The lines & ropes on my sailboat are getting dirty - primarily from algae, but also from airborne fall out comprised of railroad dust as well as from dust blown in from a nearby sulfur pile. Are there any guidelines for cleaning nylon & polyester ropes without compromising their strength or lifespan? Are there any soaps or cleaners that can be recommended? Thanks Bruce
Cleaning lines & ropes
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woolite
put them in a mesh bag, drop in washing machine ,wash them on delicate with some woolite. Use Cold Water!!!
put them in a mesh bag, drop in washing machine ,wash them on delicate with some woolite. Use Cold Water!!!
I fill a large trash can with water and dump in a cupful
of laundry detergent and then the ropes and slosh them around a bit every day for a week or two, dump the water and rince. Then haul the ropes out ant let them dry. When they are dry I pull them over a post several times to soften them up and put them back in service.
of laundry detergent and then the ropes and slosh them around a bit every day for a week or two, dump the water and rince. Then haul the ropes out ant let them dry. When they are dry I pull them over a post several times to soften them up and put them back in service.
washing machine
as mentioned before. Mesh bag or large pillow case. I use regular liquid detergent if really dirty. My braided lines come out very clean and soft. Air dry the lines.
as mentioned before. Mesh bag or large pillow case. I use regular liquid detergent if really dirty. My braided lines come out very clean and soft. Air dry the lines.
Clean lines and pliables lines
While everyone is saying the same thing about how to clean your lines, don't forget that you also want them to regain some of their pliability. To do this, after washing, place them in a large bucket or trash can along with a gallon of store brand fabric softener. Let them sit in there overnight and then rinse with clean water and hang out to dry. It will be just like you have new lines. I do this every winter and this way I can start the new season looking like I just replaced my lines.
While everyone is saying the same thing about how to clean your lines, don't forget that you also want them to regain some of their pliability. To do this, after washing, place them in a large bucket or trash can along with a gallon of store brand fabric softener. Let them sit in there overnight and then rinse with clean water and hang out to dry. It will be just like you have new lines. I do this every winter and this way I can start the new season looking like I just replaced my lines.
I've had great luck
cleaning docklines and other lines using a 1500 psi powerwasher. I lay the lines out in long lazy loops on my driveway or other paved surface, set the wand nozzle to a medium spray, and just walk back and forth sprintzing the lines using about a 45-deg angle. This blows all the algae off and all the crud from inside the lines. In the end, the lines are both clean and much softer. I have never detected any damage to the lines doing this.
cleaning docklines and other lines using a 1500 psi powerwasher. I lay the lines out in long lazy loops on my driveway or other paved surface, set the wand nozzle to a medium spray, and just walk back and forth sprintzing the lines using about a 45-deg angle. This blows all the algae off and all the crud from inside the lines. In the end, the lines are both clean and much softer. I have never detected any damage to the lines doing this.
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