Cleaning Lines

[seadaddler]

My boat has been sitting on the hard since July which was suppose to be a new bottom job but than surgery so any way do to a raining season here in Florida I got that green cover in some spots.
Some of the lines are also green and wondering what to do to clean them up,can I soak them in a bucket with some solution of sort to clean them with out harming them.
Nick

 

[kappykaplan]

Nick, a soak in a weak solution of bleach should do the trick. Oxyclean might work, too.

 

[Stu Jackson]

A bucket with soap in it, or put 'em in pillowcases in your washing machine, cold water wash, hang out to dry.

 

[joker460]

The July 2011 Issue of Practical Sailor has a very good test on cleaning ropes.

One item that did stand out is, that they don't recommend using Bleach even in a 16:1 dilution. Repeatly using bleach to clean can reduce rope strength by up to 18%.

They also said (if using a washing machine) be sure to whip the ends of the rope or melt and fuse all rope ends to prevent them from coming apart.

As for cleaners, they said ordinary laundry detegents will work.

You should get hold of the article. Good Luck.

 

[seadaddler]

Did It

Well I went to the boat yesterday still on the hard and filled a bucket of soap and bleach put the travelar lines in the bucket and also the jib lines also a turn in bucket and this was the first time ever doing so and so they came pretty good and than rinsed them with fresh water all at the boat.
I will be checking other lines to clean also after this worked pretty good with out taking them off the boat.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Nick

 

[rickk31]

You might try what I do. I put my lines in a 5 gal. bucket with water, soap and a little bleach then put a lid on the bucket and put it in the back of my pick-up and do my running for the day.It cleans and not a big tangeled mess.When it comes time to rinse them I just drop a water hose in the bucket and turn the water on low and let the water over flow to rinse them.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Nick...

Every other year I bring all my lines home (sheets, dock lines, anchor lines), lay them out on the driveway and powerwash them with soap then rinse them with the powerwasher.

When done washing, I coil them loosely in big loops and hang them up in the garage to drip dry.

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks

Used 5 gal bucket and bleach,soap and water and let the lines soak.
Nick