Wash or not wash your kites

[apollo4000]

I recently picked up a comment from a pro rider (North) who says he doesn’t wash his kites.

I didn’t find out why so curious if anyone else does the same and whether domestic water supplies (I’m in UK) are harmful to kites over time or whether it’s bunkum and balderdash.

I suspect the majority wash their kites but wanted to test this out. Would be nice to save myself this job after each session but it feels counter intuitive. Ta.

[andylc]

Never washed my kites in my life except if they get dirty. Last set had for 10 years and were still in really good condition, only changed them because I fancied something new. Usually leave them damp in the bag too! Pretty sure the abrasion from regularly washing them would cause faster wear, then you’ve the hassle of drying them out without damaging them as well. CBA!

[SaltWaterDog]

Same here. Never wash mine. Plus, if you’re kiting in sea water the salt residue helps to prevent mould from building up. Only wash if your kite is dirty and of course, only pack a dry kite.

[Fly-away]

I wash the kite every time I drop it in the sea water. If it did not get salt water on it, I pack it dry and sand free.
Bridles seem to get harder and more abrasive if left and dried with salt water, giving them extra wear if not washed.
Washing my bridles keep me from having to replace them every season.

[nothing2seehere]

Nothing wrong with washing your kite - as long as it gets dried fully afterwards. Wet freshwater kites will mildew if not dried. Doesn't happen with salt water (the zips of your bag corrode instead) so its not essential to fully air dry if you need to self land. Wash it when it gets dirty. Don't worry if it isn't. I would avoid household cleaning products though. My newest kites seem to have some sort of DWR coating on them. As with waterproof jackets, I imagine household fabric cleaners would ruin the water repellency.

Good idea to dunk any pulleys in water to clean them from time to time though. Some people even go as far as only to only buy kites without pulleys

Yeah. Washing your bridle helps to keep the kite flying nicely. Always takes a bit of time though as I always have to leave the other side connected to the kite so I can remember how it was attached in the first place.

[kiterocky]

Dont waste water ....plastic no Need to be clean ..only the bar Need to be wash some time

[JustAGirl]

Gross! I didn’t wash my kite ONCE after I dropped it in salt water and it stank to heaven and the mould never went away... This is really disgusting 🤮

[FLandOBX]

I suspect the majority wash their kites but wanted to test this out.

I would suspect the opposite. Sounds like a good survey topic? I never wash my kites, although I have been known to blow sand out of the LE and strut creases with a compressor.

[matth]

I never wash my kites and only ride in the ocean. I dry my kites in the sun or my basement with a fan, then bush of sand with soft bristle brush, then fold and store for next session.
Fresh water can cause mold, salt water does not. I do rinse my bars with fresh water then swing dry and then stand in a spot were they will air dry quickly. Kites dry super fast in the sun, they only need a few minutes each side.

[tautologies]

The only time I ever washed my kite was when a bird took a huge dump on it. To me the drying is a PITA.