Washing Rope

What's the best method for washing climbing rope?

Agitatorless washer, rope soap, and lots of rinses (several wash cycles without soap). Set it to deep water wash. Does a wonderful job! I confess, I was shopping for a new washer, and my first thought when I saw this, was rope washing. It also gets the rope reasonably dry.

Don’t forget to daisy chain the rope before putting it in the washer. 

For all the agitators out there - not the Portland peeps that bug the orange man - but people who own older style top loaders:
I just did two 60m ropes

1. daisy chained 2. put in large bag/sack/etc (7.9mm half went in a pillow case, 10mm single went in an oversize sleeping bag sack) 3. soaked/washed - little or no detergent, warm or cold water - did an extra rinse too

Notes: I planned on taking the ropes out of the bag after the final rinse and prior to spinning, in order to neatly lay them out as per OLH's picture - avoiding the agitator for the spin cycle. Due to having two ropes, the weight was balanced enough that I never had an issue and just let them spin dry in the bags. 

I've always done hand-wash only before, but am glad I've moved on. Less effort, came out cleaner. I plan to always wash them in pairs now - made it super simple, even with our old washing machine. No tangling issues or anything. 

Oh, and I found all the info needed by searching  ;)

Agree with all, except for using soap of any sort. It’s not necessary and you’ll use less water. 

Marc801 C wrote:

Agree with all, except for using soap of any sort. It’s not necessary and you’ll use less water. 

Mine was so black you couldn't tell it was bipattern. The rope soap helped, but I washed the poor thing twice, even so. 

That's the rope ready to come out of the washer, IIRC. It was dry enough to just drape on a loveseat. Hand washing in the bathtub was a major PITA. And a very wet rope, too. A friend passed on the tip to set the rope up over a box fan laying down. I don't bother, mind dries in just a few days at most.

Good idea to do two, for an older washer, if you have the room!

There's no need to wash your climbing rope.

Daniel Winder wrote:

There's no need to wash your climbing rope.

or yourself, but some partners prefer it. 

Daniel Winder wrote:

There's no need to wash your climbing rope.

You haven't seen my rope. Or me, for that matter....

I was just wondering about this the other day- glad we still have the “Latest Forum Posts” function!

My ropes get fairly dirty in my area for my climbing and its nice to have clean ropes and clean hands, so I have been washing mine when they get dirty.  Sometimes every ~4 days of climbing. 

I have been using ~2 pumps of more natural dish soap and a front load washer.  When I hang out to dry in my home, I get a good chance to inspect the rope when its clean.  I don't have the data on this process, but I believe I am extending the life of my rope and playing it safe with regular thorough inspections.  

Dirty ropes are harder to inspect.  The same philosophy a works for me on my motorcycles, cars and bicycles.  How can you see something wrong through all that regular grime.  

if you wash your rope every 4 times you climb you certainly going to shorten its life. I NEVER wash my ropes but came back from a big trip 2 years ago and decided what the heck I'le wash the rope. Instinctively tossed in a tide pod.... Didn't even think about it at the moment but realized when i took the very clean rope out of the machine to dry it what I had done...  Rope has been under the bed for 2 years now... In all liklyhood its bomber but I have not had the nerve to give it a try.... 

Nick Goldsmith wrote:

if you wash your rope every 4 times you climb you certainly going to shorten its life.

My rope washing routine is similar to Patrick Bateman's routine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46-WNPlCYsg

Just a personal preference like washing my jeans.  Some people never wash their jeans.  I would be happy change my mind with some real testing of frequent washes testing vs dirty and infrequent washes.

Water and a mild soap is not going to hurt your rope, but dirt or a harsh tide pod probably will.  A dirty rope will also wear out your carabiners faster.  We know that the extreme case of soaking your rope in mud will decrease its strength in slow pull tests.

washing your jeans also wears them out.   I wish i knew the actual science of the tide pod. Does one tide pod wash retire an almost new rope? 

My layman's understanding is that regular washing machine detergent and even Woolight can damage the materials climbing rope is made out of.    If you are afraid of your tied pod rope, you could cut a sample and send it to YouTuber HowNotToHighline who does home tests of climbing equipment.  You would need a control sample with similar wear and tear or compare to the new specs for that rope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Wa2udjT7M&t=3s

I washed some (I hope) dog poop off my rope by using the Sterling rope wash.  Just did a simple daisy chain and then put in a mash bag designed for delicate clothing and rinsed twice. The rope is a Mammut 9.5mm and it somehow feels like it got puffier. Maybe that will change after a pitch or two. It doesn't seem to have affected the hand of the rope. 

Buck Rio wrote:

I washed some (I hope) dog poop off my rope by using the Sterling rope wash.  

Gross

Poison oak is a reason why I wash my ropes sometimes.  

Joseph Brody wrote:

Gross

Poison oak is a reason why I wash my ropes sometimes.  

How do you know it is even on the rope? My first clue with poison ivy (in MN) is the rash...and then I burn everything ;-D

I'm sensitive to poison oak, so now I have a eagle eye for it.  When in doubt, wash it out.  

https://www.backcountry.com/explore/clean-your-climbing-rope?CMP_ID=PD_GOc001BR&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PSBR&rmatt=tsid:1042759|cid:730639561|agid:37882800173|tid:aud-754493105910:dsa-277684479583|crid:431435686007|nw:g|rnd:6469700971494006394|dvc:c|adp:|mt:b|loc:9021007&iv_=__iv_p_1_g_37882800173_c_431435686007_w_aud-754493105910:dsa-277684479583_n_g_d_c_v__l__t__r__x__y__f__o__z__i__j__s__e__h_9021007_ii__vi__&k_clickid=_k_EAIaIQobChMIuZ2A05yJ6wIVCj6tBh2MZQQlEAAYASAAEgIwwfD_BwE_k_&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuZ2A05yJ6wIVCj6tBh2MZQQlEAAYASAAEgIwwfD_BwE

Backcountry.com has a good article on how to wash rope. I think I'll put my rope in the bathtub, use a sponge, and a hint of dish soap if I need to. 

Marc801 C wrote:

Agree with all, except for using soap of any sort. It’s not necessary and you’ll use less water. 

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.