Washing ropes.

[Frogmogman]

I’ve just been putting my boat to bed for the winter, and have brought home the mainsheet, Genoa sheets and barberhauler lines for a wash.

Any of you have any tips on what are the best washing machine settings etc ? (I’m already aware of the advice to do this when my wife is out of the house). Or am I best off just doing it in a bucket.

 

[Stingo]

On the Delicates cycle. No washing powder/detergent, only a small amount of fabric softner. DO NOT use the spin cycle.

 

[capnsensible]

Helps if you put them inside an old pillowcase.

 

[Sandy]

Use BIO washing powder. I don't like to put them in a pillowcase as when they come out I can spent time unravelling and inspecting the lines.

 

[Praxinoscope]

It had been suggested previously on this forum that with braid on braid the action of the washing machine can loosen the inner core.
I just use a bucket, with pure soap flakes, then a couple of rinses and hang up to dry, after which stored in string bags so there is a good air flow around them until,the next season.
Have followed this procedure on my halyards for years, they obviously don’t look brand new but after 15 years they are still perfectly serviceable.

 

[zoidberg]

Helps if you put them inside an old pillowcase.

If you don't have an old pillowcase, use a new one.
Then you'll have an old one for next time.

Oh, and change/clean the washing-machine filter before The Wife gets home.
( ask me how I know )

 

[ridgy]

On the Delicates cycle. No washing powder/detergent, only a small amount of fabric softner. DO NOT use the spin cycle.

I've always used detergent and the spin cycle and the ropes seem fine though they get pretty tangled.

 

[Martin_J]

Like Praxinoscope - I've only ever used pure soap flakes on them in the washing machine.

Tbh, I wouldn't put fabric softener anywhere near them. Isn't it fabric softener that ends up making towels feel hard and rough to the touch? Might not affect rope but bearing in mind what it's said to do to towels I'll stick with pure soap.

Just rinsing in a bucket of water probably removes a lot of salt.

 

[Kwik Decision]

I've always used detergent and the spin cycle and the ropes seem fine though they get pretty tangled.

I agree. I also cut off any shackles before cleaning, and tie them back on afterwards, which has the effect of moving the wear points. I was fortunate that the previous owner over spec'd the length of most ropes on our boat.

 

[Daydream believer]

(I’m already aware of the advice to do this when my wife is out of the house). Or am I best off just doing it in a bucket.

Not the one you pee in I hope. There are limits

 

[capnsensible]

If you don't have an old pillowcase, use a new one.
Then you'll have an old one for next time.

Oh, and change/clean the washing-machine filter before The Wife gets home.
( ask me how I know )

To be honest, after a couple of tries 25 years ago, I haven't bothered since and the ropes seem to not care.

Still if it gives folks something to do on a dull winters day, suppose it doesn't matter.

 

[Birdseye]

I've always used detergent and the spin cycle and the ropes seem fine though they get pretty tangled.

So do I and been doing so for 40 years now. Untangling is a PITA but not found a way round it .

 

[Praxinoscope]

Washing the halyards at the end of the season keeps them soft and pliable, which they certainly aren’t when full of salt.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Without soap of some sort the ropes wont come that clean. I dont use soap on climbing ropes as that removes water repellent but they dont get nearly as green and mucky as boat ropes.

For either type removal of salt and grid is what gets the softness back and preserves rope life

I think loading ropes into pillow case helps a bit. Cool cycle and slow spin

 

[jac]

I have always used wool / handwash setting and and a washing powder for delicates. For very dirty stuff i will soak in a bucket for a day or two just to get the worst off before subjecting the washing machine to hard work!!!

 

[Daydream believer]

Why not use the local launderette for washing them. That does save some hassle with the wife. But one still needs the pillow case.

 

[Stemar]

It had been suggested previously on this forum that with braid on braid the action of the washing machine can loosen the inner core.

My feeling is that ropes in good condition survive pretty well. If they're worn, the outer casing may well not survive, but they were coming to the end of their life anyway.

 

[Kukri]

Can I add a question about washing high modulus ropes?

 

[IanCC]

We wash all ours every year. No pillowcase. Just daisychain them. Non bio washing powder low temp 30 min cycle, slow spin. Then an additional rinse. We do all our climbing ropes the same way. Have done for years. And we fall off a lot.

 

[blush2]

Bung them in a bucket with some diluted bleach for 24 hours then a rinse and spin.

I've got one of those bags for delicates to keep them under control. Oh, and it's my washing machine. No shackles allowed, it's not good for them