Cleaning docklines

Brian N

Brian N

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Any suggestions for a good method to clean them? I thought of throwing them in the clothes washer, then thought it was probably an unsafe move if the Admiral finds out...

I tossed them in a bucket with a touch of laundry soap and sprayed the heck out of them, letting them sit overnight then I'll give them a good rinse. Good idea? Bad idea?

Throw them out and buy more?
 
I've done mine in the clothes washer with good results

it's a front load model

afterward, soak in fabric softener overnight - this makes a HUGE difference :)

RWS
 
Washing machine, fabric softener put in pillow case
 
I did an over night bucket with laundry soap and fabric softener. Worked well. You could also use a laundry mat machine.
 
RWS said:
I've done mine in the clothes washer with good results

it's a front load model

afterward, soak in fabric softener overnight - this makes a HUGE difference :)

RWS
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Same method for me too, works great
Niles
 
Hmmm, in all my years of boating I've never 'target' washed dock lines. Sometimes, I'm sure, they got soap/water on them as a by-product of washing the salt off the boat. Fish blood and guts probably would not wash out all that easy anyway.
 
Boat covers in the washing machine and car parts in the dishwasher should be done on the down low when the wife is away. I have been caught red handed with both in full swing and it is not a good outcome!
 
Why do you guys fear your wives so much?
 
Bill D. said:
Hmmm, in all my years of boating I've never 'target' washed dock lines. Sometimes, I'm sure, they got soap/water on them as a by-product of washing the salt off the boat. Fish blood and guts probably would not wash out all that easy anyway.
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I made the mistake of leaving them on the boat through the winter, they're pretty funky and stiff. Worth a quick clean...

Phillbo said:
Why do you guys fear your wives so much?
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Fear? No... Desire to maintain peace and tranquility? Yes please...
 
I washed our dock lines in the washing machine once. Never again! At least not without close monitoring. They turned into a huge horrible tangled mess, and they didn't really get very clean. I didn't try fabric softener as I don't use it, so don't have any on hand.
 
I put a line in the washer and it ruined it. I was one of those "slippery" double braided lines. It came out looking totally deranged.
 
Longer lengths of 2” and 3.25” (circumference) double braid nylon get cleaner when you tow them for a bit. Breaks in new heaving lines, too, when they have that waxy coating that new cotton sash cord has.
 
November Charlie said:
Longer lengths of 2” and 3.25” (circumference) double braid nylon get cleaner when you tow them for a bit. Breaks in new heaving lines, too, when they have that waxy coating that new cotton sash cord has.
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Funny, I started to ask that exact thing. Thanks
 
Brian N said:
Any suggestions for a good method to clean them? I thought of throwing them in the clothes washer, then thought it was probably an unsafe move if the Admiral finds out...

I tossed them in a bucket with a touch of laundry soap and sprayed the heck out of them, letting them sit overnight then I'll give them a good rinse. Good idea? Bad idea?

Throw them out and buy more?
Click to expand...
Compared to washing flame arrestor in dishwasher, washing dock lines in the washing machine is tame.
 
While towing braid works, towing long segments of 3-ply twisted can sometimes produce sub-optimal results ( wild twisting ).

YMMV
 
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