washing ropes

M

Miker

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I shall shortly be washing my halyards etc in the household washing machine. Is there any reason why I should not also dry them in the tumble dryer?
 
Apart from the obvious in my case - because the wife would slaughter me!! Why do you feel the need to do so?

Having just washed all of our running rigging, and assuming yours is similarly synthetic braid on braid, they hold very little water and will happily dry naturally. I presume you don't feel the need to tumble dry them if it rains or they fall in the drink when they're in use! ;)
 
The tumble drier heat setting or faster drying time may not harm the rope but battering them around inside a drum might not be the best way to treat a rope.

At least when washing them in a washing machine the motion is damped by water which is also lubricating the strands. I would be inclined to hang them up in loose coils to drain off and then air dry them.
 
Yes, no need for tumble drier. Cool wash with a bio powder and fast spin (so my wife tells me) and hang up to dry on the airer.
 
Thanks everyone. Unanimous - no tumble drying. I've left them to dry naturally in the past but thought that a tumble dryer would enable me to do the job quicker.
 
My club had a talk on ropes from English Braids and the advise was categorically NOT to use a washing machine. Hand wash in a bucket or bath only, otherwise wear is seriously accelerated.
 
I had 3 machines running at once at the local launderette, the clanking of shackles on the glass attracted the staff.

I mumbled something about not fitting in my machine at home. The worst bit came when emptying the machines and the place was now quite busy, much attention received!
 
Iain C said:
My club had a talk on ropes from English Braids and the advise was categorically NOT to use a washing machine. Hand wash in a bucket or bath only, otherwise wear is seriously accelerated.
Click to expand...

Tried that last year,didnt seem to get them as nice and clean as the old washer.
 
If you don't want to do this at home, you can fill up your inflatable tender with soap and water and slosh them about in there. Not sure how this fits in with the hose pipe ban!
 
Iain C said:
My club had a talk on ropes from English Braids and the advise was categorically NOT to use a washing machine. Hand wash in a bucket or bath only, otherwise wear is seriously accelerated.
Click to expand...

If the wear is being accelerated then I'm suprised they don't recommend it...:D

Another one for wash, no spin.

When I acquired a previous boat the ropes were very green, pre-soaking for a few days didnt seem to help much. WM was by far the best.
 
this may not be that relevant but i decided to remove and wash my rigid green/grey jack-lines. some type of strapping/webbing material. i removed the hardware and washed them at 40 with a colour liquid which transformed them to a greenish blue colour and renewed the natural softness. not satisfied i tried again at 90 using oxyvanish plus washing liquid.

what came out was a beautiful iridescent blue strap which could pass as new. i threw them in the tumble dryer on the cool setting and absolutely no chaffing occurred.
in the absence of a horror story here, i think i will use the same process for my running rigging.
 
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