It's normal for dart leashes to get dirty over time, and depending on which type of leash you have the cleaning process will be slightly different.
Cotton cord: To clean your cotton cord leash, hand wash it in cold water using a little bit soap and then hang it to dry.
Dragon X rope:
1. Pre-Rinse First
- If the rope is muddy, salty, or grimy, start by rinsing thoroughly with fresh water to remove loose dirt and grit. This prevents abrasive particles from grinding fibers during washing.
2. Hand Washing (Preferred)
- Soak in lukewarm water with a mild, rope-safe detergent or rope cleaner. Avoid harsh industrial detergents with bleach, acids, or strong chemicals.
- Use your hands or a soft nylon brush gently to work dirt out — avoid aggressive scrubbing which can abrade the fibers.
3. Machine Washing (If You Must)
- A front-loading washer on a gentle/delicate cycle with cool to mild (≤ ~30 °C / ~86 °F) water is usually OK for synthetic ropes occasionally.
- Loop the rope into a mesh bag or daisy-chain coil to minimize tangling and abrasion inside the machine.
- Skip the spin cycle — spinning can stress fibers and isn’t necessary.
⚠️ Hand wash is gentler and safer for long rope life, and machine use should be occasional only.
? Rinse & Dry Properly
- After washing, rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all soap residue — leftover soap attracts dirt.
- Air-dry naturally in a well-ventilated shaded spot — no direct sunlight, dryers, heaters, or high heat. UV and heat can degrade fibers and strength.
? What to Avoid
❌ Bleach or strong chemicals — can weaken or damage rope fibers.
❌ Hot water — can affect fiber structure and adhesives in some ropes.
❌ Drying in sun or heat — accelerates UV damage and fiber degradation.
? Inspection After Cleaning
Always inspect your rope before and after cleaning:
- Look for abrasion, loose individual strands, soft/fuzzy areas, hard melted spots, or cuts.
- Any significant damage should prompt retirement of the rope from safety use.