Washing Running Rigging

[svjoyeux]

Anybody have experience washing sheets and halyards in a home top-loading washing machine? I should probably daisy-chain them to prevent them from sneaking under the agitator flange at the bottom and breaking something....
Thanks in advance.

[CarstenWL]

... put them in a pillow case / slip.

Carsten

[Jman]

We just do ours in the bath tub. Tried the machine once, shook out a double braid splice, and took hours to untangle. You can do lines with hardware on them to without risking damaging a machine.


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[Jacko]

Hi Rob this is easy just pick up a few of the mesh bags used in normal washing for smalls ( ie socks ect ) they hold your sheets and not only stop them going under flange but stop the amazing tangles. Also use plenty of fabric softener and you will end up with a lot of soft ( like new ) sheets Cheers Jacko

[barnakiel]

Yep, in a bag like a pillow cover etc.

Or else spaghetti.

b.

[Ziggy]

See "New life for old rope?" by Tim Nye, Good Old Boat magazine, July/August 2009. I don't remember all the details, but as I recall he daisy chained the ropes and put them in pillow cases in the washing machine.

[delmarrey]

Use Woolite to wash them. I tied the bitter ends together and used a tumbling washer. They got a little tangled, but nothing the average Joe couldn't handle. if you have end fittings put them in a sock and tie it off, or rubber band it.

Obviously, don't dry them.

Using daisy knots leaves dark spots where the overlaps are.

[Fiveslide]

I've done it at a local laundromat. Didn't want to risk breaking the Marina's small washing machine and didn't have my own.

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[riggear]

I have better success stretch the running rigging out on a clean drive way and pressure washing them



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[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by riggear

I have better success stretch the running rigging out on a clean drive way and pressure washing them



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I used a pressure washer for about a minute. The line stared to Fray.

[svjoyeux]

Thanks everyone...I loosely daisy-chain them then put them in nylon mesh bags I had on the boat. 2 bags/load with work clothes thrown in for balance. No problems with "dark spots". I pre-soak them in a tub for several hours first. Since I don't splice the shackles onto halyards I can simply untie them.

[zboss]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

I used a pressure washer for about a minute. The line stared to Fray.

Yeah - not recommended!

One mesh bag per rope and lots of fabric softener.

I then soaked mine in a mild 303 solution (hoping to help with UV) and let dry...

[Cheechako]

I use woolite and a pillow case. They come out wonderful!