UKC

Not really climbing gear, but...I have a trapeze in my garden with some kind of old-fashioned-type rope. Recently it looks like it's got mould growing on it (little black dots).

Hopefully this photo gives an idea:

http://i60.tinypic.com/2gx1uro.jpg

Is there a simple way to clean mould off (or out of?) ropes?

I assume it will affect the strength, as the mould may be eating the rope fibre; does that seem likely?

In reply to humptydumpty:

Its Hawser laid rope alright but it does not look at all old and you can still buy it easily.
Its almost certainly some kind of artificial fibre. Easily confirmed by seeing if it starts to melt with a lighter/match in some discrete part.

There isn't anything you can do to keep mould off rope kept in the outdoors. I doubt it makes any damage/weakness to the rope. Don't forget hundreds of outdoor centres have ropes courses where similar rope is used outside all year round.

The mould is likely to be feeding off detritus caught within the strands. I can;'t see mould - a fungus - eating into the fibres if they are artificial.

In reply to humptydumpty:

Doesn't look that bad to me, but something like:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/fungicidal-wash-4l/invt/600297/?source=123_74&t...

might work. I cannot see that it will affect the rope's strength any anyhow you're not climbing on it.

Thanks for the info, both. Was a bit worried as about to put it in storage for a couple of months, and would prefer not to have a rotting mess when I open it again.

Siward, a trapeze does get climbed on!

In reply to humptydumpty:

Wash it using climbing rope care instructions if you want, but make sure it is totally dry before storage.