How To Clean Boat Lines

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: Jun 24, 2011

: 14

Beneteau 331 Penetanguishine

Any effective methods? Soak in bleach? Any suggestion is appreciated!

: Sep 25, 2008

: 6,309

Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida

Laundry soap and fabric softener and put the lines in a bag or pillow case

: Jan 15, 2011

: 286

Oday 272 Waukegan, IL, Sarasota, FL

Try Bleache White. It's available at all automotive stores and most Ace Hardware stores. Originally designed for White Wall Tires. I use the stuff full strength out of the spray bottle on a DRY surface. I use it on my fenders, Plastic patio furniture, grill, stainless steel, rub rail, teak, and Top Sides. Try it and you'll see what I mean!

: Apr 27, 2010

: 929

Beneteau 352 Hull #276 Ontario

According to Practical Sailor Tests:

Bleach is not recommended by any manufacturer in any quantity. Every manufacturer has faced claims of rope failure or splice failure caused by a bleach overdose. Extended soaking in bleach solutions must be avoided.

You can see the complete review in the July 2011 issue.

: Jun 7, 2007

: 515

Hunter 320 Williamsburg

Best wash

Take them to a laundramat and use the industrial stainless steel tubs. They can clean anything, including life preservers because they won't float in the water.

: Mar 14, 2012

: 131

Beneteau Oceanis 40CC Brisbane, CA

Hmmmm.... I wonder if my front load home washer would work for my main sheets.

: Dec 1, 1999

: 2,391

Hunter 28.5 Chesapeake Bay

I clean mine by laying them out in long loops on my concrete driveway and using a 1600 psi power washer. Kills two birds with one stone as you get the driveway clean, too.

: Feb 26, 2004

: 21,945

Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada

: Jan 24, 2009

: 400

Hunter 22 Groton

I do a combination of part bleach (1 cup/gallon) part clothes detergent (2 cups) soak in a 5 gallon bucket for 6-12 hrs, then hose down the line(s) and scrub with stiff brushes on 5' poles...after all that, I lay the line(s) out in the sun (ultraviolet treatment) for not less than 24 hours (turning over at the 1/2 way point), then hose down again.

: Apr 8, 2010

: 1,600

Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT

I do a combination of part bleach (1 cup/gallon) part clothes detergent (2 cups) soak in a 5 gallon bucket for 6-12 hrs, then hose down the line(s) and scrub with stiff brushes on 5' poles...after all that, I lay the line(s) out in the sun (ultraviolet treatment) for not less than 24 hours (turning over at the 1/2 way point), then hose down again.

In case you missed it, ALL line manufacturers say to avoid all uses of bleach, and UV is bad for your lines. That's why most high strength high tech lines have a sacrificial sheath on the outside to protect the structural inner core from UV.

: Jan 24, 2009

: 400

Hunter 22 Groton

In case you missed it, ALL line manufacturers say to avoid all uses of bleach, and UV is bad for your lines. That's why most high strength high tech lines have a sacrificial sheath on the outside to protect the structural inner core from UV.

Yes, not missed. thank you.

It's an acceptable risk for me, as I keep a visual inspection on the status of my lines, and decide from that. YOU DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. Technical evaluations, empirical data, and shared experiences considered, I make the final choice. 10Q

: Feb 26, 2004

: 21,945

Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada

I do a combination of part bleach (1 cup/gallon) part clothes detergent (2 cups) soak in a 5 gallon bucket for 6-12 hrs, then hose down the line(s) and scrub with stiff brushes on 5' poles...after all that, I lay the line(s) out in the sun (ultraviolet treatment) for not less than 24 hours (turning over at the 1/2 way point), then hose down again.

WADR, that's a "heavily labor intensive" way to do something a lot simpler as suggested by others.

Bleach? Sure, do it your way, it's your boat and your lines. But, I gotta tell ya, there have been many, many times when we've written:

DON'T SAY WE DIDN'T WARN YOU!!!

: Apr 8, 2010

: 1,600

Frers 33 41426 Westport, CT

Yes, not missed. thank you.
It's an acceptable risk for me, as I keep a visual inspection on the status of my lines, and decide from that. YOU DECIDE FOR YOURSELF. Technical evaluations, empirical data, and shared experiences considered, I make the final choice. 10Q

Bleach can chemically alter the core of the line to become weaker, not something you can inspect visually. UV degredation on the other hand does usually have aspects you can often identify visually.

EDIT: "What Stu Said"...

: Jan 24, 2009

: 400

Hunter 22 Groton

Your warning is noted and accepted.

: Nov 23, 2011

: 2,022

MacGregor 26D London Ontario Canada

I cant believe how timely all the topics are on this site.
I would stay away from the power washer. I wrecked my dagger bourd one and the safety too! 2200 psi and a quick pass...done. They were green though. Were once white I think.
Don't use the laundry mat close to my house. That's where I wash all my drop sheets. The liquid fabric softener works great with any detergent.
I will be trying the pillow case trick.

: Jan 24, 2009

: 400

Hunter 22 Groton

I mainly use this method on my mooring pendants .. hence not easily "laundered" in a pillow case/standard laundry process, but elect NOT to disassemble the thimble/loop and go for "cleaning with inspection" of my pendants and then change out the pendants as needed on an alternating year/period basis.

: Sep 25, 2008

: 177

Islander (Wayfarer/McGlasson) 32 St Georges Harbor

Is it that important that the lines be sparkling white? If they're old and stiff, a wash with a gentle detergent and maybe some fabric softener will remove embedded dirt, extend their life and improve their "hand". A pillow case in a wash machine prevents tangling and snags. If you've got thimbles and such, put 'em in a trash can and stir it around with a paddle. If they're a little grey when they come out of the wash, who cares. It's not a fashion show.

But hey, it's your money.

: Jan 24, 2009

: 400

Hunter 22 Groton

OBTW, Nylon IS UV resistant...you must be thinking of polypropylene which degrades under UV exposure.

: Jul 19, 2011

: 60

Chaser 29, Oday 23, Port Elgin, Ontario

Wow! Intense discussion! I just did the power washer in the driveway trick. Simple, safe, cheap

: Jun 1, 2004

: 7,443

Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego

My dock lines become stiff and brittle from exposure before they get dirty.

The best way to take care of your sheets is to store then in the boat when not sailing.

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