Laundry soap on rope...

I have a 10.2mm New England dry rope I mistakenly washed with laundry detergent before really knowing much about ropes and how to take care of them properly. Maybe 1-2 tbs. was used. I contacted the manufacture and told them what happened. "I washed the rope with detergent, allowed it to dry. After drying it felt sticky so I threw it back in the wash this time without detergent. After laying it out to dry the 2nd time it still felt sticky." Thats when I decided to do more research on how to wash the rope (ya I know ass backwards... haha some have to learn the hard way I guess.) realizing I f***** up. However they just asked how I liked the rope, did I feel any irregularities (besides sticky), and if I trusted it. I said yea I liked it, no irregularities, and I did trust it before but wondered their thoughts on it. They just told me it was probably the dry treatment that now coated the whole rope instead of just the inside and said it was my call. They did not give me any further recommendations, guidelines, or actions. So I'm coming to you all to see what the thoughts are...throw it out? Keep it?

Things that affect nylon mechanical properties: elevated temperature and time at elevated temperature, UV exposure, acid, alkali. Unless you used some crazy detergent then I think you're fine.

The rope is fine.

Throw it in the dirt, it'll take the stickiness right out.

The rope is safe though.

I have kept it and actually used it once but wanted to make sure it's good to roll out this spring! Thank you guys for feed back!

I only wash my rope using Laundry detergent i wash my ropes regularly, Soap is soap, your rope is fine.

Actual On second thought your ropes is completely worthless now and you should send it to me for some field testing.

hhhmmm....I agree with Kirtis. Some field testing should determine the fate of the rope and he seems to be the man for the job.

Ok Kirtis I'll send it to you for a small fee...$150 + shipping! Haha I see your in Rapid City area do you live up that way? I'll be back next summer what's the chances of getting on a few routes? Do you climb at falling rock much? Good to know John don't feel like such a dumbass after all...

Best way I have gotten a rope clean is Go spray it with a car wash presure washer on wash only just water that will blast it off then wash in machine one more time bet it will be real nice. Hang coiled to dry out off sunlight. My dirtiest ropes I've had success with this. Use tide original or rope soap. Also make sure at car wash you put the rope down on a rubber mat or something so you don't risk getting other chemicals on ur rope. Cheers

Also have any off you guys done soap on a rope in clear creek canyon at monkey house stellar new route get on it.

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ANGUS WIESSNER wrote:Best way I have gotten a rope clean is Go spray it with a car wash presure washer on wash only just water that will blast it off then wash in machine one more time bet it will be real nice. Hang coiled to dry out off sunlight. My dirtiest ropes I've had success with this. Use tide original or rope soap. Also make sure at car wash you put the rope down on a rubber mat or something so you don't risk getting other chemicals on ur rope. Cheers Also have any off you guys done soap on a rope in clear creek canyon at monkey house stellar new route get on it.

Hey! I generally leave my climbing gear in my car and didn't realize that there was an old apple core rotting among some of my gear until it was smelly. Now some of my slings and webbing smells bad. I rinsed them with water and the smell is gone, do you think the quality of my gear is compromised (Any chemists out there)? Please reply with helpful/informative comments (not judgmental ones). What would you do if this were your gear?

Washing your sings and ropes and other nylon based gear with water will not harm them.

Thanks Brent! But do you think whatever was decomposing the apple might have harmed the soft gear?

Ryan Hussey wrote:Hey! I generally leave my climbing gear in my car and didn't realize that there was an old apple core rotting among some of my gear until it was smelly. Now some of my slings and webbing smells bad. I rinsed them with water and the smell is gone, do you think the quality of my gear is compromised (Any chemists out there)? Please reply with helpful/informative comments (not judgmental ones). What would you do if this were your gear?

How generous, monsieur Gibbs! I'll send the gear along with the rotten apple so you can give it a taste test, too!

The apple was being oxidized. Bacteria did the decomposing. None of that would have made any chemical that would have been bad for the slings nylon.

I was my rope twice a year in laundry detergent I use hot water and an extra rinse

I generally wash my rope twice a year in decomposing apple mush, so I think you're good.