Stemar
Well-known member
OP may not need a new washing machine afterwards, but he may need a new wife ...
How to remove diesel from rope
- Thread starter daibachsail
- Start date
Canopy Locked
Well-known member
Go to a pet store and buy (can't remember the exact name) spray bottle of urine / stain remover - this has active ensymes in it. I can't say it'll work for the ropes but I can say that when we had a leaking boiler (heating oil) in one of our holiday cottages, after we'd mopped we liberally sprayed this stuff and it definitely had an effect in that by day 2 there was barely any diesel smell. Worth a shot IMO
Mister E
Well-known member
Take the ropes to your beautiful launderette.
Moodysailor
Well-known member
No suggestions from me, just a few tales from my time as a marine engineer. I've been unlucky enough to have had a few soakings of diesel over the years, and once had to use the t-shirt I was wearing to bleed an engine whilst stuck off Miami so that we could get ashore in order to make a flight! (that's a story... ? )
Unfortunately, in all these cases where I've had more than just a small amount on me, it's never come out and the clothes were ditched. I also, have not been allowed use of the mashing machine in those cases!
Unfortunately, in all these cases where I've had more than just a small amount on me, it's never come out and the clothes were ditched. I also, have not been allowed use of the mashing machine in those cases!
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
Goodness me. It seems a few of us have ineffective washing machine / soap combinations. I certainly have had no such problems.
Certainly dont use a laundrette unless you know for sure that their 40C setting is accurate and working and their churn is vigorous not violent. I have ruined a few shirts like that when I lived in a maisonette without washing machine. Excess temperature might damage ropes.
Certainly dont use a laundrette unless you know for sure that their 40C setting is accurate and working and their churn is vigorous not violent. I have ruined a few shirts like that when I lived in a maisonette without washing machine. Excess temperature might damage ropes.
Moodysailor
Well-known member
Everyone's experience varies. You may also consider that some understand just how tenacious diesel is, speaking for myself I know that it will be impossible to remove from the WM internals so just can't be bothered with the potential risk. You are happy with your choice, let other be with theirs.
Stemar
Well-known member
I've had some success using a biological cleaner, which has bacteria that eat oil and other organic nasties. I believe stuff for taking pet pee out of carpets is similar and available from pet shops
jwilson
Well-known member
Screwfix degreaser is cheap for 5 litres concentrate and pretty good for lots of jobs.....
oldmanofthehills
Well-known member
I guess my involvement was getting fuel spillage and traces out of climbing ropes, as that can cause fatal damage in time. The smell of the rope afterwards a major concern
Daydream believer
Well-known member
I once contacted, them but they are a commercial outfit & understandably only interested in supplying in commercial amounts
PetiteFleur
Well-known member
I had to clean the bilges of my boat after I bought it at a good price. Used lots of Bilgex with boiling water poured in and stirred vigorously with a brush. Took about 3 sessions, all the soaked timber had to be replaced and the Ply floor boards scrubbed with hot water & detergent, sand papered and varnished.
mjcoon
Well-known member
Not saying this approach would work in this case, but... Years ago I wanted a couple of micro-miniature switches that are normally supplied in reels of thousands for automatic machine assembly. No use to me! But I talked them into supplying a few "samples" for free, which bypassed the normal constraints!
thinwater
Well-known member
Exactly. Just pre-wash it first. We all believe mechanics throw their clothes away every day?
Of course, the rope will still smell some for a long while. Leave it on-deck.
Moodysailor
Well-known member
That's why they wear overalls. Those are cleaned commercially using machines, temperatures and detergents you wouldn't or couldn't use at home.
I have had to throw away overalls, as well as plenty of clothes over the years due to being soaked in diesel. It comes with the territory if you are in the game long enough - most owners don't like it when you step on board with that aroma.
Stemar
Well-known member
I had a diesel leak on Jissel that took me an age to find, resulting in a stench from the bilges that had to be smelt to be believed. I tried everything to get rid of it, and was eventually recommended this stuff Bio Clean | Bio Technics
A good dose left to slosh around in the bulges got rid of it, and I would expect it to do the same for ropes left to soak.
A good dose left to slosh around in the bulges got rid of it, and I would expect it to do the same for ropes left to soak.
Seashoreman
Well-known member
Professional Strength Cat Urine Destroyer to Rid Your Home of The Smell of cat Urine and Prevent Future Territory Marking : Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
This sort of thing is very effective in getting rid of diesel/oil smells in the bilge. I would think it worth a try.
daibachsail
Member
Any suggestion as to how to apply the degreaser onto 35 metres of rope?
Thanks
Momac
Well-known member
I suggest spray it on the rope targeting the bits with diesel on and work in by hand (wear gloves) . Then put the rope or the parts that are diesel soaked in a suitable container such as a dog bath or large bucket and add water and leave it to soak . Agitating the rope in the water and repeat treatment may well be required .
Worth a try but if you have managed to soak an entire 35metres of rope in diesel it would probably be easier to buy a new rope.
lustyd
Well-known member
Out of interest, is the OP now considering how to remove rope from diesel? New rope is pretty easy to come by 