from www.handmaderope.com
This isn't the ultimate guide to rope maintenance, but it does cover the most important facts about keeping rope healthy. Unless asked not to, we'll try and make a rope able to last a lifetime.
In use:
Sand and especially mud soaking into your rope will cut the fibres on a microscopic level. It is imperative that the soil grains be removed as quickly as possible, or they'll stay in there until they cut their way out.Storing:
Always coil your rope clockwise and uncoil it anti-clockwise. We learned this adjusting the tension on long ropes. For 'S' laid ropes this is reversed. We'll only make an 'S' laid rope if you request it.
Drape your rope around a hanger or on a peg, with no knots in it, as if hanging clothing. Never chain stitch rope or keep it in tight bundles for very long.Cleaning:
For most cleaning, boil your rope for 2 minutes. That's it. DO NOT put natural fibre rope in the washing machine. Many terrible things will happen. For disease control, remember the rule of 2,2, and 2. 2 minutes to boil to kill most germs, 2 hours in the freezer to kill Hep C, or 2 months in quarantine to do the same.Drying:
Air dry your ropes by hanging them up and stretching them with weights. Even a heavy coat hanger will do. You can tell if it's right by tapping on the stretched rope. If it vibrates a bit then it's good. It'll take about two days to dry. After it's dry, it's OK to do the freezer thing.The following steps are optional.
De-fuzzing:
DO NOT use a clothing razor. Use a candle, gas stove or lantern flame to burn off the fuzz. Hold about 5 inches/12 cm between your hands and slowly move the rope towards the side of the flame. Soon the fuzzy bit will burst into flame without burning the rest of the rope. On a candle, this is about an inch away. Rub off the soot when you're done or your rope will darken in colour. You only need to de-fuzz ropes if you want them not to have halos in pictures, or to impress rope snobs. Our ropes come de-fuzzed unless you request otherwise.Oiling:
Oil makes your rope softer and looser. It also aids quick handling. If you use a perishable oil, your rope will perish with the oil. Unfortunately, this rules out the super-traditional Bayu oil. We use Jojoba instead. It won't spoil and it repels humidity. You can use vaseline if you prefer, as it looks better in photographs.
To oil, get your hands coated in the oil of your choice. Then put a dab in the palm of your hand and lightly mush your other palm into that. Grab one end of your rope with two fingers, and lightly close your other hand around the rope and wipe off a bit of the oil. Slide the wiping hand up to the point where you're still gripping with the two fingers of the other hand, and do the two-finger grip. Now, while you're gripping with the formerly wiping hand, wipe with the formerly gripping hand. Instead of bringing your hand up to meet the other one, two-finger grip the rope right there, and start the other hand wiping down. Repeat to the end of the rope.