Smelly Sheets (not the ones you sleep on)

[bbistis]

After a while sheets start to smell (wet,dry,wet,dry...). Can I just throw them in the washer/dryer (low settin) to refresh?

[sailingdog]

Soaking them in a large tub or bucket filled with some warm water with some fabric softener added may help. I don't think putting them in the washer or dryer is a very smart idea. The action of the washer/dryer mechanism may cause some problems... but YMMV.

[knothead]

I've done that. It works but you will spend some time untangling them when you're done. Might be better off just doing it by hand in a bucket.

[bbistis]

Did you use regular home washer & dryer, or industrial type?

[TXS-ALAMO]

I've found that you can use a clothes washer (the bigger the better) and avoid tangling the lines if you put them in a large open weave mesh bag. They come out clean and not tangled.

[Sabreman]

For about 20 years, each fall we've pulled all our running rigging and replaced it with 1/8" line for winter storage. For many years, we washed the lines in the washer using laundry detergent. The down side is that the lines become very tangled and sometimes yacht brade developes a pull on the cover which can not be fixed. We not put the lines in our jacuzzi with detergent and turn on the jets! Lots of bubbles develop which we throw at each other. The lines come clean and smell nice. Using this technique, our lines last an average of 10-12 years because they're out of service for 5-6 mos a year. Lines that spend most of their lives hidden in the mast are turned end for end at about 6 years.

[tommyt]

The mesh bag will work, but so will a zipped or tied pillow cover as well. Put up to 50' of line in a pillow cover and wash with detergent and fabric softner. Hang to dry. Works great and no major tangles at all.

[bbistis]

First time I jumped into one of these infochats... pretty cool. Thx.

[SailorMitch]

Use mesh bags (can buy them at Wal-Mart, etc. for not much money) to hold the sheets -- leave the line loose in the bags. I wash mine every winter using regular detergent and cold water. It helps them last longer IMHO. Keeps them supple if nothing else. I also put old towels or rags in with them to balance the load during spin cycles. Loosely coil and hang to dry and you're all set.

Oh yeah, I use our home washer, but only when the Admiral is out of the house.

[hellosailor]

Besides the bag or pillowcase?

Use the FRONT-LOADER at the laundromat, and use gentle cycle with whatever options for soaks, etc. you have. There's nothing wrong with coiling & tying or securing the line before you wash it, the water will still get all the way through.

Washing is a good thing, because dirt and salt crystals (from salt water) are just as abrasive as sand, and they cut the lines apart from the inside out.