

Once the water has deepened to a shade of black so dark and murky that you can no longer see through it, go ahead and drain the rancid mud-water into a swirling tornado of nostalgia, making sure the end of your rope doesn’t get sucked into the vortex of your drain.įill, wash, rinse, repeat. The chemicals in detergents could have a negative impact on the quality of the rope, which is not something you want to risk. I’m going to stick with the ones who know best and reiterate their message - do not use any cleaning product that is not specifically designed for climbing gear to wash your rope.

Most experts will tell you to never, ever use any kind of detergent or soap on your rope, no matter how mild. The jury is out on the best way to wash your climbing rope - do you throw it in the washing machine or wash it by hand? Should you use soap or not? If yes, what kind of soap should you use?Įvery expert has a different opinion, but there are a few key considerations to keep in mind when trying to decide which method to use to clean your personal lifeline. If you’re confident your rope is in good condition and any present dirt or grime is superficial build-up from years of use without washing it, it’s time to think about how you want to go about cleaning. If you have any doubt about the integrity of your rope, don’t take the risk. If this sounds interesting to you, you might be interested in this product.To inspect your rope for abrasions or soft spots, simply run your hands along its length as you flake it (preferably onto a smooth, dry surface) and pay attention to any anomalies you notice along the way.Ī bit of fuzzing here and there or some dirt from your last day at the crag is acceptable, but if you notice an excessively rough or fuzzy spot, make sure to pay attention.Īlso feel for any soft or spongy spots in your rope - that could indicate a shot core.

heat, abrasion, or friction burns have melted or visibly damaged the rope.there are significant axial and/or radial bulges and deformations (e.g.It's important to replace a rope if it has been subjected to extreme forces or if it is damaged. In particular, difficult handling or a worn sheath should make it clear to the safety-conscious user that it's time to replace a rope. It's not possible to provide exact values for rope lifespan. If you use your rope on a very regular basis and it takes lots of falls, we advise you to downgrade it to toprope use only after one year.

A rope that is only used occasionally and stored carefully can provide three to six years of service. At the very latest they should be replaced after ten years as synthetic fibers deteriorate over time. Ropes deteriorate even when they are not used.
