Washing spliced halyards

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Highndry

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There has been recent discussion about washing rope halyards and sheets in the washing machine. My main and fore halyards are rope spliced onto wire. Is it possible to give them the same treatment or will I damage the wire and/or machine?
 
You could do them in the machine, but put them in a pillow case and tie it shut. Probably be a good idea to wrap the wire seperately first in something which will absorb impacts. Most people recommend wrapping hard eyes and shackles in a sock before washing.

The greatest risk is to your marriage should anything go wrong, so it 's probably better to wash by hand in the bath - but don't scratch it!

Rob.
 
Even if the OC was out I wouldn't put wire in a washing machine, shackles and things protected with a sock at a push.

That's a job for the kiddies paddling pool in the back garden.
 
Notwithstanding other people replies and opinions, I have put wire spliced into rope halyards through the washing machine (no pillow cases) lots of times without any problem. It gets a bit noisy sometimes, and there have been a few raised eyebrows from SWMBO but the line and wire has survived perfectly. Washing in a machine seems to get them a lot cleaner than washing in the bath or paddling pool. It's probably my washing skills or lack of them?
 
Highndry said:
That's what I was hoping to hear. I'll put the wire in padded bags and secure with a cable tie to minimise rattling/banging. Many thanks all.
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Have washed ropes and lines a few times in a machine, but always in a wash bag (looks like a sting vest!) and never had any issues.
 
My solution was to develop a sailing wife and she puts the ropes and rope/wire halyards into the washing machine.
I try to avoid learning the washing programs although I did need to phone her once from the UK to Portugal.
 
I washed mine by hand in the shower tray last year. Wasn't very impressed with the results so put them through the machine. Much better.
 
John the kiwi said:
My nylon anchor warp gets stiffer and less pliable with age.
Would washing help that?
Fabric softener?

Any other suggestions?
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Pre-wash soak in a bucket of water to soften the dirt/salt then wash & fabric conditioner.

Or just bin it & get some nice new octoplait; thicker ropes never do as well as halyards in my experience.
 
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