T&T: Simple (?) question about rope

[Steve Anderson]

Once a year I throw our lines into the washing machine with Downy Fabric
Softener.  They come out like baby's hair.

Steve Anderson
"Intrepid"  KK42

<3-strand anchor line sometimes stiffens up, and no amount of soaking in
fresh water gets it limber again.  What cause some rope to stiffen, and, more
to the point, is there any antidote that will limber up a rope once it's
gotten that way?>