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... ~~~(-: >~~~~

Hand washing is a waste of time in my opinion. I've been told to be wary of laundromats since you have no idea what kind of chemicals the previous user put in the machine.

I half my rope and then daisy chain it. Throw it in the top load, no big deal, but use the gentle cycle. Use non-detergent soap or something like woolite. Do extra rinse cycle. Air dry out of the sun, as mentioned above.

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.

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

http://www.bdel.com/images/gear/beal_rope_brush.jpg

http://www.bealplanet.com/portail-2006/index.php?page=outils>>>>>

http://www.beal-services.info/anglais/video_laver_corde-us.s>>>>>

Ciao,
Franz Bachmann

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


http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e33/therightbunker/DSCN090>>>>>

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e33/therightbunker/DSCN090>>>>>


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...

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

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

1) Daisy chain the rope- this will prevent the rope from turning into a nasty coiled mess.

2) Use a front loader- anything with an agitator makes me nervous when combined with a 200' rope.

3) Run the washer through a rinse cycle and remove the bleach container if possible (on mine, this and the fabric softener cups come out).

4) Use Woolite/Ivory Snow/Sterling Rope Wash. Dont use detergent.

5) I run a heavy cycle on hot water (no, the hot water wont damage the rope). If the rope is extra nasty, run a second cycle (regular).

6) I run two rinse only cycles (mostly because I'm paranoid)

7) Remove the rope and let it air dry over the bathtub (or any other place you can hang it).

I bought my front loader (for only $100 more than a top loader- it doesnt have anything fancy) specifically so i can wash my ropes (and down products)...its been worth every penny. The best part is that the rope comes out damn near dry- I let mine hang for about a day before coiling them and storing them again.

Does anyone know why detergents are taboo? Ropes are what, polyethylene or polypropylene. Your typical detergent is not a very reactive species either. Do the detergents have the potential to act as a plasticiers, or is it something else?

Most detergents leave residues and coat fibers in the form of softeners, brighteners, stain guards etc. Buildup over time will affect the ability for any pre-treated fibers to wick, and/or repell moisture or anything else they were originally intended to do.

A bio-chemist out there could probably answer more in depth ~

I'm a moron.

I kept reading these comments about wasing a rope in a front-end loader and kept thinking "John Deere" instead of "Maytag."

That is a great visual.

"Hey Charlie, can you stop digging that basement hole and bring the front end loader over here so I can wash my rope?"