Some guidelines to care of gear

Rope (dynamic)
The working life depends on the frequency and the type of use.
The mechanical demands, the abrasion, UV exposure and humidity gradually degrade the properties of the rope.

Average Length of life:
- intensive and daily use: 3 to 6 months
- use every week-end: 2 to 3 years
- occasional use: 4 to 5 years

The rope must be retired earlier:
- if it has held a major fall, approaching fall factor 2
- if inspection reveals or even indicates damage to the core
- if the sheath is very worn
- if it has been in contact with any active or dangerous chemicals

In any case the actual working life of the rope should never exceed 5 years. The combined storage and usage lifetime must never exceed 10 years. Note that with use, a rope thickens and thus loses (up to 5%) length

Must not be allowed contact with chemical agents, particularly acids, oils or petrol, which may destroy the fibres without viable evidence.

Avoid unnecessary exposure to UV, store in a cool, shaded place, away from dampness and direct heat.

After each use inspect the rope visually and manually along its length

Cleaning
If rope is dirty, it may be washed in clear cold water, if necessary with a washing agent designed for delicate textiles, avoid the dryer, string it up in a shady place or flake it out on a clean floor and let the water evaporate naturally

Use
Protect against sharp edges, stone fall, iceaxes, crampons,
Never step on it
Rubbing together of 2 ropes through karabiners or maillons induces heat which would result in rupture Doubling the rope for abseiling or top roping from the base of a pitch must be through a karabiner or a maillion rapide:-
not through slings
not over branches
not through the eye of piton or hanger

Avoid over-rapid abseiling or lowering which could burn the rope and accelerate sheath wear. The melting temperature of polyamide is 230ºC. This temperature may be attained during very rapid descents.

Do not switch the role of karabiners. Reserve some exclusively for running the rope through, and use different ones for clipping anchors. The latter use may score the karabiner, leading to deterioration of any rope, running through it.

Check there are no burrs or snags on karabiners or descenders

When affected by water or ice the rope becomes much more sensitive to abrasion and loses strength, redouble your precautions.

If fallen on a rope it should be given time to recover – at least 10 minutes. If possible untie and re-tie any knots in the rope which have tightened up and so lost their ability to absorb energy. [page]

Harness
It is recommended to inspect your harness before or after each use for signs of wear and damage. Retire a harness immediately if:
there is any kind of rip or hole in the webbing;
the webbing is burnt, singed or melted;
there are any torn threads, or heavy abrasion to the webbing;
bar tacks are abraded or showing wear;
the buckle is cracked, have a burr or is damaged or deformed in any way;
webbing has faded from exposure to UV light.

Cleaning
Can be machine washed in warm water on a gentle cycle. Use mild soap only. Drip dry in a shady place. [page]

Slings

Cleaning
Same as for harness, but place in a suitable bag first to protect against mechanical damage.

Disinfecting
Suitable disinfectant: containing quaternary ammonium compounds reinforced with chlorohexidine (eg Savlon) in sufficient quantifies to be effective. Soak product for one hour at dilutions recommend for general use using tap water not exceeding 20ºC, then rinse thoroughly with clean cold water. Dry slowly away from direct heat. [page]

Karabiners
both cleaning and lubrication are especially recommended after every use in a marine environment

Cleaning
If soiled rinse in clean warm water (max temp 40ºC) with mild detergent. Wipe of excess moisture with a clean cloth and then dry naturally away from direct heat.

Lubrication
Lubricate the gate mechanism with a silicone based lubricant only. This should be carried out after cleaning.

Disinfection
Same as for slings

The above information was taken from the various instructions/guides received with equipment purchased.