After you use your winch in a muddy/same/dirt environment, you should clean the line to make sure it is in best working condition. Also if you live in the road salt parts of the country, you should clean it every year at the end of 5th winter road season.
First you want to make sure that you have a clean bucket of warm water. Extend your winch line into the bucket of water and let it soak. If it’s really dirty, replace the water before you start cleaning.
Now to start the cleaning process. You’re going to walk the line through your fingers underwater, inch by inch. Use your fingers push the line together to open the weaves and shack to get any dirt or debris out of the line. If you have extremely dirty line, you might have to repeat this process 2 or 3 times.
This is a very simply but time consuming process. But this afternoon project will same the life of your winch line
Expedition Team Overland 