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  1. #1
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    Wash that Mule Tape

    Mule tape is intentionally slick. The lubricant on Mule Tape is water soluble so wash it out. Soak it in a bucket of water with TSP powder from the hardware store (trisodium phosphate is the active ingredient in detergent) or use a washing machine's prewash cycle once or twice, adding detergent each time, before using the regular cycle, maybe with a double rinse. Look for a ring of light oil in the machine after each wash. Wipe it out before your spouse sees it.

    Mule tape is not for everyone but the price is often the best. Washing removed the printing too, so remember the size and strength numbers.

  2. #2
    Senior Member HappyCamper's Avatar
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    Great tips. Thanks!
    Exercise, eat right, die anyway -- Country Roads bumper sticker
    Fall seven times, standup eight. -- Japanese Proverb

  3. #3
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by heyyou View Post
    Look for a ring of light oil in the machine after each wash. Wipe it out before your spouse sees it.
    Good call! Saved us from a lot of grief there.


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
    - Mark Twain
    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
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  4. #4
    Senior Member Lonely Raven's Avatar
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    Cool info, thanks! I just bought a box this morning (with a little extra towards the Australia fund).

  5. #5
    Senior Member timabababaluka's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NCPatrick View Post
    Good call! Saved us from a lot of grief there.
    Saved YOU from a lot of grief--I never even got the chance. Conversation went down like this...

    The Missus (who has caught me red handed with bundle of tape in one hand, and the washing machine lid in another):
    Just what do you think you are doing with all that stuff?

    Timabababaluka (feeling a lot like he was 4 years old again):
    Uh... nothing.

    The Missus: Out. Out! OUT!!!

    She's not gonna be too pleased with what she finds in the tub . I gotta go!
    You're gonna need a bigger hammock

  6. #6
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    @Tim
    Use a 5 gallon, plastic bucket in the tub. You have hot water (which helps the detergent do its job), a place to dump the water, and you can remove the bucket immediately when the Queen orders it removed.

    Liquid dish soap is formulated to cut grease/oil. Dish washer soap is likely too strong to use in a bucket, it will strip the oil out of your skin.

    For a scheme to be successful, have ready-to-adapt tactics or you will end up spending your hammock budget on bouquets and meals at places that have a dress code.
    Last edited by heyyou; 10-14-2010 at 12:39. Reason: another thought happened

  7. #7
    Senior Member NCPatrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by timabababaluka View Post
    Saved YOU from a lot of grief--I never even got the chance. Conversation went down like this...

    The Missus (who has caught me red handed with bundle of tape in one hand, and the washing machine lid in another):
    Just what do you think you are doing with all that stuff?

    Timabababaluka (feeling a lot like he was 4 years old again):
    Uh... nothing.

    The Missus: Out. Out! OUT!!!

    She's not gonna be too pleased with what she finds in the tub . I gotta go!
    She IS clairvoyant! Scary. (Loved your halloween story, btw).


    "Civilization is the limitless multiplication of unnecessary necessities."
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    “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
    - John Burroughs

  8. #8
    Senior Member Jsaults's Avatar
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    Use the John Steinbeck method.

    In his "Travels With Charlie" travelog, he simply loaded a 5-gal bucket with his clothes, added water and detergent, and drove around with it on the back of his pickup truck. Rinse using the same method.

    No way the missus can complain about that!

    Jim

  9. #9
    Senior Member JohnSawyer's Avatar
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    Very good point. My experience is that Mule-tape is Pre-lubed, and when crews do their pulling, they'll add a gallon of pulling lubricant. This stuff reconstitutes to some degree when wet.

    Get enough pulling lube on your tape and it get's stinky as it decomposes... Urine-smelling mule tape isn't fun...

    That said, the lube is very helpful when detangling a 3000' bundle.
    "Do or do not, there is no try." -- Yoda


  10. #10
    PapaSmurf's Avatar
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    I washed mine by hand in a 5 gallon bucket with soap & hot water.
    Rinsed 2-3 times.
    Added 1 bottle of RIT black dye & enough near boiling water to cover.
    Stirred every time I walked by for the next couple hours.
    Rinsed 2-3 more times.

    The Mule Tape came out a beautiful silver color that matches grey amsteel almost perfectly.

    The only grief I encountered was Smurfette making fun of my grey hands and black fingernails.

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