Washing Rope

Tim Stich wrote:

Yeah, going to nix that right now. Use plenty of soap if you actually want the rope to be clean when it comes out. I had to wash mine twice for skimping on the soap the first run. 

That's the thing - ropes get dirty, easily. There's little point in getting the rope to brand new clean - all you really need to do is get the grit and aluminum oxide off. For that, soap isn't necessary.

Marc801 C wrote:

That's the thing - ropes get dirty, easily. There's little point in getting the rope to brand new clean - all you really need to do is get the grit and aluminum oxide off. For that, soap isn't necessary.

Not in my experience. Soap is essential. And, I might add, it does absolutely nothing to hurt the rope. So why skimp on it? Now if you want to keep washing your rope with just water, be my guest. I will continue doing it with soap, as it brought out the pattern in my bi-color rope so well the last washing that I was amazed. Previously, both ends looked the same.

Tim. do you think my rope survived the tide pod incident? personaqlly i feel that it did but havent taken the leap to actually trusting it with someone elses life. I would bet $100.00 in an instant that I could drag a huge oak tree out of the woods with it with it but that actually does retire the rope.. 

Tim Stich wrote:

Not in my experience. Soap is essential. And, I might add, it does absolutely nothing to hurt the rope. So why skimp on it? Now if you want to keep washing your rope with just water, be my guest. I will continue doing it with soap, as it brought out the pattern in my bi-color rope so well the last washing that I was amazed. Previously, both ends looked the same.

If I don't have access to a rope specific soap, would a mild dish soap be suitable?

Nylon is tuff stuff. Soap gets it cleaner. SAR people even use a touch of bleach to get the blood born gack out. Leaving soap in the rope will just collect more dirt tho. Rinse well.

If you climb where volcanic ash is plentiful you will see your Biners being carved away at each lower. Good to get that stuff out of the rope.

Ben Lazar wrote:

If I don't have access to a rope specific soap, would a mild dish soap be suitable?

What rope do you have?  I suggest reaching out to the manufacturer or checking their site.

https://sterlingrope.com/images/downloads/Sterling_Wrap_CARE_21x9_2019Nov_v7_ML_PRINT.pdf

I have always had sterling ropes.  Called them direct back in the day as the internet had so many wonderful this is how you do it solutions.  They said front load HE washers are best as they do low speed tumble wash and no agitators.  Air dry, no sun.  Use an HE or mild soap with no bleach.  I was told I could wash it as many times as I wanted.  For the past 10 years and several ropes I have done just that.  Wash mine every few trips.  But I'm just another one of those posts ;).  

I did just get a mammut rope and they have a great article on care.

https://www.mammut.com/us/en/care-instructions-ropes/

Daisy chain does make it a lot easier or you can end up with a big tangled mess.

Pro tip: add a little fabric softener as well to keep the rope supple.

A lot of people use Woolite.

Just soaking a rope in water in a tub for a few hours can get a lot of dirt out. I've done that a few times and the rope's come out much cleaner.

Use Ivory Snow if you don't want to spring for rope wash.  It is super gentle for people with allergies.

"In cases where equipment may be exposed to blood‐borne pathogens or other infectious substances, we’re often asked about appropriate methods for cleaning ropes. Certain authorities recommend specific concentrations of household bleach for disinfecting gear that has been exposed to certain contaminants, so naturally customers often wonder at what concentration their PMI rope will experience deterioration. While PMI cannot speak to the subject of infectious diseases, or what solution might neutralize a given hazardous substance, we are happy to provide at least some guidance regarding the effect of bleach on rope fibers.

Specifically, PMI has found that a mixture of 1 part household bleach (with active ingredient of Sodium hypochlorite at 5.25% concentration) with 9 parts room temperature tap water and a 10 minute or less exposure time, immediately followed by a thorough rinse of room temperature water appears not to cause any appreciable harm to nylon or polyester ropes. PMI cannot, however, speak to whether or not such a mixture will truly disinfect your rope from contaminants.

Precautionary Note: PMI’s testing suggests that a “single disinfection” of ropes using the above recommended method will not cause appreciable harm to nylon or polyester ropes. However, if this process is repeated multiple times, the damage will inevitably become appreciable, and this damage is not necessarily detectable through visual inspection."

https://blog.rocorescue.com/roco-rescue-blog/cleaning-your-rope-here-s-what-the-experts-have-to-say

Any laundry detergent works. I would avoid bleach, as it's just unnecessary.

Robert S wrote:

A lot of people use Woolite.

Just soaking a rope in water in a tub for a few hours can get a lot of dirt out. I've done that a few times and the rope's come out much cleaner.

No. Just say no to woolite. Use to be a user as it use to be recommend. No, do not use. I would take a small bit of woolite and mix it with water and pour it into the wet mix, and I'm sure its fine. However, pass on woolite. Regular detergent, mixed to a lower percentage diluted by water and add an extra rinse and you'll be GTG.  Sterling use to suggest fabric softener to keep ropes supple. I never wanted to add it to my ropes, but have been told it works.