Carabiner Care: How to Inspect, Clean, and Know When to Retire

The climbing carabiner can be regarded as one of the most important safeguards in our mountain climbing activities. Besides choosing the right climbing gears, regular maintenance and care are also crucial, as they directly affect its reliability.

What you need

• Bowl of warm water + mild soap
• Soft brush / old toothbrush
• Clean rag; cotton swabs
• Light lubricant (dry or silicone-compatible for gates only)

Step 1: Inspect (before every use)

• Spine & frame: dents, sharp edges, cracks, deep grooves = retire.
• Gate action: smooth spring return; auto-lock should snap locked; wire-gate should close flush.
• Hinge & nose: no deformation; no burrs that could nick rope or webbing.
• Markings: still legible? If the model’s PPE, you need traceability.

Step 2: Clean

• Soak in warm soapy water 10–15 minutes.
• Brush away grit from the hinge, nose, and locking sleeve.
• Rinse thoroughly; air-dry.

Step 3: Lube (if needed)

• One tiny drop on the hinge and locking sleeve tracks (auto-lock). Wipe excess.
• Never get lube on ropes or slings.
• Cycle the gate 20–30 times until snappy.

Step 4: Retire criteria

• Any crack, deformation, gate that won’t fully close, or jagged burrs.
• After a major shock load, even if it “looks fine.”
• Gate/sleeve won’t auto-lock or sticks after cleaning.
• Unknown history or illegible markings on PPE models.

Storage

In addition to regular maintenance, proper storage is also a crucial step in maintaining the reliability of the carabiners.

Dry, cool, away from chemicals and road salt. Don’t toss lockers in a sand-filled bin with micro-spikes.