I recently bought some used climbing holds that are very slick because of the chalk/sweat cake covering each hold.

What is the best way to remove it and get some of the texture back?

PS -- I have already tried the dishwasher without much success

Alrighty, this is the way I do it and it works very well and really gets ALL of the built up chalk, rubber, and grime off, but it requires a pressure washer . A hose with a nozzle might work just as well, if you try it let me know how it works.


-first fill a bathtub with a mixture of water and vinegar 5:1

-soak the holds for an hour (the vinegar will break up all the grunge)

-lay them all out on the pavement and pressure wash them w/ just water, no soap or anything.

-leave them out till they dry

Your holds are now all clean, grippy, and ready to go

As Will said vinegar works great. I use a 3:1 ratio, soak the holds for about 10 minutes, scrub with a nylon brush and rinse (no pressure hose for me).

We used to run all the holds through a dishwasher with dish detergent at the old gym. It work pretty well. Sometimes, you'd get a little residual grime, but it comes off with a brush.

If you are looking for a no scrubbing way, its a good option

Hey Brett,

Have tried muriatic acid yet?

http://www.routesetter.com/2007/09/06/dropping-acid-muriatic>>>>>

works pretty well for getting the crap off without messing up the texture. Just be REAL careful with the stuff!

Alcohol works well.