Removing diesel from rope

[daibachsail]

Due to a tank leakage I have got diesel on some ropes. I can not find any advice on how to remove this, can you help?
Or do I need to throw it away?

 

[RichardS]

Wait till SWMBO is not looking then chuck it it the washing machine with the usual dose of washing powder.

Next time she uses the machine and asks "Why does this smell of diesel" keep a very very low profile.

(alternatively make an appointment with Relate )

Richard

 

[prv]

It's going to need some kind of detergent. I'd probably start by swilling it about in a tub with hot water and Flash or Cillit Bang, might progress to the washing machine after that if required.

I've heard it said that detergents with citrus oils in are particularly good against the smell of diesel.

Pete

 

[Yngmar]

Water rinse-able degreaser, e.g. Jizer. Also good for getting grease stains out of sails

 

[awol]

Tow them behind the boat for a while - will get most of the diesel out to the detriment of the environment.

 

[lw395]

I'd get one of those big plastic tubs from Tesco and wash them in warm water and either normal washing powder or maybe fairy liquid.

 

[VicS]

Wait till SWMBO is not looking then chuck it it the washing machine with the usual dose of washing powder.


Richard

If he does that he can expect his clothes to be the next load in the machine !

 

[prv]

If he does that he can expect his clothes to be the next load in the machine !

That's why I suggested a tub first to get most of it out

Pete

 

[daibachsail]

Tried that, does not really work

 

[daibachsail]

Tried that, but not with citrus oils, never heard of them, what are they?

 

[daibachsail]

NEVER!!
Only if I want our clothes to all smell of diesel until I buy a new washing machine!!
I coiujld replace all the ropes on the boat for that price!

 

[RAI]

I would use Gunk followed by a water soak, then a washing detergent soak, then a rinse soak and dry.

 

[Minchsailor]

Why not bilge cleaner in a tub - probably not the best of ideas to use the washing machine for this.

 

[sarabande]

try using bio cleaner from Oiltechnics.com. Leave in a bucket of warm water for a few hours: bacteria eat the oil.

http://oiltechnics.co.uk/Oil_Stains/index.html


Also excellent for bilge cleaning.

 

[lw395]

Tried that, does not really work

You may need to do it a couple of times, with plenty of detergent. Rope will absorb a lot of diesel. Leave it to soak.

 

[lw395]

NEVER!!
Only if I want our clothes to all smell of diesel until I buy a new washing machine!!
I coiujld replace all the ropes on the boat for that price!

The price of a washing machine wouldn't do some dinghies for a complete re-string!

 

[lw395]

Nobody going to sggest the Laundrette?

 

[Guise]

Watching with interest as a previous owner stored a spare diesel can in the anchor locker, on top of the rope. The can leaked and we have a diesel impregnated rope. I don't want to imagine the slick if we ever need to use the rope (which is attached to 50m of chain). We had planned a large tub of hot water and loads of detergent, the washing machine is allowed for halliards but never, never diesel.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I haven't tried it, but I have heard that towing them for an hour or two will clean ropes of practically anything. Obviously only do one or two at a time!

 

[lw395]

I haven't tried it, but I have heard that towing them for an hour or two will clean ropes of practically anything. Obviously only do one or two at a time!

I have tried it, after some of our warps got wet in a certain fishing harbour. It works fairly well. But then you need to rinse all the salt out.