So I washed my rope and now its pretty clean but the sheath doesn't feel smooth anymore and it doesn't feed through devices like it did before. Does anybody know of a coating or rope soap to get that "new rope smooth handling" feel back ?

Your screwed man. The more you wash it the more fuzzy the rope gets.

Pretty much. I've never washed a rope and don't plan to. Everyone I know that has washed ropes had this same problem afterward. To me, having the anodization or aluminum dust shit on your hands is worth it if it means your sheath stays relatively smooth for a little longer. To each his own.

I don't know of any products that will un-fuzz your sheath. Sorry.

Use fabric softener when you wash the rope.

all ropes will fuzz up the more you use it ... which is why i never bother getting those slick dry treatments for climbing normal rock ... and why i get a beater rope saving my better ropes for where it matters ...

The roughness will probably ease up once you start using it again.

If you are washing your rope you are not falling enough.

Lesson learned, don't wash your rope.

You can treat the rope with an aftermarket waterproofing agent. Nikwax makes such a product. That would decrease the surface friction of the rope and allow it to regain part of its original smooth handling, but the stuff is kind of expensive, I would just save the money and apply it towards a new rope when the time comes.

I prefer going to happy hour over washing ropes.

I've never washed a rope and aside from unseen circumstances I don't plan to

Thanks for link Perin, seems I'm wrong to assume that it would damage the thread.

How does getting a rope wet make it fuzzy?

I washed a rope last week, no fuzz. Just put it in a queen sized sheet, tie the corners, and toss it in the machine. A small amount of detergent and it is clean.

I washed a sterling evolution velocity 9.8 and I actually think it handles a little better than it did while it was dirty. I daisy chained the rope, put it in a large mesh bag, used a little bit of woolite in a front loader washer, washed it in cold water, and let it dry flaked out inside for about five days.

I have heard the sheath on sterling ropes are tough so I'm not sure if that had an effect on my results.

Wash a rope by hand in the tub and cringe in horror at the color of the water when you're done. Spin cycle only in a machine for me.

I don't have time is a shit excuse.

you could get an over the counter dry treatment and wash it in. That will enhance "handling" properties

Tub washing is the ticket to ride IMHO...


But like others, I pretty much DON'T wash my ropes either...


Accidentally left my rope with a partner and when we got together the next time he handed it to me and I immediately knew (by feel) that it had been washed. Dude took it upoin himself (Without my knowledge) to wash my fuking rope. Needless to say I got a little PISSED and let him know that I prefer NOT to wash my ropes.

Who gives a fuk if a little aluminum dust and or dirt get's on you. What the fuk? Is "OCD" the new IN thing in climbing?