of them are the same ropes).

 

[elton]

I found a load of 'old' green and dirty rope in the marina skip. stuck it in the washing machine with a large squirt of Domestos and some washing powder and it came out like new.