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Author Topic:   Cleaning & storing lines used in saltwater

Hines Pointer posted 10-24-2008 07:25 PM ET (US)
I must apologize. I think I read here or in a boating magazine the best way to clean lines used on one's boat in saltwater, but I couldn't pull up a posting in search here.
So here's my question. What's the best solution to soak lines in and for how long to insure they'll be uncomprimized in strength and wear, clean and limber, and ready for another season?
Thanks for any suggestions.

tedious posted 10-24-2008 09:49 PM ET (US)
Unless they're really muddy or covered with weed or something, just hang them up in a dry spot and forget about it. Fresh water mildews and salt water doesn't, so you're better off not even rinsing them.
If you're determined to clean them, use Woolite and warm water - very gentle.
Tim
macfam posted 10-24-2008 11:06 PM ET (US)
To re-condition lines, soak in water with fabric softener added. Then let dry thoroughly before storage.
swist posted 10-25-2008 08:18 AM ET (US)
I always thought that nylon lines were one of the few things you could totally ignore on your boat, as I have been doing for 30 years of saltwater boating.
I'm sure if I look at the thousands of specialized cleaning supplies at West Marine I'd probably find yet another $12.99 bottle of something they thing I need, but in this case I think I'll pass.
Hines Pointer posted 10-25-2008 10:27 AM ET (US)
Many thanks for your suggestions.
pglein posted 10-31-2008 11:08 AM ET (US)
If your goal is simply to get the stiffness out after exposure to saltwater, hose them off while you're rinsing the rest of the boat, then hang them to dry as you normally would. If they've got light dirt or grime, run them through the washing machine set to cold/cold. A front loading machine is preferred, but be prepared to spend time untangling them regardless. No need to run them through the dryer, could cause damage if they get too hot.
If they're extremely soiled, like they've been submerged for a long time and have accumulated growth, first physically strip the growth from the line, then run them through the washer as described above, but with some detergent. This is not good for the lines, but if the lines would otherwise be discarded, then you can potentially bring them back for a second life.
David Jenkins posted 06-08-2009 11:48 AM ET (US)
I'm tempted to use hot water and clorox. Has someone done this and been sorry?
HAPPYJIM posted 06-08-2009 06:01 PM ET (US)
The washing machine on gentle worked wonders on my lines. Hang up to dry.
crabby posted 06-08-2009 06:42 PM ET (US)
Bleach (diluted, start weak then add more if you must) and water, give it a couple of days to soak, rinse with either strong garden hose or power washer if you are inclined. I just did that to a bunch of lines I had that were loaded with algae and stains, they came out pretty good (three strand twisted nylon, most were 1/2 inch some were smaller). The lines I use on a regular basis get a quick rinse once in a long while (as in when I notice that I have hauled a lot of mud or muck into the boat with them). I have never noticed issues with my bottom tackle or dock lines being exposed to salt water.
pglein posted 06-08-2009 07:04 PM ET (US)
I've found the best solution for stained lines is buy them in black. You'll never deal with ugly lines again.
SpongeBob posted 06-08-2009 10:07 PM ET (US)
I'm with you pglien mine are black to. I've cleaned sails and running rigging by letting them soak in a swimming pool.
Jeff

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Author	Topic: Cleaning & storing lines used in saltwater
Hines Pointer	posted 10-24-2008 07:25 PM ET (US) I must apologize. I think I read here or in a boating magazine the best way to clean lines used on one's boat in saltwater, but I couldn't pull up a posting in search here. So here's my question. What's the best solution to soak lines in and for how long to insure they'll be uncomprimized in strength and wear, clean and limber, and ready for another season? Thanks for any suggestions.
tedious	posted 10-24-2008 09:49 PM ET (US) Unless they're really muddy or covered with weed or something, just hang them up in a dry spot and forget about it. Fresh water mildews and salt water doesn't, so you're better off not even rinsing them. If you're determined to clean them, use Woolite and warm water - very gentle. Tim
macfam	posted 10-24-2008 11:06 PM ET (US) To re-condition lines, soak in water with fabric softener added. Then let dry thoroughly before storage.
swist	posted 10-25-2008 08:18 AM ET (US) I always thought that nylon lines were one of the few things you could totally ignore on your boat, as I have been doing for 30 years of saltwater boating. I'm sure if I look at the thousands of specialized cleaning supplies at West Marine I'd probably find yet another $12.99 bottle of something they thing I need, but in this case I think I'll pass.
Hines Pointer	posted 10-25-2008 10:27 AM ET (US) Many thanks for your suggestions.
pglein	posted 10-31-2008 11:08 AM ET (US) If your goal is simply to get the stiffness out after exposure to saltwater, hose them off while you're rinsing the rest of the boat, then hang them to dry as you normally would. If they've got light dirt or grime, run them through the washing machine set to cold/cold. A front loading machine is preferred, but be prepared to spend time untangling them regardless. No need to run them through the dryer, could cause damage if they get too hot. If they're extremely soiled, like they've been submerged for a long time and have accumulated growth, first physically strip the growth from the line, then run them through the washer as described above, but with some detergent. This is not good for the lines, but if the lines would otherwise be discarded, then you can potentially bring them back for a second life.
David Jenkins	posted 06-08-2009 11:48 AM ET (US) I'm tempted to use hot water and clorox. Has someone done this and been sorry?
HAPPYJIM	posted 06-08-2009 06:01 PM ET (US) The washing machine on gentle worked wonders on my lines. Hang up to dry.
crabby	posted 06-08-2009 06:42 PM ET (US) Bleach (diluted, start weak then add more if you must) and water, give it a couple of days to soak, rinse with either strong garden hose or power washer if you are inclined. I just did that to a bunch of lines I had that were loaded with algae and stains, they came out pretty good (three strand twisted nylon, most were 1/2 inch some were smaller). The lines I use on a regular basis get a quick rinse once in a long while (as in when I notice that I have hauled a lot of mud or muck into the boat with them). I have never noticed issues with my bottom tackle or dock lines being exposed to salt water.
pglein	posted 06-08-2009 07:04 PM ET (US) I've found the best solution for stained lines is buy them in black. You'll never deal with ugly lines again.
SpongeBob	posted 06-08-2009 10:07 PM ET (US) I'm with you pglien mine are black to. I've cleaned sails and running rigging by letting them soak in a swimming pool. Jeff