Hi from Auckland New Zealand.

Quiet One · 29-02-2008, 02:18

Great to discover this site, Interesting discussions,
and plenty of good tips.
Question. What are some methods for cleaning
& softening synthetic sheets ropes etc.
To large for home washing machine.
Any special chemicals available.
Cheers Ian.

**GordMay** · 29-02-2008, 04:19

Ropes should be washed by hand, in cold water with a mild soap (avoid detergents), rinsed free of the soap, and then spread out or hung up to dry in the air.
Avoid direct sunlight, do not use a dryer, and do not place the rope above a heat source.
Alternatively, you can put the rope in a pillow case or mesh washing bag, and use a commercial front loading machine with cold water only.
Make sure to rinse thoroughly.
Small amounts of fabric softener may be used to give better flexibility and a softer hand as a rope stiffens with use.
Although it’s recommended that rope be air dried away from direct sunlight, it will not harm a rope to store it wet.
DO NOT USE BLEACH OR BLEACH SUBSTITUTES, nor any compounds containing acids, alkalies, detergents, nor oxidizing agents.

swagman · 01-03-2008, 10:39

Hi Quiet One,
Most people forget some hardness in older lines comes from accumulated salt crystals. So before you go and follow Gords good advice on washing and drying them - try trailing them behind the boat whilst underway for 30 minutes or so.
Cheers
John

SkiprJohn · 01-03-2008, 11:34

Aloha Ian,
Welcome aboard!
Gord's advice is always good. The do not use bleach caution is very important. I had a bunch of line stored in a shed for years and rats moved in. I didn't even want to touch the line when I dragged it out of the shed. I threw it in a large container of water with some bleach for just a few minutes. It was a big mistake. Even with lots of rinsing and drying in the sun for a few days the line had deteriorated to the point where it broke in sections from just a small bit of strain. Once line has touched bleach it shouldn't be trusted.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

Steve Pope · 01-03-2008, 15:39

There are sport wash "liquid soaps" that don't leave sulphates and other residues behind, I have used them for years on Motorcycle jackets that have Gore-tex or Thinsulate linings that stop working if washed with normal detergents.
The current one I have is Sport-Wash made by Sno-Seal, I bought it from Motormail in Auckland. I imagine it would be good on stiff sheets and ropes.

the5 · 01-03-2008, 18:11

We use these PVC rope scrubbers hooked upto a hose to clean our caving ropes. I wouldn't use any chemicals or detergents.

Inner Mountain Outfitters

These are pretty cheap and easy to make on your own.

Quiet One · 01-03-2008, 23:44

Hi Steve,
Will try your suggested product thanks. Am trying a synthetic carpet
cleaner on half of an old halyard, soaking for 24hrs and rinsing.Will test
both halves for comparative strengths.

29-02-2008, 02:18	#1
Quiet One Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Auckland N.Z. Boat: Roberts 55 Ketch Ouiet One Posts: 2	Hi from Auckland New Zealand. Great to discover this site, Interesting discussions, and plenty of good tips. Question. What are some methods for cleaning & softening synthetic sheets ropes etc. To large for home washing machine. Any special chemicals available. Cheers Ian.

29-02-2008, 04:19	#2
GordMay Administrator Site Administrator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 9,339 Images: 230	Ropes should be washed by hand, in cold water with a mild soap (avoid detergents), rinsed free of the soap, and then spread out or hung up to dry in the air. Avoid direct sunlight, do not use a dryer, and do not place the rope above a heat source. Alternatively, you can put the rope in a pillow case or mesh washing bag, and use a commercial front loading machine with cold water only. Make sure to rinse thoroughly. Small amounts of fabric softener may be used to give better flexibility and a softer hand as a rope stiffens with use. Although it’s recommended that rope be air dried away from direct sunlight, it will not harm a rope to store it wet. DO NOT USE BLEACH OR BLEACH SUBSTITUTES, nor any compounds containing acids, alkalies, detergents, nor oxidizing agents. __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"

01-03-2008, 10:39	#3
swagman Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On the yacht half the year - in the New Forest UK the other half. Boat: Hanse 461 Swagman Posts: 1,113 Images: 5	Hi Quiet One, Most people forget some hardness in older lines comes from accumulated salt crystals. So before you go and follow Gords good advice on washing and drying them - try trailing them behind the boat whilst underway for 30 minutes or so. Cheers John __________________ Read our boring cruising blog via http://www.yotblog.com/swagman/2274/

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Auckland metal shop?	brian and clare	Construction, Maintenance & Refit	0	21-08-2007 15:07
New Zealand Cat one	Alchemist	Rules of the Road, Regulations & Red Tape	76	15-07-2007 17:08
Catamarans New Zealand	RandyAbernethy	Multihull Sailboats	54	29-10-2006 08:54
Mexico - New Zealand	GordMay	Pacific Ocean & the South China Sea	1	20-11-2005 07:33
Catamarans to New Zealand	redtwin	Multihull Sailboats	0	02-06-2005 23:34

01-03-2008, 11:34	#4
SkiprJohn Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kea'au, Big Island, Hawaii Boat: Cascade, Cutter, 42 - "Casual" Posts: 3,726	Aloha Ian, Welcome aboard! Gord's advice is always good. The do not use bleach caution is very important. I had a bunch of line stored in a shed for years and rats moved in. I didn't even want to touch the line when I dragged it out of the shed. I threw it in a large container of water with some bleach for just a few minutes. It was a big mistake. Even with lots of rinsing and drying in the sun for a few days the line had deteriorated to the point where it broke in sections from just a small bit of strain. Once line has touched bleach it shouldn't be trusted. Kind Regards, JohnL

01-03-2008, 15:39	#5
Steve Pope Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maungaturoto, New Zealand only 10 minutes from the Kaipara harbour, it is a tidal harbour with one of the largest shore lines in the Southern hemisphere, no shortage of sand banks though. Boat: Trismus 37 (alloy) built in 1976 or 1986 depending on who you talk to! Posts: 452	There are sport wash "liquid soaps" that don't leave sulphates and other residues behind, I have used them for years on Motorcycle jackets that have Gore-tex or Thinsulate linings that stop working if washed with normal detergents. The current one I have is Sport-Wash made by Sno-Seal, I bought it from Motormail in Auckland. I imagine it would be good on stiff sheets and ropes.

01-03-2008, 18:11	#6
the5 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 14	We use these PVC rope scrubbers hooked upto a hose to clean our caving ropes. I wouldn't use any chemicals or detergents. Inner Mountain Outfitters These are pretty cheap and easy to make on your own.

01-03-2008, 23:44	#7
Quiet One Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Auckland N.Z. Boat: Roberts 55 Ketch Ouiet One Posts: 2	Hi Steve, Will try your suggested product thanks. Am trying a synthetic carpet cleaner on half of an old halyard, soaking for 24hrs and rinsing.Will test both halves for comparative strengths.