Home > News

Maxim’s 2015 Study on Disinfecting Ropes

Maxim has republished a story/study about how to disinfect and clean your climbing rope

Having a clean rope could give it a longer life and will help keep your hands fresh for the send. You might already consider giving your rope(s) a scrub a few times a yet, but have you ever considered disinfecting it?

Maxim climbing ropes has been making and testing climbing ropes since 1980. In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak, Maxim republished a story and study on disinfecting ropes. Read the study here and for a pdf see here.

They stated: “The Corona Virus and the Covid-19 disease caused by it are spreading all over the world. The general recommendations include a limitation of social contacts and increased hand hygiene to slow down the contagion. When it comes to climbing gyms, the recommendation is to wash your hands with soap before and after climbing.  In most gyms, equipment is disinfected after each use by the user, but for some reason we do not do the same with holds, ropes and gear in a climbing gym.  With that in mind, we wanted to answer the question, if there is a way to disinfect ropes and if it does this harm them?”

In the study, the ropes were disinfected once with a solution made of 70% Isopropanol and 30% distilled water for a total of three minutes.

They were then left to air dry for 48 hours before strength testing. The residual strength of the rope fell 2% to 4% after disinfection.

For more on the coronavirus and the precautions you should be taking visit here.

To Disinfect

  • Ropes can be disinfected by being submerged in a solution of 70% Isopropanol and 30% Distilled Water for three minutes maximum.
  • Air-dry the ropes naturally away from heat source and direct sunlight.
  • Disinfection should be done when needed and not daily – the long term impact is being tested. A qualified inspection of the rope by the gym/end user is mandatory.

To Clean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqt1ntSVjJA

Check out the latest buyer's guide:

The Best Climbing Gear According to Our Editors – March

Every month we're bringing you our favourite gear so you can complete your climbing kit with the latest and best stuff out there