Cleaning Kinetic Rope
- Thread starter fishEH
- Start date
Eventhough
Explorer
I typically soak them in warm water for a looong time when they are really dirty, moving them around with my hands for a little "washing machine" action. Replace the water several times if they are really dirty. I've replaced dirty water over half a dozen times before. You can add some light detergent such as Woolite but most of the time some warm water serves me well. While these lines are tough and some heavier soap and even some direct water action done correctly wouldn't hurt I haven't needed to go that far before. Once clean lay them out in the sun to dry - rotating and flipping several times because the line is thick and needs help drying.
montecarlo31
New member
I had that happen a few times as well and the funk was killing me when I opened my toolbox. I finally would just stretch it from the ball of one truck to the ball of another (so there was sag but it wasn't touching the ground if that makes sense? Then I would use my garden hose and wash it, then rotate it and wash it again then I would let it dry hanging in the garage looped on the end of the garage door tracks. I didn't want to keep it outside in the nasty FL sun to be broken down by UV light.
Note my is like 2" by 30' so not sure if the extra thickness hurt me more than you?
Note my is like 2" by 30' so not sure if the extra thickness hurt me more than you?
RangeBrover
Explorer
This is almost exactly what I do, I'll usually let it soak first in a bucket of water with some dawn dish soap for a day. Then I'll lay it down on my driveway and hose it out a few times on each side. I'm not to worried about the UV exposure though because I like my dry in the sun.
jimi breeze
jimi breeze
be careful of the dry dirt inside the rope. It will act as an abrasive and micro-cut the rope fibers weakening the breaking strength.
RangeBrover
Explorer
Good idea, I never considered this. Now I just have to explain to the wife why I've got 30ft of strap in her washer.
cnynrat
Expedition Leader
Basically, this is the way I've cleaned canyoneering ropes that come home grungy. I use a big plastic trash can as I'm usually dealing with something much longer than 30'.
I'd be concerned that something like a pressure washer could drive dirt deeper into the rope, and as already mentioned grit inside the rope is bad news.
fredgoodsell
Adventurer
For ropes I usually use a clean garbage can and some simple green. Agitate a little, rinse real well.
Eventhough
Explorer
I don't recommend using harsh cleaners like degreasers. Chemicals can damage rope fibers depending on the manufacture of the rope.
RangeBrover
Explorer
Not familiar with simple green, but I've been using Dawn Dish Soap with out I'll effect for at least 10 years.
Eventhough
Explorer
Dawn might be OK, it isn't crazy harsh. You often can't see the damage done to the fibers of line by chemicals.
fredgoodsell
Adventurer
Simple Green is marketed as non-toxic and biodegradable. Also, if you buy the fancy expensive "rope cleaner" products from many of the climbing companies, they actually have the same ingredients (in fact, the exact same MSDS) as Simple Green.
Costman13
Adventurer
Lots of fresh water. No cleaners needed. We usually camel back the line over an object (such as a fence, or in my case, life lines on a boat), and use a hose at full pressure to wash the crud out of it. Leave it high enough off the ground as not to pick any new debris up. Do this several times and you will be amazed at how much dirt comes out of it. Also they tend to dry much better when hanging.
These "kinetic" lines are nothing more than double braided nylon / polyester mooring line, used quite commonly on boats. There is no need for special cleaners and the like, IMHO.
These "kinetic" lines are nothing more than double braided nylon / polyester mooring line, used quite commonly on boats. There is no need for special cleaners and the like, IMHO.