bonathanjarrett Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Does anyone have experience cleaning climbing gear that has been in contact with poison oak oils? I am mostly concerned about the soft stuff: slings, harness etc. I don't want to use something that will damage the nylon, but I want to make sure that it gets clean so I don't risk future contamination. I know about Tecnu, but I am not sure that it is safe to use on slings. Thanx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 urine? Â sucks - i'm crazy allergic to that crap - grape sized blisters - yum, yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hemp22 Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 last time i got exposed, i got totally covered in the stuff. i just tossed my harness, shoes & slings in the washer on cold with no soap, and they were all better. water will deactivate urushiol. i have tecnu too, but didn't want to try it on that stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 last time i got exposed, i got totally covered in the stuff. i just tossed my harness, shoes & slings in the washer on cold with no soap, and they were all better. water will deactivate urushiol. i have tecnu too, but didn't want to try it on that stuff. Water will NOT deactive urushiol. It is a very stable compound. It is very oily and hydrophobic. You need a soap or detergent to emulsify it and wash it away. Detergent will not harm your nylon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonathanjarrett Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 Would you recommend a particular detergent to use? Would something like Tide be ok if I wash it in the washing machine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainmatt Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 First off, that stuff sucks and getting it off your climbing gear is a pain. Â For soap, just avoid bleach in the soap and you should be ok. Generally a milder detergent is better. With climbing shoes, I have found it useful to brush on the soap by hand as to avoid the leather shrinking and getting funky in the washing machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderfour Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Woolite, cold water, gentle cycle, long wash time, everything in pillow cases. Air dry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff_T Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 Since somebody mentioned urine.....would the above methods work for removing cat urine as well? Could there have been any damage done since it looks like it has been a day or two since it happened? Â I loathe cats. Â Jeff www.cascadesclimber.com/coppermine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gosolo Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 I second the mild detergent. Make sure you decontaminate your stuff! It is imperative. One time I got in the stuff and didnt. I went out bouldering, playing with chalkbag. Took a piss. Yeah, you can guess what happened. Dont have that happen I can assure you that aint fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dechristo Posted October 11, 2006 Share Posted October 11, 2006 twig and acorns unhappy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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