cleaning lines & sheets

[sailingdog]

Using mild detergent or soap and fabric softener isn't usually a problem. However, the agitator action of the washing machine may damage the ropes. Heat is not good for the lines IMHO... and either is chlorine bleach. If you do have to use a washing machine to wash the lines...coil them, frap the coils and then put the coils in a pillow case or mesh bag.

BTW, cleaning lines is a good idea, as salt crystals and dirt can abrade the lines from the inside out...

[hellosailor]

" However, the agitator action of the washing machine may damage the ropes." Which is why I mentioned using a FRONT LOADER, where there is no agitator. And coincidentally, front loaders do less damage to clothing for the same reason.

[rockDAWG]

Gentlemen, I think if my underwear can survive Gentlemen, I think if my underwear can survive the top loader and bleach. I am sure the ropes will be OK. After all, I only wash them may be twice a year at the most.

[sailingdog]

Chlorine bleach does attack some of the synthetics used in modern lines pretty aggressively...I'd definitely skip the bleach. Ropes aren't held together with stitching...so the cores can move around in a washing machine, and can actually exit the outer braid in some cases, causing irreparable damage to the rope in question. YMMV. Some people have good luck using a washing machine, some lose lines to damage...

Personally, I just use my nephews' wading pool and a garden hose.

[hellosailor]

Rockdawg-
"I think if my underwear can survive" I would hope that your underwear are fairly low-tech old-tech compared to the sheets for your boat. Undies are usually cotton or cotton blend, rigging is never cotton or cotton blend. Not even if you're a real gentlemen, who uses pure woven silk lines instead of those harsh modern ones.

While accidentally reading the laundry tag on a new cotton polo shirt, I saw one of the icons translated as "DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER". Now, why I shouldn't use water soluble wax on a cotton garment...I don't know. It just goes to show you--laundry ain't all the same. (And besides, a hundred feet of sheets is probably a whole lot more expensive than your underwear.)

[Goodnewsboy]

I bought a boat that was very dirty after sitting unused for over ten years. The running rigging was filthy and some of it had small plants growing in the rope. I was anticipating a complete re-rig.

The solution I can now recommend is to soak the lines in a 5 gal bucket with a solution of laundry detergent and a generous amount of Oxi-Clean or equivalent.

Leave it overnight or longer. Agitate it well. Rinse thoroughly and let dry in the sun.

You will be pleasantly surprised. It saved me a lot of money.

[pigslo]

rockDAWG, I think you should wash your underwear more than twice a year.... unless you have like... 200 pair.