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Washing a rope

Original Post
koreo · · Denver, CO · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 85

So, I just moved into a building with high efficiency washing machines. Can I still wash my rope in the H.E. washing machine?

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

Other that it being a waste of money and water, running a few cycles on empty doesn't guarantee that you've gotten all chemicals out of the washer. I personally wouldn't put my rope in a machine that's been used by the general public. People do really weird things... you never know what's been in those machines.

Clean your bathtub really well and use that. Better yet, get some contractor plastic or a tarp and line the tub with that.

Carl Sherven · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 210

I've always used warm water in my bathtub, no chemicals or soap added. I always do it just before I was going to clean the tub anyway.

The Mother Ship · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 5

I take it into the shower every once in a while and do a coil or two.:)

J F · · Co · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 125

How often do you all wash your rope? And what rope do you have? I feel like some ropes get dirty a lot faster than others.

I have a mammut axis 10.5 mm it seems like every 10 days of sport climbing it needs a good wash.

Thanks

Ryan Williams · · London (sort of) · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,245

For some reason Sterling Evolution 9.8 seem to get black. I've had two and seen many others and they just stay black, even after a washing. Shame, 'cuz it's an awesome rope, but I'm going to be researching next time I buy so that I don't end up w/ black hands at the end of the day.

Dan Richards · · Apple Valley CA · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 5

I clean and rinse my bathtub really well. Then use body temp water and a modest amount of Dawn original dish soap it has no phosphates, this is what is used to clean marine wildlife after oil spills (dont use the sented type). After cleaning thourouly, drain the water and rinse what seems like a ridiculous amount of time. Dry in a very loose coil in the shade, turn every few hours to get consistant drying.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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