Washing ropes

[Sailfree]

Done a quick search but lots of things come up and none answer the basic questions.

Ordered a mesh washing bag for washing machine as mentioned in previous posts.

Do you use vanish , a bio powder or a non bio powder?

Do you use comfort fabric softener?

Will ropes end up with hernias or can this be avoided anyway.

Ropes are not too bad just one years use salt spray etc do you soak first or do a prewash or a rinse?

 

[Sandy]

I use a bio power on a VERY low temperature setting, no prewash and a good rinse. A HUGE no to fabric softener.

I popped everything with a metal end into an old pillow and tied the end just to protect the door.


Ensure that the Guardian of the Washing Machine is out when you do it.

 

[Tranona]

You might want to soak them first in a Vanish solution if they are particularly green. Bio powder and cool wash. I (or my laundry assistant) don't bother with softener. Never bothered with putting them in a bag, although if there is any attached hardware tie that in a padded sock.

Ropes will only get hernias if they are knackered - and they will be clean and knackered! Braid ropes are pretty robust and washing good ropes is not going to do any harm. However dirt and salt can hide defects so better to discover them at this point than in use.

 

[Rafiki]

Non Bio powder and at 40 degrees - appears to do the ropes no harm. I treat them this way each year. They don't go in a bag or anything, but not more than two at a time or maybe two large ones and a small one, otherwise sorting out the cat's cradle that arises takes too long.

Regards

 

[Minchsailor]

Most yacht ropes are polyester - aka Telyrene. I use normal laundry tabs, 30 deg wash. As I do the sheets and most of the mooring warps every year they are never very dirty.

Can't see any harm in using fabric conditioner, but can't see much point.

+1 for socks for the shackles.

 

[DannyB]

One of my mooring lines was slightly frayed and I decided to wash it before cutting off the frayed end and splicing a new end on it. Bad idea, the frayed bit unraveled and I ended up with a huge ball of wool. Total loss, I should have taped up the frayed bit before washing it. I had to clean out the machine filter as well.

 

[duncan99210]

For well grotty ropes I use a two stage process. First, get a large tub, check ropes will comfortably fit in tub, put in a healthy helping of Vanish and top up with warm water (helps Vanish dissolve). Agitate ropes and leave to stand for a couple of days. Drain off water. Then machine wash when SWMBO is out for the evening, using whatever the Domestic Goddess uses for washing. Use a sock over any hard fittings so as to avoid damage to machine. Remove ropes from machine, hank up and hang out to dry. Look innocent when SWMBO returns, especially if she questions you on the topic of the 'no ropes in the machine' policy......

 

[sailorman]

Done a quick search but lots of things come up and none answer the basic questions.

Ordered a mesh washing bag for washing machine as mentioned in previous posts.

Do you use vanish , a bio powder or a non bio powder?

Do you use comfort fabric softener?

Will ropes end up with hernias or can this be avoided anyway.

Ropes are not too bad just one years use salt spray etc do you soak first or do a prewash or a rinse?

I just bung em in with what ever powder is available ( normally non bio) + softener on 40 deg & about 1k spin.
then therapeutically untangle after, jobs done

 

[Fimacca]

+1 sailorman. machine has a nice 15 min wash on low revs, all sorted.

 

[jonjo]

I have no worries about cleaning minor control ropes where the diameter is dictated by the need for comfortable handling by human hands rather than ultimate safe working load.

Yes to a two-stage soak to get most of the green stuff off. 30 degree 40 minute deleicate cycle.

Not sure I would machine wash halyards that I might be trusting my life to up a mast or use something as strong as Vanish. I have no scientific basis for this concern, just caution.

The need for a net bag increases with smaller rope diameters.

 

[Avocet]

Has anyone tried soaking a rope in something like Patio Magic before washing? Boat is in fresh water and some of mine are a bit green.

 

[duncan99210]

One of the reasons Vanish is such a successful product is that it attacks the dirt, not the fibres of the material it is cleaning. It's designed to prevent damage to the polymers used in much more delicate fabrics than those used in the ropes used on boats. I have no hesitation in using it to clean all and any ropes on board.

 

[Tranona]

Has anyone tried soaking a rope in something like Patio Magic before washing? Boat is in fresh water and some of mine are a bit green.

The method described by most here works and will shift your green easily. Can't see any benefit in using Patio Magic over Vanish which is intended for fabrics.

 

[BlueChip]

I've ruined many ropes over the years by washing them, this year when SWMBO was out I thought I'd try a gentler approach and washed them in the dishwasher. I flaked them out on the trays and then in a eco wash. They came up a treat with no damage to the ropes.

To answer another question my mainsheet was very green and I dipped it in a patio magic look-alike. Next time I came down to the boat the mainsheet was like new with all the green gone.

 

[NickRobinson]

I have some static (low stretch) nylon ropes recycled from my caving.
They are undamaged and good for general 'extra' boat duties, rafting out, kedging, even towing.
I've washed them but they look like heavy smoker's ropes and stiff like cardboard.
No life critical use planned, how can I soften them?

 

[Yngmar]

As mentioned in the previous thread, updated with some things I forgot to mention there:

This is how I do it:

* Using a mesh bag, which unlike a pillowcase doesn't keep the dirt inside.
* Daisy-chain the rope, then tie the ends together before stuffing it in the mesh bag. This reduces tangle.
* Standard cycle of my washing machine (warm), but with half rpm spin (600 instead of 1200). Comes out barely moist (so definitely doesn't need more spin).
* Ecover Zero detergent in appropriate measure for the load (it is mild, bleach free and was already in the house).
* Make sure your rope ends are whipped and/or heat sealed.
* If you have any spliced on shackles you can't remove, stuff them into a thick, double folded sock or two, then zip tie the socks tightly around the shackle, cut the zip tie and melt/sand the end so it has no sharp edge.

Absolutely avoid (chlorine) bleach, any abrasive powders, fabric softeners and the dryer.

This works well, my green, stiff ropes come out clean and flexible and with no added wear. Then comes the inspection and repair (where needed).

(The first rope I pre-soaked in the bathtub over night, but it turns out this wasn't necessary.)

 

[LittleSister]

My approach. Seems to work for me. - Keep the load smallish for the machine. Goes in loose (no bag). Protect machine from any shackles (e.g. wrap in sock). First give them a good rinse cycle and drain, to get rid of the worst of the salt and any loose dirt before washing. I then wash them with whatever ordinary washing powder/gel/tabs/liquid is to hand, long wash at 30 degrees. Have sometimes used softener, sometimes not (and still undecided) -probably makes little difference. Short slow spin entirely adequate.

 

[Gwylan]

Done a quick search but lots of things come up and none answer the basic questions.

Ordered a mesh washing bag for washing machine as mentioned in previous posts.

Do you use vanish , a bio powder or a non bio powder?

Do you use comfort fabric softener?

Will ropes end up with hernias or can this be avoided anyway.

Ropes are not too bad just one years use salt spray etc do you soak first or do a prewash or a rinse?

For unrelated reasons we have a new Samsung washing machine. This boasts a 'bubble soak cycle'

When the C-i-C was absent I decided to experiments with murky mooring lines. The results were amazing - I was rumbled when the gleaming lines were found hanging up to dry in the garage.

Had to fess up or deal with the accusation that I had bought new lines in contravention of agree local purchasing policy.

The result was that in the interest of economy I was directed to clean as many lines as I could reasonably remove from the boat.

Also experimented with the 'deodorisation' programme. Great at refreshing pillows and sleeping bags, down jackets too!

 

[gregcope]

For unrelated reasons we have a new Samsung washing machine. This boasts a 'bubble soak cycle'

When the C-i-C was absent I decided to experiments with murky mooring lines. The results were amazing - I was rumbled when the gleaming lines were found hanging up to dry in the garage.

Had to fess up or deal with the accusation that I had bought new lines in contravention of agree local purchasing policy.

The result was that in the interest of economy I was directed to clean as many lines as I could reasonably remove from the boat.

Also experimented with the 'deodorisation' programme. Great at refreshing pillows and sleeping bags, down jackets too!

What model was it?

We need a new washing machine. Ours has become very loud!

Reviews/features like this as great reference info for that purchasing decision!

I am lucky. We wash lines in with the general washing (40deg colour). Not too many at once due to the tangle. Wrap any metal shakles in socks.

 

[Amulet]

Here's a question... Has anyone actually tested ropes that have been washed inconsiderately? Most of the ropes on my boat are sized for decent handling rather than strength, and their breaking strength is typically 5 or 10 times what they are subjected to. I have never succeeded in breaking a rope simply by pulling it too hard. (Chafe is another matter.) I'd be pretty surprised if a domestic washing machine with normal domestic cleaning products could get even close to rendering them dangerous in use.

Others may spec things nearer the limit.

I wash them pretty inconsiderately. Stick them in a tub and pressure wash them with whatever detergent I have to hand. They come clean and fluff up a bit - smooth out again in use. Not had one break - ever.

Health and safety will probably lock me up for admitting this.

I'd be interested in comments from those who have succeeded in snapping ropes - by pulling rather than chafing.