Cleaning boats ropes

[Jodelpilot]

Hi,

Anyone have any good tips on cleaning yours boats ropes?

Have heards about people putting them in the washing machine but I might have imagined that!

Thanks.

 

[sailorman]

Hi,

Anyone have any good tips on cleaning yours boats ropes?

Have heards about people putting them in the washing machine but I might have imagined that!

Thanks.

Some of mine will be in the WM over night tonight normal powder + non tangle stuff in the rinse 1000 rpm spin
untangle them in the morning

 

[MoodySabre]

I put mine in the washing machine this week - an annual event that I try to do when the admiral of the kitchen is out

 

[sailorman]

I put mine in the washing machine this week - an annual event that I try to do when the admiral of the kitchen is out

I mended the WM ( new bearings + seals ) Mrs Sm has no say in the matter

 

[Jodelpilot]

Seems only fair!! Just hope it doesn't break the WM!!
Thanks fo the confirmation both.

 

[sailorman]

Seems only fair!! Just hope it doesn't break the WM!!
Thanks fo the confirmation both.

i leave the mainsheet blocks ( easyblock doubles ) still attached as there on a continuous line with no probs.
just stick then in a sock to stop noise

 

[VicS]

I soak in detergent first and use the gentlest wash program as i have had braided ropes damaged in the machine (Probably on last legs anyway).

Would not use a fabric softener (SWMBO wont use them anyway)

 

[AIDY]

Yup... any shackles wrapped in a thick sock and tied. rope inside a pillow case with washing tablet then tied up... in the WM on a slow spin....

the pillow case stops and damage to the rope... the WM can pull the rope to bits / core out of the middle.

make sure the Mrs is out first.... it can make a right clonking noise !

 

[saltylegs]

cleaning ropes

please check that all ends are securely whipped before putting into the WM even if they are in a pillow case or they will come out looking like a fox's brush

 

[Fantasie 19]

Mate of mine at work is a rock climber and swears by some stuff called Techwash for cleaning his ropes... this is it.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4

...based on his advice I've just bought a bottle (from Millets) and hope to try it out in earnest in the next few weeks...

 

[saltylegs]

clean ropes

before putting them in the WM even if in a pillow case make sure that all ends are securley whipped or you will end up with what looks like a load of fox tails.

 

[Leighb]

I agree WM does a good job, take care not to overload as ropes are much denser than clothing and it is easy to underestimate the weight. I always put them in an old sailbag which reduces, but never eliminates, the tangling.

This also stops any shackles etc contacting the inside of the drum.

Done it for many years AFAIK has not harmed either the WM or the ropes.

 

[trapezeartist]

All my ropes were very green and manky due to sitting for a long time doing nothing close to trees. First attempt in a pillowcase was not all that successful. Second attempt, I started with a soak in mould killer in the bath, followed by the washing machine (sans pillowcase). I didn't use the spin as I assumed that it would be impossible to balance up the load.

Result: ropes like new. SWMBO so pleased with the ropes she has forgiven me for using the washing machine.

 

[Gwylan]

gentle synthetic wash [40c] , not too much rope at a time, no rinse stuff, slow spin hang up in the garage to dry completely

 

[Jim W.]

clean ropes

I used a small pressure washer with great results. It would help to have a v block to hold them. a second person helping by slowly pulling them along works well as long as you do not spray them with the water

 

[sailorman]

gentle synthetic wash [40c] , not too much rope at a time, no rinse stuff, slow spin hang up in the garage to dry completely

1000 rpm works 4 me

 

[AIDY]

don't forget to iron afterwards

 

[sailorman]

don't forget to iron afterwards

Wot Temp

 

[Vara]

Mate of mine at work is a rock climber and swears by some stuff called Techwash for cleaning his ropes... this is it.

http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/productdetail.php?productid=4

...based on his advice I've just bought a bottle (from Millets) and hope to try it out in earnest in the next few weeks...

Techwash is a brilliant product for materials which will then be subjected to proofing or have a membrane ( ie goretex).

But I would suggest that it is expensive overkill for rope.

Any mild detergent,Dreft for example will do the job at a quarter of the price.

Low temp 30/40, rope less than 5 mill in bag/pillowcase to stop binding in seal (T-Shirt),sock on shackles etc. Loosely coil rope secure with at least 4 cable ties, wait till SWMBO is out and off you go.

Have been told that fabric conditioner is a no-no, but many people use it with no apparent probs.

 

[AIDY]

dunno... just set my steam iron to delicate