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Adk
Dec 22, 2008, 2:01 PM
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Kind of odd post here but I just recently got rid of my 1985 top load washing machine. Yeah it still worked and well I thought but we decided to get a more efficient front loader. You know, less water use, less detergent, less power.
Using Woolite my rope is now cleaner than it ever has been before, other than new.
Has anyone ever seen this before?
These front loaders ROCK.....well, clean wonderfully.
I washed all my disgusting slings too!!! Yeah!!!! Yeah!!!!
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nthusiastj
Dec 22, 2008, 3:24 PM
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Yeah, just don't use too much woolite!
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joneus
Dec 22, 2008, 5:52 PM
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I used to work at the SUBASE Gymnasium in Groton & we used to do fun events for the sailors, including a tug-o-war contest in the spring. The rope was huge (3" diameter, 50' long) and it got washed in the huge, commercial front-load washing machine we used to wash the towels. Even after getting caked in mud, it always came out white after a good washing.
Not quite the same as cleaning a climbing rope, but based on that experience, I have to agree with you: front load washers are great!
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Adk
Dec 22, 2008, 6:45 PM
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I used about 1/2 the normal amount of Woolite that I normally would and set the washer on an added rinse cycle.
Groton, I was stationed there for a short period of time.
I couldn't wait to get out of there.
(This post was edited by Adk on Dec 22, 2008, 6:45 PM)
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dkr
Dec 24, 2008, 6:06 PM
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nikwax " tech wash" works better and doesn't mess up the water treatment on ropes. woolite has lanolin in it to help revive the natural repelancy of wool, but not so good for synthetics. woolite is not recommended when treating goretex jackets for instance.
(This post was edited by dkr on Dec 24, 2008, 6:07 PM)
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kovacs69
Dec 24, 2008, 6:30 PM
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Adk wrote: Kind of odd post here but I just recently got rid of my 1985 top load washing machine. Yeah it still worked and well I thought but we decided to get a more efficient front loader. You know, less water use, less detergent, less power. Using Woolite my rope is now cleaner than it ever has been before, other than new. Has anyone ever seen this before? These front loaders ROCK.....well, clean wonderfully. I washed all my disgusting slings too!!! Yeah!!!! Yeah!!!!
I got a front load washer in the spring. Not only does it clean the rope better they take less time to hang dry afterward because the front load washers spin cycle is much, much faster. Usually my ropes would take 3 to 4 days to hang dry but now they take about a day. The front loader is the way to go.
JB
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theclimbergirl
Dec 26, 2008, 4:42 PM
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When I had a front-loader (pout) I didn't even use soap... I just ran the rope through a cycle with extra rinse and they come out great and dry fast. Now, when it's rope washing time I have to bum time at friends' places... but it's totally worth it.
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Adk
Dec 29, 2008, 4:19 PM
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Climbergirl,
I thought about just using water like I do all of my hunting clothing. You know, UV brighteners and smelly stuff is not good for hunting but I decided to add just a tad of soap. Next time I will just use water. It's probably better for the rope anyway.
Hey, if you or anyone else is in the area, even just passing through headed to a crag somewhere and need to wash a rope I'm sure my wife won't mind. A wash only takes an hour and you will be on your way.
Adk
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theclimbergirl
Dec 29, 2008, 4:38 PM
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HA!
Thanks for the generous offer... I appreciate it! Was just daydreaming about a Gunks trip... ;)
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Bats
Dec 29, 2008, 5:36 PM
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I would use something more gentler than Woolite like Baby Soap(Ivory) or Eco Soap, less harsh chemicals, Woolite is not gentle on silk,and nylon, also known as synthetic silk, would react similar. In fashion school, the instructor was dead against the use of Woolite because of the harsh chemicals.
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vegastradguy
Dec 29, 2008, 6:18 PM
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Bats wrote: I would use something more gentler than Woolite like Baby Soap(Ivory) or Eco Soap, less harsh chemicals, Woolite is not gentle on silk,and nylon, also known as synthetic silk, would react similar. In fashion school, the instructor was dead against the use of Woolite because of the harsh chemicals.
the only chemical in woolite that is not so good for ropes is the lanolin- which isnt necessarily bad for them, it just sort of puts a slick coating on the rope- but does nothing to it structurally.
i chatted with sterling at the OR show, and they recommend any tech wash like Nikwax or of course, their own Wicked Good rope wash and to stay way from detergent based soaps.
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oldsalt
Dec 29, 2008, 6:24 PM
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vegastradguy wrote: ...i chatted with sterling at the OR show, and they recommend any tech wash like Nikwax or of course, their own Wicked Good rope wash and to stay way from detergent based soaps.
I completely agree.
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USnavy
Dec 30, 2008, 2:53 AM
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Or just don’t use soap at all. I have washed my ropes with and without soap and the ropes I washed with soap were no cleaner then those washed without soap. :)
(This post was edited by USnavy on Dec 30, 2008, 2:54 AM)
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ptlong
Dec 30, 2008, 7:27 PM
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No soap, hot water, top loader.
Works for me.
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vegastradguy
Dec 30, 2008, 8:18 PM
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ptlong wrote: No soap, hot water, top loader. Works for me.
for those unfamiliar with washing a rope in a top loader- make sure to stick it in a bag or something, lest the rope become coiled around the agitator and destroy itself and your washing machine...
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reno
Dec 30, 2008, 8:36 PM
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Pillow cases work well as bags for top loaders. Just be sure to tie the opening of the pillow case shut... tightly.
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ptlong
Dec 30, 2008, 9:12 PM
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A bag works but you have to keep resetting the machine during the spin since it will be unbalanced. What I do is to make an electrician's coil.
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klong
Jan 8, 2009, 3:10 AM
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hey the electricians coil is a good idea for top loaders. Or even the front loaders for that matter.
Also I would recomend you tie the tails together so you don't have a knotted mess afterwards.
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Adk
Jan 8, 2009, 11:46 AM
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It sure is. It keeps it all organized and it makes it easy to deal with after the wash.
In the end it makes your 60m rope into about a 15 foot chain.
Linky, linky for those of you that have no clue what it looks like or how to tie it.
http://www.mtadventure.com/...tter/daisy-chain.jpg
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chossmonkey
Jan 8, 2009, 1:02 PM
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Adk wrote: It sure is. It keeps it all organized and it makes it easy to deal with after the wash. In the end it makes your 60m rope into about a 15 foot chain. Linky, linky for those of you that have no clue what it looks like or how to tie it. http://www.mtadventure.com/...tter/daisy-chain.jpg
Untangling a rope after washing is no fun.
I'd have never thought about how much better a front loader would work but it makes sense. It has been years since I have used anything other than a top loader. Somday we will get a front load, someday........
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Adk
Jan 8, 2009, 1:35 PM
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Choss,
Not only is it easier on rope but my wife and I just looked at our electric bill. Between the new washer and front loader electric dryer we have saved over 20% per month on our electric bill.
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chossmonkey
Jan 8, 2009, 6:10 PM
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Adk wrote: Choss, Not only is it easier on rope but my wife and I just looked at our electric bill. Between the new washer and front loader electric dryer we have saved over 20% per month on our electric bill.
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Adk
Jan 8, 2009, 8:38 PM
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NO, natural gas. But we wash everything in cold unless it's my very dirty work clothes.
Hoping to put solar h2O as well as a few PV panels on the roof in the next few years....Hoping......
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