UKC

Has anyone ever washed a rope in a washing machine but just used the normal 40 degree spin cycle? Yes I know that a more delicate cycle is probably best practice but surely it can't be that much of an issue?

In reply to monsoon:

I just put mine in a pillowcase to minimise tangles.

I use a slow spin though, more because i am worried about damage to the drum from the heavy lump inside.

In reply to monsoon:

Yes, I just stick in in with no soap, having first coiled it by that "kinky" method to stop it getting tangled. Works fine.

In reply to PaulW:

Its the spin thing I'm wondering about. A good spin gets a good amount of the water out. Can't really see how spinning a rope in a machine as a one-off is going to do any damage that actually makes a difference on the crag as opposed to in a test lab.

In reply to monsoon: Id be more worried about the damage you'll do to the washing machine by spinning the rope rather than air drying it

 

In reply to PaulW:

I'd have thought a wet rope doesn't weigh much different to a full load of wet clothes

In reply to monsoon:

Certainly not way more.

 

In reply to john arran:

doh

In reply to monsoon:

I’ve always done it on a cold rinse and spin cycle. Dries much quicker than not spinning.  I always daisy chain the rope first so it doesn’t tangle but never used a pillowcase. It always worries me that grit and sand on the rope can’t really get out of a pillowcase 

In reply to monsoon:

Cold was, no soap, full spin, no bag.  Sort the tangles out later, but it wasn't that bad.

 

No worries.

I don't think using soap is a good idea, you have no idea of what is might do to the rope or it's handling.

In reply to monsoon:

Wet clothes distribute themselves in the drum, a rope doesn't.

In reply to monsoon:

A wet rope distributes itself if its daisy chained. On spin all clothes stick to the edge, a wet rope prob less so

In reply to monsoon:

Before washing the rope daisy chain it so it is easier to handle and doesn't tangle due to the spin. 

Method demo'd here: 

http://www.animatedknots.com/chainsinnet/index.php 

 

Do you get rope safe softener?

 

I might try regular softener on my retired static rope, see if it becomes less steel cable like.

In reply to StuMsg:

Just washing it should do that.

In reply to monsoon:

Bear in mind that if you've had your machine a while it will almost certainly harbour detergent residues which will kill dry treatment.

In reply to monsoon:

I have some Beal rope cleaner, never actually tried it yet, but the instructions say: 

Slip the harness or rope loosely into a pillowcase. Put 75ml of rope cleaner into the Machine,  regulated to 30c maximum, without spin drying. 

Drying should be done naturally,  for example by hanging on a line, whilst avoiding exposure to bright sunlight.

 

Avoid contact with eyes!

 

Nikwax do a rope reproofing liquid if you require water repellency. 

In reply to monsoon:

I coil mine daisy chain style then wash gently in a domestic machine.

I would recommend AGAINST using a launderette. The one time I used one, the rope centrifuged itself to the top and a loop got caught between the drum and the outer and burnt right through the mantle. You don’t want that.