Rope Wash

[obwan]

What is the latest trend on washing ropes? I used to see a dry treatment wash in the past, but searching the web - I only find " Nikwax Rope Proof", and spendy $25. It basically is added to a clean rope to restore waterproofing. Has anyone used this product or have a better solution (no pun intended)?

[mountainsandsound]

I have used a rope wash made by McNett, a company in Bellingham. It definitely was not anywhere close to $25 (more like $8 if I remember correctly). I don't remember if it specifically claimed to restore waterproofing, but the simple cleaning action of lifting dirt and crystals from the sheath should itself help with waterproofing to an extent. The rope was definitely clean afterwards.

[BootsandPants]

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Sterling-Rope-Wicked-Good-Rope-Wash_10026751_10208_10000001_-1_

 

Bought a couple of these the last time I ordered something through them. It works pretty well the few time's I've used it, and for $2.50 a wash, ain't breaking the bank.

[obwan]

Thanks for the tip - yes, it's $8 but no longer made by McNett ( probably low sales).

McNett did pass along two sites that still have some:

tenttrails.com and sheepleg.com

I hate it when shipping is more than the product as in the case of moosejaw.com

[DavidW]

Sterling makes a product called Wicked Good Rope Wash... comes in individual packets for like.. $2.88. Marmot has them all the time.

[obwan]

Cool! At least it's better than Ivory soap.

[pcg]

Mammut says to wash their ropes just like you would wash wool - so I use Woolite in warm water, gentle cycle.

[montypiton]

your rope is nylon, so pretty much any mild detergent will work. gentle cycle (mainly because you'll get less tangle than regular cycle), low heat. air dry (a no-heat dryer cycle is ok, but you'll spend hours untangling your line)

 

woolite and no heat is a pretty good inexpensive recipe...

[ajpederson]

(mainly because you'll get less tangle than regular cycle)

woolite and no heat is a pretty good inexpensive recipe...

 

I've used woolite in the past with pretty good results. I run it through a second rinse cycle to make sure all the soap is gone. I also wash mine in a mesh laundry bag, which seems to reduce the tangles quite a bit.

[laurel]

If you daisy chain your rope it will not tangle. Yes, I also thought this would be obvious but I keep hearing people say things like "I washed my rope and now I need to untangle it for hours".

 

daisy chain == http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsinnet/

 

[bstach]

Use a front loading machine instead of one with a central agitator as the agitator can damage the rope.

[layton]

i usually core shot, wind up chopping my rope, or find flat spots way before dirt does the deed