Cleaning Synthetic rope...

[jeepdreamer]

I have a couple large-ish (about the size of your wrist) diameter synthetic recovery ropes. They get dirty and dusty while on the trail and wondered what the best way to clean and preserve them is? Soak them in a bucket of water and then air dry??
Anyone have a good solution??

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Hose them off, wash them in a bucket with a little soap, rinse well, hang to dry out of the sun....

Thats how we wash rescue lifeline, too.

 

[timmer2008]

keep them out of the sun if they are the Nylon double braid kind

they generally are not completely UV stable

 

[jeepdreamer]

Hmmm...

keep them out of the sun if they are the Nylon double braid kind

they generally are not completely UV stable

Uh, How do I know what they are made of? Should it be stamped on them somewhere?

 

[SunTzuNephew]

Just keep them out of the sun as much as possible.

 

[rezdiver]

keep them out of the sun if they are the Nylon double braid kind

they generally are not completely UV stable

I thought Nylon was good with UV and it was Poly that was bad under UV??

 

[SunTzuNephew]

I thought Nylon was good with UV and it was Poly that was bad under UV??

Nope. Nothing is 100% UV stable (including steel, for various values of stable) but ideally you should minimize all UV exposure.

Some of the high performance synthetics (spectra, etc) are pretty much OK but as a rule it's best to minimize the exposure if able. If not, inspect and replace as needed.

 

[rezdiver]

Nope. Nothing is 100% UV stable (including steel, for various values of stable) but ideally you should minimize all UV exposure.

Some of the high performance synthetics (spectra, etc) are pretty much OK but as a rule it's best to minimize the exposure if able. If not, inspect and replace as needed.

I fully understand that nothing is 100% UV resistant for what we are talking about, but Timmer specifically mentioned Nylon double braid.now i am not sure what he is comparing this to? It takes a long time for UV to destroy a rope.

 

[Sangster]

in the time it takes to dry the rope in the sun, the UV rays aren't going to make a lick of difference.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

in the time it takes to dry the rope in the sun, the UV rays aren't going to make a lick of difference.

True, but OTOH good habits are always a good idea.

 

[StumpXJ]

I wash my synthetic ropes/winch lines with Woolite on the delicate cycle, then let them air dry. Work awesome.

~ James

 

[TangoBlue]

I wash my synthetic ropes/winch lines with Woolite on the delicate cycle, then let them air dry. Work awesome.

~ James

Have you tried the new lavendar-scented Woolite? It's pretty awesome -- the winch smells "Springy" fresh now.

 

[Linus Tremaine]

compressed air

If its just light dust I use compressed air to blow them clean. I agree that ropes should be protected from the sun. Especially if they are on the winch all the time. Keep them covered.

 

[SunTzuNephew]

If its just light dust I use compressed air to blow them clean. I agree that ropes should be protected from the sun. Especially if they are on the winch all the time. Keep them covered.

That can actually blow dirt into the jacket of the rope. Vacuuming is probably better. Or just rinse off.

 

[timmer2008]

Also dont use machine washing detergent on fiber ropes. the crystals in the detergent cut the fiber.

use dish washing liquid instead I recommend Doc Bronners or Dawn. Woolite seems like it would be OK as well.