Hammock care

We've split the care section into different parts, as there's a lot of information you should know in order to keep your hammock in the best possible condition.

Care for hammocks with spreader bars (Rope hammocks, Fabric hammocks)

Care for hammocks without spreader bars (e.g Mayan Hammocks, Brazilian hammocks)

Care for hammocks with spreader bars (e.g. Rope, Fabric)

Hand Washing hammocks with spreader bars

Firstly, you need to lay your hammock out on any large, flat, hard surface, taking care to clean away any debris beforehand. After mixing a very mild detergent mixed into a bucket of water, use a soft bristled brush to clean one side, and then the other of your hammock. If you sea any mold or mildew whilst cleaning your hammock (usually noticeable as dark discoloration, be sure to clean this area thoroughly. Rinse the hammock with clean water to remove all the detergent.

Once finished, hang your hammock to dry, as a well-dried hammock is going to last for the longest time possible. Hang it wherever you think it will dry the quickest, the quicker it dries, the better. Spreader bars allow more of the fabric to be exposed to the sunlight's drying effects, and in full sunlight it should take one or two days, depending on the strength of the sun.

Machine washing hammocks with spreader bars

As the spreader bars can't usually be removed from these hammocks, machine washing isn't possible.

Storing hammocks with spreader bars

Before storing your hammock, wash and dry it thoroughly using one of the two methods described above.

The best place to hang or otherwise store your hammock is somewhere dry, and off the ground. Moisture will decrease your hammock's life span, as will insects, and for this reason, weather resistant, breathable hammock bags are available to keep your hammock in the best possible condition. If you don't have one of these bags, find somewhere out of the way, secure, and dry to store your hammock.

Hang your hammock by its hanging rings if it has metal rings, if not, don't hang the hammock directly onto a hook, as it may cause friction, and damage. Instead, tie a piece of fabric or rope onto the hook, and then loop that fabric or rope through your hammock's hanging rings.

Before you store your hammock, it's best to apply a protective spray after you've cleaned it, then hold the hammock rings in your hands, and bring them together, folding the hammock in half - much the same way as you fold a bed sheet. Next time you take your hammock out, it's a good idea to check for mold and mildew, just to be on the safe side - if you do find any, use a very mild detergent to clean the area.

Spreader bar care

The elements may eventually start to affect your spreader bars, so, to prevent moisture from affecting the wood, apply wax to the spreader bars every so often. This should keep them looking beautiful, and working well for a long time.

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Care for hammocks without spreader bars (e.g. Mayan, Brazilian)

Hand washing hammocks without spreader bars

After folding the hammock in half by holding the hanging rings in both hands, then bringing them together (like folding a bed sheet), use a piece of string to fasten the hammock together just below the hanging rings. Next, use another piece of string to tie the hammaock together in the same way at the opposite end, followed by a final tie in the middle of the hammock. This ensures that everything will stay in the right place whilst washing, and that the hammock bed strings won't get tangled with either themselves, or the hanging rings.

Prepare a very mild detergent in either a bath tub, a large sink, or other suitable-sized receptical, and immerse the hammock, moving the water with your hands until you think the job is done, and the hammock is clean. Be careful to avoid bleach at all costs, as this will seriously damage your hammock.

When you feel the hammock is suitably clean, rinse the detergent out with clean water, remove it, and after carefully removing the ties, hang the hammock, fully spread out, until it is completely dry. Drying you hammock is very important, as moisture can lead to mildew and mold which will decrease your hammock's life span.

Machine Washing hammocks without spreader bars

The procedure for machine-washing your hammock is much the same as for hand-washing, except that extra care needs to be taken as machines use a high level of water-agitation during their washing cycles which could potentially harm your hammock unless proper precautions are taken.

After folding the hammock in half by holding the hanging rings in both hands, then bringing them together (like folding a bed sheet), use pieces of string to fasten the hammock together just below the hanging rings, again at the opposite end, followed by a final tie in the middle of the hammock. This ensures that everything will stay in the right place whilst washing, and that the hammock bed strings won't get tangled with either themselves, or the hanging rings, as this could cause a lot of trouble.

After placing you fastened hammock into a pillow case, tie the top of the pillow case close, and make sure it's secure, as machine's can be pretty rough at times, and if the hammock comes out of the pillow case during the washing cycle, it could cause a lot of tangling or other damage. Avoid bleach at all costs, and use a mild detergent on a suitably delicate machine setting.

After the cycle is finished, carefully remove the hammock your pillow case, and undo the ties you made before washing it, then spread the hammock out as much as possible and hang until it is completely dry. Once again, make sure that the hammock is completely dry, especially if you're storing it, as moisture can lead to mildew and mold which will damage your hammock, and decrease its lifespan.

Storing hammocks without spreader bars

Before storing your hammock, wash and dry it thoroughly using one of the two methods described above.

The best place to hang or otherwise store your hammock is somewhere dry, and off the ground. Moisture will decrease your hammock's life span, as will insects, and for this reason, weather resistant, breathable hammock bags are available to keep your hammock in the best possible condition. If you don't have one of these bags, find somewhere out of the way, and dry to store your hammock.

Hold the hammock rings in your hands, and bring them together, folding the hammock in half - much the same way as you fold a bed sheet. Next, use a piece of string to tie the hammock just below the hanging rings, and then tie another piece of string around the hanging ropes just above where the hammock bed begins, so as to ensure that no tangling occurs.

Hang the hammock by its hammock rings if it has metal rings, if not, don't hang the hammock directly onto a hook, as it may cause friction, and damage. Instead, tie a piece of fabric or rope onto the hook, and then loop that fabric or rope through your hammock's hanging rings. Hang it somewhere secure, out of the way, and above all, dry.

Next time you take your hammock out, it's a good idea to check for mold and mildew, just to be on the safe side - if you do find any, use a very mild detergent to clean the area.

Hammock string breakages

If a string breaks on your hammock, tie the two ends together so that a hole doesn't form, as this may worsen quickly, and ruin your hammock.

And relax.....