We've got a big bucket/bin full of water and disinfectant to dunk all the sailing gear in. Everything goes on the washing line next and......... stays there sometimes, until the next sailing day! In the summer, we sail twice a week, so there's never any room on the washing line  (4 wetsuits, 4 rashvests, 4 swimsuits, 4 buoyancy aids, plus splashtops, gloves, kneepads, harness, boots, etc.)

If it's raining, everything goes in the greenhouse. In the winter, the final drying is in the house, over the banisters. Whooaah, very decorative!

Wet suite goes in the washing machine when I get home (with nappysan) to remove the stink (well some of it)  and then on the washing line.

Harness and lifejacket gets a blast with the hosepipe now and then and then onto the washing line.

I have a block and tackle systrem rigged up in my garage to hoist all my kit into the roof out the way to dry during the week.

Hi Headfry,

I use Savlon or Sainsbury's own brand of laundry disinfectant (the blue stuff that smells nice). I've tried the value versions from Sainsbury's and Tesco, because half a garden bin full of water takes a lot of disinfectant, but it gave me a rash !
Other people use Milton tablets.

Every now and then, the wetsuits and the boots go in the washing machine, with Oxy-Clean.

And I do sympathise: whatever we try to do, the boots are still smelly!!

Thing my mum gets a bit annoyed at home coz 3 years ago we had never sailed now we make her take us out to the water 3 or 4 times a week between us and have compleatly redecorated the house with wet sailing kit. Weve found that the little hooks she hangs her valuble plate collection on holds up the kit nicely the only thing is there little water type marks on the wall where our stuff constantly dips on. woops But she dosn't mind she loves us too much!!!

Your wet suit too

Yup.  It's not essential to cook it.  Tumble dryers are quite clever these days.

On my elder daughter's wetsuit, the Care Label mentions "Do not iron" Phew... I almost did!

Our shower curtain also warns users "Do not iron"

I've never tried tumble-drying a wetsuit, but usually put in all Lycra-based garments, like rash vests, swimsuits, cycling shorts, etc. They survive quite well !  

Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by headfry I wonder though,  if you could put boots in the washing machine??? 'Puss in Boots'- definately.  I hate cats... evil little s*d....

Ahhh

Another cat hater; excellent.  Cats need shooting, they should be treated as  vermin.  Anyone who thinks differently: I am happy to change my opinion when you can

A, stop them sitting on the bonnet of my car and scratching it.

B, Stop them sh!tt!ng on my grass which I then have to clear up before my kids can play in my garden. 

Fox hunting has been banned, perhaps we should all start cat hunting.

Quiet day at work, turturtle?

Contender443 hasn't had a Girlfriend Remote for 12 years. He swapped it one day to a Wife Remote and he admits freely he made a mistake. The model is far less reliable and tends to answer back! Besides, the Wife Remote doesn't work on its own but must be coupled to a Husband Remote -that keeps the tension nicely balanced. Right now, Husband Remote is fully operational while Wife Remote is running out of batteries! (Contender443 is cooking dinner and I'm hungry )

She does make me smile    (From a distance fortunately )

Originally posted by turnturtle Hey- where's my 'rinse and launder sailing kit' button.... Contender 443 obviously has a newer remote than me!

Where's the "rig boat" button too? Wish I could have found one of those remotes ages ago, do you get a free girlfriend with it?

Headfry got a piece of advice, some time ago, and passes on the tip:

Originally posted by headfry For boots....use a couple of pumps of anti-bac hand wash!  leave a while, then, to avoid foaming feet, rinse many times! It kills the for a while!

and I run the wetsuits and boots in the washing-machine, every now and then, with a scoopful of Oxy-Clean. It doesn't cure the boots for ever, but you can stand indoors in your wet gear AND keep some friends for a while!!  

What is this oxy-Clean stuff, where do you get it?

My gloves are as bad as my boots, still humming after sundays sail!! Trouble is, if i put them in the airing cupboard to dry off quicker (they never smell when dry) then the whole of the clean washing in the airing cupboard smells the same as the gloves and boots did when wet!!!

Will get some anti-bac wash and oxy-clean if i can find it. Can you machine wash gloves?

lol. Also BNS i was wondering if i could ask you for some help with AS french when i get a bit stuck?

Thnx Luke! I like the "for your age" !
And Elodie's still too young to register as a forum member just yet... She's nicked my boat, fits in my jeans... I've got to keep a little something for myself!

Kids, eh?