BEST way to get Musty mildew smell from Dock Lines
 

Quick question: What is the best way to get rid of the musty mildew smell from my dock lines. Several were apparently put away very wet and have stayed wet for about 45 days which gives you and your hands that terrible musty mildew smell.

I've been reading everywhere online the best way to clean them to get the smell out. I DON'T want to compromise quality or softness so, therefore, no bleach etc.

My thought was to soak them for a few hours in a bucket with baking soda (can't find anywhere if baking soda could in some way negatively impact their quality) and then throw them all in a pillowcase and run them on gentle through the washing machine with a little detergent. We do this frequently for other things that get that smell, mostly being towels left wet for days, clothes left wet etc. etc. and works well. Not sure why I haven't seen it suggested anywhere online.

Anyone have any feedback, suggestions?

Here's a link to another forum I found, but doesn't really answer my question... https://forums.sailboatowners.com/in...e-rope.159834/

liquid deodorizer?
 

Sounds like the concern is odor, not mold or mildew directly. Plug in room deodorizers come in various fragrances. You can buy refills that are maybe a 2 oz bottle. I'd think about diluting in a 5 gallon bucket and soak then dry in the outside air. Maybe Fabreze or Bounce would work. These are frequently used to keep odor out of a shut up house when closed for the season. It may be enough to just hang them out to dry (as opposed to coiled) for the winter.

I think the reason why you have never seen it suggested anywhere on line is because I don't think that it is a really big problem. I have been boating for 30+ yrs and have never had, or heard anyone else, (till now), have this problem with their dock lines. I would just hang them out in the fresh air for a while, and keep some hand sanitizer on the boat...!!

I put mine in the washing machine with cold water, detergent, and fabric softener. They come out great! I have been doing it for years and never had a problem.

I have both dried them in the dryer on low temperature and also hung them out. The only negative is they get tangled and it takes a few minutes to untangle them. But, you have all winter!

Stick them in bucket with water and a touch of ammonia.

Washing Machine
 

I will second washing machine, detergent and FABRIC SOFTENER. I do it every year to keep the lines like new. Learned this from Boating class by the Coast Guard.

Buy new lines.


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I have never tried the washing machine, although that is a good idea. I usually
soak lines, if ever necessary, in detergent and a cup of borax. Really softens lines. Also add borax to the laundry. I grew up with this.

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I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic

Agreed thrown them out if it concerns you that much.

I use line color-matched to the boat, and they tend to fade/fray (damn dock slivers) in a year or two, so I just hit up Para-fun-alia at their Labor Day close out and replace them every year. :)

But yeah, toss them in a wash cycle and let them hang out to air dry. If you have one of those super fast spinning machines, pay the coin and use a Landry Mat one. ;)