Cleaning a rope?

So I'm sure everyone has their 'special' way that's the best, so let's hear em. I have no real idea how to clean my rope and since it's a different color than when I bought it I figure it's time.

Ian

I use a splash of Woolite, gentle cycle, cold wash, cold rinse. Air dry. Works pretty well.

The most important step is running your washer "one cycle" to rinse out any detergent residual. Then I daisy chain the rope and wash with woolite on warm or cold water.Your gear will thank you for the reduced wear. Then air dry out of the sun.

Don't forget, use a front loading washer, usually found at the Laundromat or find a friend who has one. As for the mesh bag, interesting I'll have to try that, however I just don’t think you can prevent the rope from coiling. Here in SLC we have some of those older homes with wall mounted staircase hand rails. My friend will wash ropes in his front loader, then once done will rap the rope up and down that long rail which really helps with the dry/cure time. And yeah about detergent, you are supposed to use only liquid detergent and not power when washing ropes. Why exactly I don’t know, one can kind of put two and two together though. The guys at Sterling Rope have told me just that, but last I checked they had liquid detergent at their OR booth, 8) however J.D. and Paulie especially are genuine guys and I trust more of what they have to say then say some stranger posting on the net! 8)

Never dared to wash a rope in the 20 years I've had them. They've gotten soaked in rain before, but never have put them in a machine...(note, I've always purchased dry ropes)

1. LARGE beer cooler + 2. no residue liquid soap + 3. warm water

Fill cooler with warm lightly soapy water. Daisy chain rope, drop in and out of water till soaked then let sit overnight. Next day, give it an easy brushing (boar, natural or med-stiff plastic). If water gets fairly soiled then change water and repeat steps again next day. Rinse rope well till water in cooler is clear. Outside hose can be used to fill cooler for rinse.

This technique I use to get very or semi-dirty rope very clean. If your in a hurry and have access to front loader, use with same light soapy formula. *note-always make friends with climbers who own front-loaders.

To dry, allow rope to run through a spin cycle (any type of washer) to remove excess water. Spread out and hang rope over something safely off ground to air dry away from direct sun. Allow few day for rope to dry completely (preferrably indoors where warmer)

Alternative to save water, do this in a bathtub instead of a cooler. Brush then rinse rope out next day during your a.m. shower. WARNING - Could get kinky if a partner helps out... ~~~(-: >~~~~

Damn, looks like we all can write a book on the many ways of cleaning a rope. Everyone seems to have their own method that works.

Jason Himick wrote:Hand washing is a waste of time in my opinion.

Boulderites have no time for anything...tee-he ~(-: Luv my ropes - give'em TLC. I owe them my life and 1x a year I find a few x-tra minutes away from this computer to say how much I care x-o-x

Kirra, that is hilarious, and I guess ropes need TLC too, as for me, “blackie” and I have grown fond since his life saving skills in Yosemite... and yes as always only one person should handle a rope for anything! Just always gets too messy.
And the top load way... nice, new info for me, yeah mats are too much to deal with, so when I stop sheet rocking my buddies basement I guess I will owe him a to wash the ropes!

I go with the auto wash using a front-end loader. Sometimes
just use water. I've used woolite in the past, but worry about
chemical reactions. They have some sort of rope wash in climbing
shops, but I haven't tried that yet. (Be proactive--use a rope bag
and try to keep your rope out of the dirt--not always possible).
I dry mine from my chin-up bar in doorway--just loop rope around
it and let air dry.
Voila!

Ropes are burly, but they need love too. Front loading stuff it in on gentle cycle, woolite, dry on top of door that is open. Never have done the extra rinse though killer idea. How come nobody uses rope wash? Sick traddies and bouderites must be too enviro, ha ha.

Look here, - guardate qui:
Spazzolina circolare per pulire la corda prima e dopo l'uso
Rope brush

bdel.com/images/gear/beal_r…

bealplanet.com/portail-2006…

beal-services.info/anglais/…

Ciao,
Franz Bachmann

I made a DIY rope "scrubber" from some Home Depot items...

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e33/therightbunker/DSCN0905.jpg

i36.photobucket.com/albums/…

I always heard Ivory (Flakes, if you can find them) was the best soap, I don't use any soaps with the scrubber, but it's a wicked pump to scrub of the oxides from sport climbing anchors...

Franz Bachmann wrote:Look here, - guardate qui: Spazzolina circolare per pulire la corda prima e dopo l'uso Rope brush bdel.com/images/gear/beal_r… bealplanet.com/portail-2006… beal-services.info/anglais/… Ciao, Franz Bachmann

I have this brush, and washed an real old rope with it recently in the bath tub. While not as convenient as a front loader, it worked very well on my old, beater 10.5mm rope (I used only water). I think a good tool to have in the climbing gear-cache.

Washed mine by hand in a washing machine. Water only then spin only.
Repeat till water is clear. Hung on bannister inside out of sunlight for two days. Works good. -E

I have used only water and sometimes Dr Bronners perppermint soap. My last wash left my rope feeling kind of sticky in a few spots. I don't know if it was from the soap, as I did rinse it in about 4-5 changes of water in a bathtub. After a day of climbing it feels fine though. I air dry coiled on a tarp.

I like the homemade rope brush. I might just make one now! Maybe I'll try woolite next time.

Guess I love my rope a little too much....I shower with it :)

I fill up the tub with an inch of water and woolite. Then I get in the tub and "agitate" the rope with my feet for 10 minutes while I shower. Then I unplug the drain and while I rinse off, the rope rinses off.

After we are both all nice and clean, I run the rope through my hands to squeegee off the excess then I flake it over the curtain rod till it is dry.

The mutual cleaning has done wonders for our relationship and has certainly brought us closer over the years.

I believe there are pictures on MountainProject.xxx

J

Jon Leicht wrote:Guess I love my rope a little too much....I shower with it :) I fill up the tub with an inch of water and woolite. Then I get in the tub and "agitate" the rope with my feet for 10 minutes while I shower.Then I unplug the drain and while I rinse off, the rope rinses off. After we are both all nice and clean, I run the rope through my hands to squeegee off the excess then I flake it over the curtain rod till it is dry. The mutual cleaning has done wonders for our relationship and has certainly brought us closer over the years. I believe there are pictures on MountainProject.xxx J

ahhh -that is sooo sexy ~ I think your just making all this up..!

pictures plz, I'm not really sure about this "agitation" technique

Just pay .75 to run a front loading washer and done! If you are worried about other peoples detergents then run an empty load. Done, easy and safe!

follow-up ~ I just washed my dirt-encrusted rope. I remembered 1-important step I forgot to mention. Daisy chain the rope (on double). Keeps it from tangling.

1. Tope loader, 2. med-stiff utility brush, 3. non-residue soap. Rinsed till water clean. 2-3 days air-dry indoors. Rope is sparkling bright-clean and looks like new..!

I don't want to take it outside now -looks too nice. Brought my other rope out instead that's a bit dirtier....haha ~

I hand wash mine in the tub. No soap. I have found if all the soap does not get out of the rope it attracts more dirt. Or seems to get dirty faster. I i use a washer i use the front loader still with no soap. Air Dry