Cleaning Ropes

Put them in a pillowcase tie the open end bung them in the washing machine with some detergent ..........hey presto.... clean rope!
 
Totally agree, but this year I am going to put in the washing machine 2 concrete blocks just to really piss off my wife.
 
Washing Machine? My washing is done by hand. When you see this pic of my home (only for a couple of years or so) you will understand why I don't have a washing machine. I suppose I could go down a launderette but I loathe them intensely (so Eastender/Coronation Streetish)

But thanks for the ideas (maybe try to do it in situ).

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Totally agree, but this year I am going to put in the washing machine 2 concrete blocks just to really piss off my wife. [/quote


Your washingmachine will already have concrete blocks in it just show them to her. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Talk about washing machines, I have just repaired ours, even though it was asigned to be dumped yesterday, but is now working perfectly again.
Last week it started pouring out water all over the floor when it was time to start its spin cycle,(1400 rpm) thought the programer was nackered. took the machine out so as to fit in the new machine swmbo bought on sat and I picked up yesterday morning, fitted it in last night, ran it up, and hey presto, water pouring out from underneath, (not plumbing) returned it for a refund this morning, then operated on the old one, in which I found an entire girls sock in the filter bit underneath along with £3.20, but must admit the sock was in about 1000 peices, how it got in there beats me.
So swmbo is very pleased I saved her ££££ on a new machine, and I was the beneficary of the £3.50 laundered dosh /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
OH and the lassie wasent pleased about her sock /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
no washing machine, no problem. ropes into large cleaned! tile cement tub, add water n soap powder, reseal lid, put in back of car or out of way on boat, go for motor or sail, vibration agitates water/soap mix and dirt off, change water if not yet clean, redo until happy with result. rinses the same, slow but cheap.
Same principle as one of those rotating hand washing machine in chandlers, not so dear.
Works on ordinary clothes too- used to do the kids nappies etc like that travelling about. can do with bucket in cockpit if you like, but messy.
 
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Any ideas as to the best way to get rid of this green?


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You could try dipping them in salt water.

Alan
 
I use the boat washing machine method, but have net bags, liberated from the rig laundry, perfect results and no crashing and banging! Or use the marina washing machine!! Bigger ropes in there! Even washed my bimini in those!
 
I've just done this and used a washing machine with some bog standard washing powder and fabric softener. Works very well although very heavy soiling doesn't come off.
 
Put ropes into a backet with washing powder for 24 hours and then change water and put fabric softener this time for another 5-6 hours. They will not become as clean as using a washing machine but both ropes and wife will be OK!!!
 
For green ropes, I soak in Bio-tex for 24hours before washing. The green will be algae, so BIO-tex will eat it! If washing in your washing machine, don't forget the fabric softener, it makes a huge difference to the useability of the clean ropes.
 
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Won't the pillowcase stop the dirt getting away? OK, hard eyes and shackles clatter a bit if you put them in loose but no harm done.

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Oh no, it does... We forgot this once and ended up with a washing machine that still worked, but had a very interesting drum surface.
 
Re: Cleaning Ropes A WARNING on the type of detergent to be used

If your ropes are nylon based then do NOT use standard detergent as it contains bleach. Bleach and nylon/nylon derivitives = fibre brittleness = rope failure.

Use something like 'Persil Colour' after pre-soaking as outlined by Searush.

If you are going to use a washing machine then you MUST use the pillowcase technique otherwise the rope stands WILL pop though the braid causing ruckles = a useless rope (They've got a name ... but I can't remember it!)
 
Re: Cleaning Ropes A WARNING on the type of detergent to be used

[ QUOTE ]
If your ropes are nylon based then do NOT use standard detergent as it contains bleach. Bleach and nylon/nylon derivitives = fibre brittleness = rope failure.

Use something like 'Persil Colour' after pre-soaking as outlined by Searush.

If you are going to use a washing machine then you MUST use the pillowcase technique otherwise the rope stands WILL pop though the braid causing ruckles = a useless rope (They've got a name ... but I can't remember it!)

[/ QUOTE ]Not sure about the MUST use a pillowcase. I have never used one and never had a problem with ropes putting their cores through the casing as described. Perhaps I am just lucky, but I've been doing it this way for years so perhaps I am very lucky?

I suppose some mooring lines migt be Nylon based, but ours are all sized for ease of handling rather than the loads they are likely to be put under. I have used whatever powder we happen to have (ususally Bold three in one or whatever its called?) and again I am not aware of any problems with lines becoming britle. In fact they always come out clean and soft to the touch. The tangles are easy to sort out, but SWMBO has banned me from the new washing machine as she never did like the wire spliced to braidline going in and making a racket in the drum.
 
Re: Cleaning Ropes A WARNING on the type of detergent to be used

Googled this topic a couple of years ago and ended up on a bondage site.....there is no limit to man's imagination.
 
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