My dock lines, and most of the rigging lines are very dirty and grey. I would like to wash them. Anyone have any success with this? What are you using for cleaners. Any bleach? Thanks.
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Joy
We use Joy detergent in a bucket to wash the lines, then rinse with freshwater, then dry. Steve Hall S/V Helen Highwater
We use Joy detergent in a bucket to wash the lines, then rinse with freshwater, then dry. Steve Hall S/V Helen Highwater
Washing lines
Steve's suggestion in using Joy is a good one. Dishwashing detergents tend to emulsify grease, grit and grime. You can also try Wool-lite and if your lines have gotten a little stiff, wash them in a quality soap, rinse well and then soak them a couple of hours or so in a fabric softener much like you do your clothes in the rinse cycle. Works wonders. I wouldn't recommend bleach unless you use one of those non-chlorine bleaches. Good ol' UV will solve that problem. Besides chlorine bleach is pretty harsh and it's my opinion that over time, it will "attack" the lines and rot them out. That's just my opinion, of course. Besides, most lines are dacron or some other tough-skinned synthetic and dirt, mold and slime is usually a topical condition that can be washed out. Good luck.
Steve's suggestion in using Joy is a good one. Dishwashing detergents tend to emulsify grease, grit and grime. You can also try Wool-lite and if your lines have gotten a little stiff, wash them in a quality soap, rinse well and then soak them a couple of hours or so in a fabric softener much like you do your clothes in the rinse cycle. Works wonders. I wouldn't recommend bleach unless you use one of those non-chlorine bleaches. Good ol' UV will solve that problem. Besides chlorine bleach is pretty harsh and it's my opinion that over time, it will "attack" the lines and rot them out. That's just my opinion, of course. Besides, most lines are dacron or some other tough-skinned synthetic and dirt, mold and slime is usually a topical condition that can be washed out. Good luck.
Washing Machine works great.
Scott: I have washed ours in the washing machine. Just coil them up and tie them off. Use a little laundry detergent. I would NOT dry them, just air dry. Gets the dirt out them and makes them soft again. I would not use dishwasher detergent (lots of bleach). Our washing machine does not have a agitator in it, like some of those commercial machines at the laundrymats. If you have one then you just want to be sure that your lines are secured so they do not get wrapped around it.
Scott: I have washed ours in the washing machine. Just coil them up and tie them off. Use a little laundry detergent. I would NOT dry them, just air dry. Gets the dirt out them and makes them soft again. I would not use dishwasher detergent (lots of bleach). Our washing machine does not have a agitator in it, like some of those commercial machines at the laundrymats. If you have one then you just want to be sure that your lines are secured so they do not get wrapped around it.
What Kind of Dirt?
Probably the first question is what kind of "dirt" it there? Is the dirt principally from dirty air, like diesel from jet aircraft or smog, or is it from mold and mildew? If the dirt includes mold or mildew then don't use detergent because it will actually provide food for more growth. This goes for not only the lines but also for the dodger and sail covers. Non-detergents include Ivory flakes and stuff like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap (www.drbronner.com). The other option, especially for dock lines, is to use a pressure washer. I've used a Karcher 1250 psi washer for about eight years and it works really good, especially for the really recalcitrant stuff. If the soil is from hydrocarbons then pure water will probably not work as well. The Northwest is great for mildew growth and normally I take the summer dock lines off and put on the winter lines, and remove the dodger, and sails. Even with these preventative measures I still have to fight mildew growth. If mold and mildew is a problem then I'd be on the lookout for it developing on the inside as well. Last year we bought a high-temperature (and high priced) Lady Bug steam cleaner and this did really well, especially on the liner and gel coat. Good luck in your battle!
Probably the first question is what kind of "dirt" it there? Is the dirt principally from dirty air, like diesel from jet aircraft or smog, or is it from mold and mildew? If the dirt includes mold or mildew then don't use detergent because it will actually provide food for more growth. This goes for not only the lines but also for the dodger and sail covers. Non-detergents include Ivory flakes and stuff like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Soap (www.drbronner.com). The other option, especially for dock lines, is to use a pressure washer. I've used a Karcher 1250 psi washer for about eight years and it works really good, especially for the really recalcitrant stuff. If the soil is from hydrocarbons then pure water will probably not work as well. The Northwest is great for mildew growth and normally I take the summer dock lines off and put on the winter lines, and remove the dodger, and sails. Even with these preventative measures I still have to fight mildew growth. If mold and mildew is a problem then I'd be on the lookout for it developing on the inside as well. Last year we bought a high-temperature (and high priced) Lady Bug steam cleaner and this did really well, especially on the liner and gel coat. Good luck in your battle!
Washing Machine Works Great
I use Tide, lots of bleach and fabric softener. Do not coil the line around the agitator you will end up with one big knot. Just make a coil with the line and set it in to one side of the agitator. I moved my boat to a different marina about a month ago and the previous guy left a half dozen lines there. Trouble was he left them mostly in the water and they were really nasty I started to throw them out but figured it was worth a shot, they look almost as good as new now.
I use Tide, lots of bleach and fabric softener. Do not coil the line around the agitator you will end up with one big knot. Just make a coil with the line and set it in to one side of the agitator. I moved my boat to a different marina about a month ago and the previous guy left a half dozen lines there. Trouble was he left them mostly in the water and they were really nasty I started to throw them out but figured it was worth a shot, they look almost as good as new now.
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