The Best Way To Store Rope

Improperly stored or looked-after ropes not only become tangled and messy, they also get dirty, which will clog up the fibres with dust, debris and even salt deposits if you're in a marine environment. Over time, as your rope becomes embedded with dirt, or is exposed to harsh UV radiation, the fibres can weaken and the strength properties begin to diminish.

In harsher environments, however, corrosive chemicals and hazardous materials can do much more serious damage if they come in contact with your rope.

At Rope Warehouse, we want you to get a handle on rope storage, giving you the very best methods and conditions required to make sure your ropes stay in peak condition.

What Are The Best Conditions To Store Rope?

If you're not going to be using rope for a while, we suggest washing it in mild soap and fresh water, before air-drying completely and away from direct sunlight.

Once the rope is dry - or alternatively, if you've just bought a fresh new rope - store it in a cool, dry and dark location that won't be susceptible to damp or wildly fluctuating temperatures. First and foremost, we suggest you keep your rope indoors, covered and off the ground; so make sure you keep rope stored flat in something like a tote bag or storage box, or alternatively you can look to hang it up.

Make sure that your rope is far away from damp, moisture, dirt, salt deposits, harsh cleaning products or hazardous chemicals. Also ensure that your rope is not only away from direct sunlight but completely out of view of all sunlight throughout the day.

What Is The Best Method For Storing Rope?

The Figure 8 tying method is one of the most popular ways to prepare your rope for storage. For this method, make sure your rope is knotted at each end to protect against fraying.

1. Hold both knotted ends of the rope in your non-dominant hand so the length of the rope hangs down vertically.
2. Grip the ends of your rope between your thumb and first finger in the same hand, keeping your fingers fully extended.
3. Do the same thumb and first finger grip with your dominant hand at around 10 inches lower than your non-dominant hand.
4. Now lift your dominant lower hand up above your non-dominant hand catching the excess rope with your non-dominant hand between your thumb and first finger.
5. Lift your non-dominant hand above your dominant hand in the same way, catching the rope between your thumb and first finger.
6. Continue alternating this raising and catching pattern and this will create the figure 8 shape to your rope wrap. Once you're left with around 1.5 feet of excess rope, grasp the centre of your newly tied rope and wrap the 1.5 feet excess around the middle tightly until you're left with around 12 inches to tuck inside the centre rope wrap.
7. Wrap this 12 inch piece of rope over your thumb at the centrepoint of the rope, folding the very end into a loop that you can tuck under the centre wrap. Simply tug on this loop to tighten the knot.
8. When you need to use your rope again, simply pull on that tucked-under loop and your wrapped rope will unravel easily for fast and convenient use.