Cleaning mooring lines

[Tamar]

We (wife) just daisy-chain and throw in the washing machine with normal Costco soap powder.

It's a washing machine, designed to wash dirty things. I would love to know how washing ropes (without metal attachments) would damage it??

They are quite substantial ropes, it's a big boat.

 

[Poignard]

Deleted

 

[Daydream believer]

there should be a little booklet somewhere or post a picture of the control panel and we'll talk you through it ... less buttons than a chart plotter!

You are the sort who gives us "helpless" fellows a bad name-- "talk us through it" indeed -- disgusting idea
I suppose you would have us washing our cups up next

 

[Hoolie]

Years ago, in our caving days, a friend of mine used to take all his muddy gear to the launderette including his claggy old boots!
A few manky ropes aren't really in the same league ?

 

[Clancy Moped]

Take them to the car wash on a roof rack?

 

[Poignard]

Years ago, in our caving days, a friend of mine used to take all his muddy gear to the launderette including his claggy old boots!
A few manky ropes aren't really in the same league ?

When I was second engineer of a coaster I got caught by the manageress of a laundromat in Swansea washing 2 very dirty boiler suits.

I thought she was going to attack me!

 

[ghostlymoron]

A lot of launderettes have "no dirty overalls" signs so I guess mooring lines are OK.

 

[Never Grumble]

You are the sort who gives us "helpless" fellows a bad name-- "talk us through it" indeed -- disgusting idea
I suppose you would have us washing our cups up next

I could do a dishwasher tutorial if it would help

 

[RumPunch]

I have 'Denny O'Rafferty's' washng machine. If I break it, I fix it from the stash of spares in the shed. Wife's scared of the thing .........

 

[Humblebee]

Buy a large plastic storage box from the likes of Wilco. Fill it with cold water and cheap Tesco washing detergent. Leave ropes for two or three days in the box - then give them a really good rinse. Been doing every sheet, halyard, mooring rope on the boat for years this way. All ropes are clean, apart from odd mark, still soft, and do not appear to have deteriorated or lost any strength. But are given a really good rinse, following the box wash.

I agree with the method, would just add that on a similar thread, someone suggested using their wheelie type recycling bin, Saves buying a box=more lager tokens.

 

[Gwylan]

Clean best as possible, cover in patio magic, allow to dry for a good period and then hang outside for the rain to rinse and hopefully they will be clean. Allow to dry again and cover in patio magic, allow to dry and put away until required for use.
I read this on these forums a few? weeks ago. The second dose of PM helps keep the ropes clean for the next year.

Normally I use the washing machine with socks covering any metal bits ......

+1 best method we found. After the washing machine routine was rumbled .

 

[dansaskip]

I don't even know how to open the door to the thing

Its no wonder she won't let you use it.

 

[Tamar]

Its no wonder she won't let you use it.

Its ironic really because I installed the kitchen about two years ago with all these new fangled integrated appliances, I guess I could work it out. But it has 3 different places for the powder ?

 

[Poignard]

Its ironic really because I installed the kitchen about two years ago with all these new fangled integrated appliances, I guess I could work it out. But it has 3 different places for the powder ?

Yes, that would defeat me but The Old Guvnor has discovered these wonderful capsule things containing detergent that you chuck in with the clothes, so no need for any powder.

But be careful to read the instructions. The first time I used them was when she went off on holiday leaving me to fend for myself as best I could. I had no idea how many to use so, as I used to do with powder, I chucked a handful in.

 

[jwilson]

Pressure washers get the gunge off, hypochlorite for the green stuff

Hypochlorite aka bleach OK for polyester and polypropylene, don't use on nylon.

 

[West Coast]

I too am banned from using our washing machine.

I use these outside launderettes - pitch up later evening when its quiet, done in an hour

 

[pandos]

I don't even know how to open the door to the thing

I am sure if you ask her nicely she will be happy to show you....but be careful,could become a job for life...

Mine go in the machine tea towel tie wrapped around the metal bits

 

[jdc]

For mooring lines I don't bother with a washing machine as they don't get that dirty, just green. To combat this I use patio-magic diluted 1:9 with water, soak the lines in it for 30 mins or so then hang up to dry. It's only a mooring line, so if too manky it's time to replace imho.

For sheets and halyards, our local rigger has a device which is a block of brass through which they pull the rope. It has three jets attached to a pressure washer which give an all-round spray. That does an excellent job with almost no effort.