Winterizing Mooring Lines

[MoonRiver]

A question for the forum. While conducting my normal winterizing I noticed my dock lines have got quit a bit of green algae caked on and in them.

Q) How does everyone clean their mooring & dock lines and anchor rod prior to winter storage?

I use nylon 3 strand for weekly dock lines with snubbers and nylon 3 strand for anchor rod. I also have double braid lines for daily use.

My thoughts are to soak (1hr) them in a tote of mild laundry detergent (NO bleach) and then rinse in fresh water and layout to dry.

All thoughts and practices are welcome.

[Phillbo]

I soak nine in Dawn and then rise and soak them in fabric softener every couple years or so....

[shrew]

I soak in warm water and woolite. Then clean them with a soft brush and then rinse. If you have a front loading washer, you can toss 1-2 in a delicate garment wash bag, then wash them on a delicate cycle. I would do both if there was a lot of growth on the line.

I don't use fabric softener. (Not criticizing anyone who does) My concern is that whatever is softening the fabric could be potentially breaking down the fabric as well. Woolite makes the lines soft.

[MoonRiver]

Dawn is the bomb!!! Every boater should have a bottle of dawn on their boat, in the RV, and in the shop.

Phillbo, yep dawn water and rinse.

[LittleMacV]

A little Dawn, washing machine, and fabric softener does the trick for me. Its good for the line to get the salt and dirt out. I use the pressure washer if algae has caked on. Even a little Mary Kate for growth and stains.

I use a piece of 1/4 inch bungee to pull on the slack to keep it from falling in the water. This keeps the algae off.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by LittleMacV

Even a little Mary Kate for growth and stains.

Mary Kate On & Off hull cleaner's primary active ingredients are Hydrochloric acid and Phosphoric acid. While it's very effective on marine growth, I'm not sure what those acids will do to nylon line over time.

I've had good luck with pressure washing lines as well.