Washing Ropes

We have just washed all the main ropes - genoa sheets, main halyard, spinnaker halyard, storm jib halyard, main sheet, topping lift and pole up.
If a rope is really dirty, as some were this year, we put them in a bucket of bleach for a while, then the washing machine. We use fabric softener, but the ropes are left loose as I find untangling them later therapeutic:). I also switch off the spin cycle to avoid damage to the machine. They dry in a couple of days outside, at least in Spain:cool:
M.
 
NEVER EVER SUBJECT A ROPE TO BLEACH !!!!! unless drastically diluted to such level that you can safely put your hand in ...

Rope manufacturers specifically list such as Bleach and other 'chemicals' to avoid contact ... others are such as Paint Thinners ... Drain unblockers with caustic etc. etc. etc.
 
I've just been doing mine... prob five years since the last time! ?

First soak in large buckets/containers for 24hrs or longer with Biotex and hot water (speeds up the process) - incredible how much green slime comes out even after repeated rinsings!

Then wash in machine at 40deg (pre-wash then main cycle) with normal washing powder (I only have non-bio at home) and hang up to dry.

I put big ropes (e.g. halyards with hard-eyes etc) in an old pillow-case coiled but not strangled at the neck, plus a few shorter ropes in loose - it helps to mix colours and thicknesses when it comes to untangling... which in these times is a 'therapeutic' process!

My older ropes do not seem to come up as bright and clean as they used to, so might experiment with Napisan.

Finally, ropes which have big heavy blocks permanently attached (e.g. main-sheet) get the sock treatment over the offending articles secured with cable-ties.
 
Refueler said:
NEVER EVER SUBJECT A ROPE TO BLEACH !!!!! unless drastically diluted to such level that you can safely put your hand in ...

Rope manufacturers specifically list such as Bleach and other 'chemicals' to avoid contact ... others are such as Paint Thinners ... Drain unblockers with caustic etc. etc. etc.
Click to expand...
Yes, well diluted and I have done it a few times before. I will let you know if my very expensive carbon fibre spinnaker pole comes crashing down !
M.
 
See the thread on rope hernias - I stopped putting my lines in washing machines after suffering from such damage. When I talked to the chanlery about it they laughed and said that people washing ropes in washing machines were a good source of business ! They also advised me to measure the braid on braid I had washed and I found it was shorter by 1 metre !!
Now if I need to wash ropes I fill the wheelie bin, stir in bio washing powder and let it soak for 24 h with occaisonal agitation with an old deck brush. Another soak in just water and string it around the garden to dry.
 
Halo said:
See the thread on rope hernias - I stopped putting my lines in washing machines after suffering from such damage. When I talked to the chanlery about it they laughed and said that people washing ropes in washing machines were a good source of business ! They also advised me to measure the braid on braid I had washed and I found it was shorter by 1 metre !!
Now if I need to wash ropes I fill the wheelie bin, stir in bio washing powder and let it soak for 24 h with occaisonal agitation with an old deck brush. Another soak in just water and string it around the garden to dry.
Click to expand...

Been washing ropes in machine like many others for years ... and none have ever shrunk or suffered as a result ... except for when I clipped tie wraps and left jagged end ... that caught the outer braid on my jib sheets luckily near one end which basically is never under stress.

The trick is though - don't wash at high temp ... anything up to 40C and also you do not need cupfuls of powder ... a light sprinkling is all you need.
 
Refueler said:
I coil and then use plastic tie wraps .... I use common washing powder but only a very small amount ... maybe 1/10th the amount 'she' uses for general household washing.

I wash my ropes every year ......... and they are well into late second decade at least ... maybe third !

BUT with tie wraps - DO NOT snip the tails off ... they can catch and damage braided rope ..leaving the tails pointed inwards prevents that.

OR use flat tape tied round to keep the coils from tangling.

Forget pillow case ... all you get is a tangled mess to sort out ...

As to softener ... you do read some funny theories !! Softener does not break up fibres - it actually puts softened filler into the material replacing the hard wash powder fillers ..

Washing powder often does not actually remove all stain - what it does is use fillers and maskers to try cover up the stains .... its why if you use a non filler / masker powder - you end up with old stains back again and a harsh material ...
Click to expand...
How do you know what a "non filler powder" is compared to masker?
Are we talking clothes washing powders?
Been washing clothes for a few years I've never bought fillers and makers ????
 
TotOfRumTina said:
How do you know what a "non filler powder" is compared to masker?
Are we talking clothes washing powders?
Been washing clothes for a few years I've never bought fillers and makers ????
Click to expand...

The Washing Powder has the fillers and maskers in it ......

If you wash an item in pure wash powder - you need to buy something like Amways powder - you will see odd stains re-appear that were masked by general powders.
 
duncan99210 said:
Washing ropes, some rules.
1. Do not discuss the topic with the main operator of the washing machine. This will eventually result in a prohibition notice being issued.
2. Coil rope(s) and secure coil with cable ties. Good trick this, stops entertaining time untangling ropes. Put any hard fittings into socks/rags secured with more ties.
3. If you’ve failed to follow guidance under rule one and has a prohibition notice issued, suggest the machine operator that she has a night out with her mates (difficult at the moment but you know what I mean).
4. Whilst machine operator is out, ropes into machine, do on a cool wash with usual domestic detergent.
5. Remove ropes and take to shed to be hung up to dry out of sight of machine operator.
6. Secure shed to prevent discovery.
7. Buy large box of chocolates for machine operator after she discovers newly cleaned ropes in shed because you forgot to secure it properly and goes ballistic.
Anyhow, that’s how it usually goes in my world....
Click to expand...
No wonder they list you as a "well known member" you are totally bonkers I still have tears from laughing so much ???
Do they do pink cable ties
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Seastoke
Help needed , fresh water
2
Replies
20
Views
424
Fr J Hackett
Fr J Hackett
KevO
Falmouth Haven Laundry Facilities - Be careful!
Replies
3
Views
439
Dockhead
Dockhead
A_8
Water in DPH U-joint bellows – immediate problem?
Replies
3
Views
259
A_8
A_8
P
Raymarine E7 and 0183 ais input issues
Replies
4
Views
164
paris
P

Share this page

Top