The easy way to clean your rope

A clean rope is a happy rope...

I figured that since yesterday’s tip was about using old ropes, it would only be fitting to talk today about cleaning those old ropes. You know what I hate? I hate my hands being covered in that black nastiness after belying with a dirty rope. Luckily, cleaning a rope is a pretty darn easy thing to do. Here’s how:

Well like I said, it’s simple: Put it in a washing machine and wash it! Do NOT use the type of washing machine that most people have in their houses; the rope will wrap around the plastic agitator thing in the middle and mess it up. Go to a laundromat and use the front-load type washing machines. Don’t put any soap in, and wash it in cold water. [Some people say you can use a mild soap, but I don't really know what a mild soap would be. Washing it without soap gets it clean enough, IMO... Any thoughts?]

I’ve also heard of people putting their ropes in mesh bags and then putting the mesh bag in the washer. I’ve never done it, but it seems that that would probably work well for making sure the rope doesn’t get tangled into one giant knot.

Dry your rope in a place out of direct sunlight. I usually do it in my shower, draping it over the shower rod and/or along the sides of the tub. Works well!

There are other ways to clean a climbing rope. There are special brushes you can attach to a hose, and some people recommend washing it by hand using soap and water. No thanks. That’s way too much work for me. But have you used another method? What worked for you? Have you used the washing machine method?