How to clean your ropes from cragging outside

If you want to ensure your indoor rock climbing safety, you must know how to properly take care of and clean your ropes. In this article, one of our newest IEW expert witnesses, Pete Stacey, is giving you all the needed tips to wash your ropes.

The rope on the left in the photo is a dirty one and the rope on the right is a clean one – can you see any massive difference? Most probably not, because the dirt creeps up without you being aware. This is a rope from a climbing wall. Are you aware of how clean are your ropes from cragging outside? Here are a few tips on how to wash them:

You can either wash your ropes by hand or put them into an old pillow case, and wash them in the washing machine. You must choose 30°C and a gentle program (Wool). But note the following! Under no circumstance should you spin or put the rope into the tumble drier! Therefore, in order to make sure your indoor climbing safety is respected, keep this in mind when cleaning your ropes:

• Lukewarm water
• ph neutral pure soap flakes or special rope wash
• Maximum 30°C, wool program
• Do not spin
• Do not put in tumble drier!
• Dry lying, not hanging
• Dry in a cool, dark place
• Wait until rope is thoroughly dried

If you have any questions regarding indoor rock climbing safety and ropes or if you need expert witness advice on a case, please do not hesitate to contact our Expert Witnesses on 0117 986 2194 or at enquiries@iew.org.uk.

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