Cleaning Lines

[Perithead]

I was wondering what was the best way to clean the lines on my boat? They are dirty and havent been washed in a while.

The first mate and I put them in a bucket with Tide and fabric softner sheet and let them sit and stir them periodically then dumped them in the cockpit and sprayed them good with presurized water. This worked pretty well.

My mother suggests using a bit of bleach but I would think that this would weaken the lines a bit. Because one day I splashed some bleach on some shorts and pretty soon, where they had been splashed the material had been eaten away and now there are just holes in my shorts.

Am I right about bleach?

I ran a search but couldnt find what I needed to answer this relatively simple question.

[artbyjody]

I actually bring them home and do them on the "gentle cycle" - a tad bit of bleach is ok... let them air dry afterwards...

[sailingdog]

Bleach is a bit caustic for using on most lines. I'd recommend not using it. Liquid fabric softener is probably a better idea than a fabric softener sheet.

[Slipkiller2]

Use a mild detergent and air dry.

http://www.animatedknots.com/cleanin...matedknots.com

http://www.newenglandropes.com/sr_linecare.aspx

[svindigo]

Hit them with a pressure washer first and that will get most of the crud off.

Ike

[Sapperwhite]

If you put them into the washing machine, put them in a mesh bag first or you'll wrap the machines agitator all to hell (ask me how i know). If you don't have a mesh bag, tie the lines into big daisy chains.

[bestfriend]

Yes, mesh bags and Woolite on the gentle cycle.

[SailorMitch]

I use mesh bags but on the regular cycle. You also may have to throw in some old towels/rags to even out the load for the spin cycles. I use regular detergent but add a dose of Oxyclean, which does a good job of cleaning. Liquid fabric softener as well, then air dry.

[Maine Sail]

Use a front loading machine on the cold or warm cycle and Ivory Snow or Dreft flakes and some liquid fabric softener. Detergents are very hard to rinse out oft he lines as opposed to Ivory Snow or Dreft and can lead to soapy lines when they get wet.

Put the lines in a divers mesh bag and wash once with the soap, softener etc. and once with NOTHING. This will guarantee your lines come out soap free. While it can be done I don't advise a top loader with an agitator.

I have sometimes added Oxy-Clean or its equivalent and had decent results without the harshness of bleach.

[T37Chef]

Originally Posted by Sapperwhite

If you put them into the washing machine, put them in a mesh bag first or you'll wrap the machines agitator all to hell (ask me how i know). If you don't have a mesh bag, tie the lines into big daisy chains.

Not thinking...first time I got the idea to wash the lines, I just threw them in the washer...can you say the worlds largest ball of rope