I just got back from the Nullarbor and my gear is now all red with dust. I’ll wash the rope in a large front loader, but am also contemplating giving my hardware a wash in clean water, followed by a light squirt of WD40 and a good wipe down with rags afterwards. My understanding is that petrochemicals in general are harmless to rope but when I am next using this kit in the rain it is possible any tiny residual droplets of WD40 could wash down from the carabiner gate hinge onto the rope.
Thoughts anyone?