My lines are dirty and getting stiff; they are in good shape; has anyone washed their lines; if so, how can one do this and get them clean and soft. I have a Starwind 22 and sail 5-15kts winds most of the time. If cleaning is not recommended, who has the best prices.
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clean lines
Put your lines in a bucket of water with a little mild SOAP - wash by hand, rinse, and add a little liquid fabric softener. let soak for an hour, rinse lightly and AIR dry.
Put your lines in a bucket of water with a little mild SOAP - wash by hand, rinse, and add a little liquid fabric softener. let soak for an hour, rinse lightly and AIR dry.
The washing machine does it for me.
I coil them up and tie them off. Add some laundry detergent and fill the washing machine for a large load. After it fills, I let it agitate for a minute or so the stop it. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minute, then let it agitate for another couple minutes. Repeat this until the washer drains. Rinsing is the most important. I just restart the washer and let it fill and go through the whole cycle. Then I do it again. When dry, the line are bright and clean and pliable. During this whole operation, make sure that each line bundle does not open. If it does, it will take 15 or 20 minutes to untangle each line that has opened.(I learned by experience
) r.w.landau
I coil them up and tie them off. Add some laundry detergent and fill the washing machine for a large load. After it fills, I let it agitate for a minute or so the stop it. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minute, then let it agitate for another couple minutes. Repeat this until the washer drains. Rinsing is the most important. I just restart the washer and let it fill and go through the whole cycle. Then I do it again. When dry, the line are bright and clean and pliable. During this whole operation, make sure that each line bundle does not open. If it does, it will take 15 or 20 minutes to untangle each line that has opened.(I learned by experience
) r.w.landauWashing Machine too
We also use the washing machine. I always put mine inside a pillow case or laundry bag. This prevents the mess if they do happen to come undone. Use the detergent sparingly but use plenty of fabric softener.
We also use the washing machine. I always put mine inside a pillow case or laundry bag. This prevents the mess if they do happen to come undone. Use the detergent sparingly but use plenty of fabric softener.
wash plenty of times
I recently washed all of my lines. I didnt use a pillow case and can attest to the mess afterwards, but it wasn't too hard to clean up. What I can say is this - i had to wash at least 4 times. The rinse water was very very dirty and it took me so many wash cycles to get all of the dirt out.
I recently washed all of my lines. I didnt use a pillow case and can attest to the mess afterwards, but it wasn't too hard to clean up. What I can say is this - i had to wash at least 4 times. The rinse water was very very dirty and it took me so many wash cycles to get all of the dirt out.
I've tried most...
.... of the line cleaning methods mentioned below and most worked to one degree or another mostly depending on the condition of the line to start with. But when I bought a 1750 psi electric power washer a few years ago (mostly to clean the bottom prior to spring painting), I decided to try it on the lines. I laid them out in my driveway and had to make a number of loops with some longer lines. The power washer really blasted all the dirt, slime, gunk and crud out of the lines in short order. And, much to my surprise, the lines were were nice and soft again, too.
.... of the line cleaning methods mentioned below and most worked to one degree or another mostly depending on the condition of the line to start with. But when I bought a 1750 psi electric power washer a few years ago (mostly to clean the bottom prior to spring painting), I decided to try it on the lines. I laid them out in my driveway and had to make a number of loops with some longer lines. The power washer really blasted all the dirt, slime, gunk and crud out of the lines in short order. And, much to my surprise, the lines were were nice and soft again, too.
Powerwash lines?
Warren - I'd be concerned that powerwashing the lines might tear them up a bit. How long ago did you do it, and have you noticed any advanced wear as a result? Anyone else with a thought on this? It seems like an easy solution if it doesn't abuse the lines too much. T J
Warren - I'd be concerned that powerwashing the lines might tear them up a bit. How long ago did you do it, and have you noticed any advanced wear as a result? Anyone else with a thought on this? It seems like an easy solution if it doesn't abuse the lines too much. T J
I've tried each of the listed methods. They all
work. Modern lines are synthetic. Bleach right out of the bottle won't hurt them. The bleach is stored in a synthetic bottle. And the pressure washer can't compare to the load on a genoa sheet.
work. Modern lines are synthetic. Bleach right out of the bottle won't hurt them. The bleach is stored in a synthetic bottle. And the pressure washer can't compare to the load on a genoa sheet.
Rope Washer
As a climber, I've used devices like the attached link describes. You can make one yourself, or buy off the shelf.
As a climber, I've used devices like the attached link describes. You can make one yourself, or buy off the shelf.
For TJ
My power washer has an adjustable nozzle that I set so that it puts out a stream about 3 inches wide when held about 18 inches above the lines on the ground. I've used it to clean 3-strand and double braid nylon lines. I do about 3-4 ft sections at a time and just pass the wand back and forth over the lines a few times and then move on to the next section. Then I turn the lines over and move back down them the other way. I can not see any deterioration in these lines at all. I personally believe that this kind of cleaning extends the life of the lines as it cleans out all the stuff that causes internal friction, which causes the wear on lines.
My power washer has an adjustable nozzle that I set so that it puts out a stream about 3 inches wide when held about 18 inches above the lines on the ground. I've used it to clean 3-strand and double braid nylon lines. I do about 3-4 ft sections at a time and just pass the wand back and forth over the lines a few times and then move on to the next section. Then I turn the lines over and move back down them the other way. I can not see any deterioration in these lines at all. I personally believe that this kind of cleaning extends the life of the lines as it cleans out all the stuff that causes internal friction, which causes the wear on lines.
Mesh Laundry Bag
I use a mesh laundry bag. Just through the ropes and tie the top of the bag really well. add soap and a little bleach. On the rinse cycle, some fabric softener works well. You will need to spend a few minutes to untanle the lines in the bag, but the results are great.
I use a mesh laundry bag. Just through the ropes and tie the top of the bag really well. add soap and a little bleach. On the rinse cycle, some fabric softener works well. You will need to spend a few minutes to untanle the lines in the bag, but the results are great.
Ladies undies washing Bag!
You can buy mesh bags for washing ladies intimate garments at Target and many other places. Put one line per bag and wash as indicated by the other writers. I use Woolite, then fabric softener in the rinse. CVP
You can buy mesh bags for washing ladies intimate garments at Target and many other places. Put one line per bag and wash as indicated by the other writers. I use Woolite, then fabric softener in the rinse. CVP
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