Washing halyards

[pessimist]

Moving to our winter berth shortly when we will have access to power and water (hot if necessary). Our exposed halyards are filthy thanks to the Dartmouth steam railway but the portion inside the mast is fine. As I'm a lazy b*gger I'm wondering about washing them in situ rather than unreeving and mousing. Anyone tried this and, if so, what did you use? I'm thinking plastic dustbin, sink plunger and detergent. But what detergent? Any ideas/advice?

 

[MoodySabre]

I'd use a non-bio detergent. Emptying a bin of soapy water other than overboard might be a challenge. Nothing ventured etc. If it works great but if it doesn't then do the other thing.

 

[AndrewB]

I watched a nearby charter company cleaning halyards today. After soaking on deck in warm water and detergent, they blasted them clean with a high-pressure hose. Made them look a lot better, if nothing else.

 

[johnalison]

Washing will help, but treatment with a fungicide or something like Patio Magic may also be necessary, and will delay deterioration before the next wash.

 

[Malish]

A recent thread recommended finishing with one of the Nikwax wash in waterproofing products to reduce water uptake when in use

 

[richardbayle]

I stick mine in a net and use the washing machine! Use plenty of softener and air dry thoroughly. Do the same for my sheets. If your home machine is too small, local launderomat or whatever they are called these days
Seems to work and SWMBO says sheets much softer on her hands

 

[Hydrozoan]

I notice that you think the steam railway a major source of the dirt, in which case a first wash with a detergent designed to deal with hydrocarbon deposits (such as Autoglym's Engine and Machine cleaner, or a traffic film remover) may help - though a second treatment with a fungicide as above may also be appropriate.

 

[KAM]

Washing with a high pressure will cut the fibres and destroy the rope. If you try using a washing machine I've found that even very small defects are magnified resulting in the halyard becoming unusable. I've found a bucket with a mixture of washing up liquid and bleach and a pan scrubber works pretty well. Just soak for a bit then run the halyard through the pan scrubber. The bleach will kill off any green mould and help to prevent regrowth.

 

[Wansworth]

Cold waterin a bucket with detergent jiggled aboutandleaveto soak

 

[DoubleEnder]

Man up, mouse them, stick them in the washing machine.

 

[ashtead]

Try using hot water and dishwasher tablets and wash off in marina showers?You will find standard deck cleaner brushed on if required helps first .

 

[Praxinoscope]

Man up, mouse them, stick them in the washing machine.

Just make sure SWMBO is not around when you do. Or do what I do, at the end of each season I mouse them up, use the kitchen sink, give them a good hand wash in pure soap flakes, rinse thoroughly and hang up to dry. Store them in the dry over the winter and they’ll be as good as new next season.
The running rigging on my last boat was coming on for 15 years old, yet apart from some colour fading on the sections that are always outside the mast, they handled and looked almost new.
Will do the same on my new boat.

 

[pessimist]

As ever, some useful suggestions. Thanks all.

 

[Poignard]

Man up, mouse them, stick them in the washing machine.

That's what I do, in a pillow case. The first time I did it I didn't use a pillowcase and the halyards came out with the sheaths a bit frayed.

 

[laika]

I had a go at cleaning my furling line in-situ by soaking it in a container of water with washing powder for a couple of days and agitating every so often. It was certainly better than nothing but not nearly as good as removing it, putting it in a pillow case and putting it in a washing machine.