Tow strap care question...

[johnlv6]

Newb question...I used my tow strap for the first time tonight. I sprayed off the strap pretty well to get all the mud/crap out of it. Is there anything else i need to do (ex. use soap and water) or will that take care of it? Thanks.

John

Yes, i got stuck :D.

[HaleYes]

I give mine a very liberal spraying down with the garden hose. Both sides. I just set it in the sun to let it dry.

[johnlv6]

Cool. I had to hang mine up in the garage. I live in an apartment, otherwise i could just leave it outside.

[badron]

Keep it out of the sun when not needed. Keep oil/grease off it. A little soap and water will do it no harm.

[Rob Mayercik]

How about tossing it in the washing machine (so long as it isn't the kind with the leather on the loops)?

[heeperman]

give it a good hose down with a garden hose without a nozzle on it, if you blast the dirt hard or with a pressure washer the grit gets down into the fibres and will wear the strap quicker (just think of sand in your shorts...........) also never leave it in the sun to dry, hang it up in a shaded place and let the air get at id, UV is not your friend

[buzzbombxj]

How about tossing it in the washing machine (so long as it isn't the kind with the leather on the loops)?

As long as it isnt compleatly coverd in mud, thats what i do. Then i put it in the dryer, as i think sitting it in the sun all day to dry is bad for it

[HaleYes]

Why no sun? UV?

[5-90]

Yah - it breaks down the polymners.

I'd take care of a tow strap the same way I take care of my climbing ropes...

Keep in a cloth bag when not in use (keeps UV off of it, and allows it to "breathe.")

Use a water spray for routine cleaning, hang somewhere dark and ventilated to dry (i.e. in a closet with the fan on.)

For deep cleaning, you can run it in a washing machine on "gentle" cycle - NO SOAP! Hang to dry.

For REALLY hard cleaning, you can use clear water (NO SOAP!) and a Nylon bristle scrub brush - like a "knuckle brush" - and scrub GENTLY. Alternatively, spot clean with a "soft" toothbrush.

Keep in reasonably dark and well-ventilated place until you need it.

Also, keep a log (attached to the storage bag) of how much sunlight time and/or how many pulls on it. I usually retire climbing ropes after an accumulated 100 hours of sunlight exposure, or 5 "hard falls" - whichever comes FIRST (hey, it's my arse hanging from the thing...) I'd probably figure 100 hours exposure or 5-10 pulls on the thing - and you'll probably hit your pull figure first.

Sound drastic? Maybe. But, figure the amount of damage that could be done when the thing pops, and factor that against just buying a new strap and taking proper care of it, and you'll see it comes out in the balance...

5-90

[OT]

I wad mine up and throw them in my storage box.
If they get muddy or wet, I still throw them in the box and shake all the debris off, when I get home and they're dry.
I used to give a sh*t about my straps and roll them up all nice and pretty and clean them, but I realized, they're cheap enough that I can use them and buy new ones, when they wear out.

[GSequoia]

I take very careful care of mine.

When done using them I roll them up and toss them wherever I put them, muck like Terry's way only I do go through the effort to roll 'em.

I only have about six tow straps, I don't particularly care of I kill one or two ;)

[RichP]

Woolite, let me soak then rinse them. Amazing the crap that comes out of them, again like the others though, cheap enough to replace....

[Dvipercop]

Same as OT: shake off some of the debris, wad up in no particular design, throw into storage bag. I keep mine in an old gas mask bag, so I spose that lets it "breathe" some.

[johnlv6]

How about tossing it in the washing machine (so long as it isn't the kind with the leather on the loops)?


There's no way i'm putting it in my washing machine :D. It's a nice tow strap though (not a cheapie)...just want to make sure it'll last. It's good to hear that i guessed correctly on how to deal with it.

John