Care for jackstays

Do you have tape jackstays which may have been lying on deck for some time? Have they ever been removed and washed? These jackstays are, to my mind, far better than those made of wire, because unlike webbing stays they will not roll underfoot. However the tape variety will degrade in sunlight. Ideally the tape versions should be taken off and stowed below when the boat is not in use. A simple method of attachment is to cow- hitch one end to a strong point forward, say a mooring cleat; and with a lanyard, tension the other end aft. It will then not take too long to remove or fit the jackstays.