Dodgers in the washing machine?

[frderek]

Boat laid up on the quay for the winter. Mast unstepped.

I'm taking the opportunity to machine-wash all the running rigging proir to inspecting them for wear and tear and seeing what needs renewing.

I've removed the dodgers to reduce windage.

Any reason why they (and the mainsail cover) can't be machine washed too? Any advice on temperature? re-proofing if necessary?

tia

Derek

 

[alahol2]

I do my (uncoated acrylic canvas) sprayhood, dodgers and mainsail cover in the washing machine every year. I normally use a 30deg wash with whatever powder/liquid comes out of the cupboard at the time. I only use the lowest spin speed (200?) in case it tries to tear the machine apart. Seems to work OK, I've not noticed any damage and I have never re-proofed them.

PS this all takes place whilst wife is at hairdressers which means she will be away for several hours.

 

[PetiteFleur]

Ropes I do in the washing machine(when wife is out for the day) but canvas work I do in the bath, warm water, detergent and just squeeze all over, scrubbing the dirty algae bits with a stiff brush, then rinsing and drying on the line. Seems to work well for me. Not reproofed them yet.

 

[wilkinsonsails]

Provided the wash isn't too aggressive and a cool one not a problem.But quite often the hot air drying in the dryer .makes acrylic covers shrink,and certainly no ironing !
So cool gentle wash,and air dry.

 

[langstonelayabout]

Use the bath. My dodgers were knackered after just the one wash, even at low temperatures...

 

[Rock Dodger]

Oh, come on chaps! Last weekend SWMBO came home from running an errand and the following conversation ensued.

SWMBO: "What's in the washing machine?"
ME: "A couple of halyards."
SWMBO: "Oh, when will they be finished as I need to do the bedspread."
ME: "Well, I need to do the anchor rode next."
SWMBO: "OK, I hope you put the halyard ends in an old pillow case."
ME: "Yes dear, I have, shall I put the kettle on?"

It's simple really, you just have to convince them how important the task is. :encouragement:

 

[Boathook]

Use the bath. My dodgers were knackered after just the one wash, even at low temperatures...

I had the same problem with my mainsail cover quite a few years ago. Now use the bath, luke warm water and a scrubbing brush. This year I have added fabsil universal cleaner. Be intresting to see whether this saves on reproofing.

 

[rob2]

I guess you guys don't wait until the whole lot is slimy and green - they need several washes then! I do all mine in the bath with soap powder, treating them like wool. Incidentally I would only use a soft brush to clean off the muck. A hard brush will seriously shorten the life of the stitching and can even break threads in the material, roughing up the surface which will quickly degrade further and certainly not be waterproof thereafter.

Just as an aside, during WWII pilots wore cotton suits, double skinned with such a tight worsted that they remained waterproof after ditching for a couple of hours!

Rob.