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vbrgclimber
Dec 23, 2001, 4:55 AM
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of course my harness has a bunch of chalk and dirt etc. on it. do you think i should clean it, i never have before, but a friend of mine who climbs a lot and is really saftey conscious said i should clean it cause the dirt cuts the fibers or somthing, what do you recomend?
[ This Message was edited by: vbrgclimber on 2001-12-23 08:06 ]
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dustinap
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Dec 23, 2001, 5:11 AM
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You sure you didn't take a big fall and get alittle extra scared there?
I've never heard of cleaning a harness man. Most people replace them when it's needed.
What alot of people don't realize is, a harness is made of webbing, and most people retire webbing once a year or once every other year, depending on it's use.
Now, what on your rack gets its most use? Your harness huH?
Now, harnesses are pretty bomber, but if it is over 2 years old, maybe you should just replace it.
Now, here is what I think of cleaning a harness.
I wouldn't, because the metalic harness buckles. It could possibly rust.
Now, I think that the padding getting wet would be bad, because it would take along time to dry.
The webbing itself can be washed, which is fine.
Deffinently don't put it thru a drying machine or anything.
If anything I would soak it in a RINSED OUT bath tub with alittle woalite maybe, and let a fan blow on it to dry.
But,I can't say I'd recommend it.
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newbieclimber
Dec 23, 2001, 7:25 AM
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the cleaner you keep your gear the longer it will last so you should definitely wash your harness. just use some woolite and warm water. then hang it up to dry. you definitly cant hurt your harness if you do that.
if you ever climb in the rain your gear will get muddy and when you get home you just have to throw everything in the bathtub to get the mud off.
"Now, I think that the padding getting wet would be bad, because it would take along time to dry."(dustinap)
hmmm. interesting criteria for determining whether something is washable. i guess that means you can't wash ropes, jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, thick wool socks, sweaters, carpets, etc.
good luck,
mike
[ This Message was edited by: newbieclimber on 2001-12-22 23:31 ]
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henryinnova
Dec 23, 2001, 9:16 AM
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As a professional textile cleaner (reads Carpet cleaning) I can tell you cleaning anything will make it last longer.
As for the foam getting wet-it wont hurt it. Foam in furniture gets wet everytime it's cleaned, as does padding under carpet.
Just dry it as quicly as possible. If you tumble dry it on low, while in a pillow case it will be fine. The metal wont rust, the webbing wont shrink and the foam wont smell.
And your friend is correct, dirt and other particle rubbed into the webbing will degrade it faster--just like your rope.
Be safe-Have Fun
[ This Message was edited by: henryinnova on 2001-12-23 01:17 ]
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squeeks
Dec 24, 2001, 7:50 PM
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i agree. you can wash it. i would just use warm water though. not hot just warm. the padding will be fine. most buckles are alloys and not some medium grade steel(med. steel will rust) so they wont rust. i would just rinse it real good. i dont trust a lot of cleaners on my equipment. you never know how acidic cleaners are and what they will do to the fibers. just my 2 cents.
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newbieclimber
Dec 25, 2001, 7:10 AM
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"Actually, my harness is going on five years old, never been washed. It looks like sh-t, but there ain't no way it could break without ripping me in half first." (oozingpustule)
wrong. even a new harness will break long before the forces necessary to rip you in half. i certainly wouldnt partner with you if you used that harness.
Has anyone ever heard of an accident in which a properly threaded harness broke?
nope.
question: how come when you belay someone you dont use their belay device and their biner? do you feel safe having someone belay you using a belay device and biner you dont know the history of? why?
mike
[ This Message was edited by: newbieclimber on 2001-12-24 23:12 ]
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squeeks
Dec 25, 2001, 6:52 PM
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so does that mean you dont partner with anyone? how do you trust anyone to belay you or even partner with you then? you dont know the history of all their equipment do you? didnt think so. another stupid comment by the almighty.
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theooze
Dec 26, 2001, 1:12 AM
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"wrong. even a new harness will break long before the
forces necessary to rip you in half. i certainly wouldnt
partner with you if you used that harness. "
Based on what? With all due respect, you are an idiot. Let's strap you to a tree, in a harness, tie you in to my back bumper and I'll floor it. I'll bet you twenty bucks I'll end up with nothing but a bloody but otherwise intact harness bouncing along behind me.
Moron.
Cordially,
Hans
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squeeks
Dec 26, 2001, 1:17 AM
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can i watch?
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treyr
Jan 5, 2002, 12:59 AM
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I would use a damp ramp and get the dirt out of it
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ravens_wing_jim
Jan 8, 2002, 5:21 AM
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Dude, first make sure your bathroom sink
is clean. Then go ahead and wash out your
harness with just cold, clean, water by
hand. Then just hang it up to dry(indoors),
and it will be fine.
You should'nt have to wash it often,
and yes, I've never heard of harness failure,
but just like the rest of your nylon gear,
keep it somewhat clean... and it will last
longer because dirt does act like an abrasive. Whats more important however, is
keeping that rope clean(your umbilical cord
to life)
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rado
Jan 8, 2002, 8:24 AM
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Registered: Jan 7, 2002
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I think that best idea would be reading your harnesses manual. The manufacturer surely wrote if and how the harness should be washed. If you have lost the manual, contact the manufacturer and I am sure they will help you.
I did a lot of ice climbing this winter and my harness got pretty wet everytime I used it. Up to now I haven't detected any corrosion of the metal parts. I use a Petzl Gouru.
I don't think you can damage you harness by washing it with just warm water (don't use any chemical substances) and drying it naturally, away from the heat surces (direct sunlight, fire, etc...).
Best wishes,
Rado
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cass
Jan 8, 2002, 10:01 AM
Post #13 of 13
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Registered: May 5, 2001
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ok read the instructions you received with your harness, if you don't have them, phone the company, visit a sport shop and look at the info on the harness
i've washed mine in the washing machine, according to the instructions!!
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