Cleaning and Storing Your Hammock
Cleaning and storing hammocks without spreader bars (Mayans, Brazilians, Nicaraguans and Columbian Hammocks)
Cleaning and storing hammocks with spreader bars (Rope and Fabric Hammocks)
Cleaning and storing hammocks without spreader bars (Mayans, Brazilians, Nicaraguans and Columbian Hammocks)
Machine Washing
Holding the two hanging end rings in your hands, bring them together, folding the hammock in half. Tie the hammock together with string just below the hanging rings. Tie the hammock together again, at the opposite end, and once more in the middle of the hammock. This should prevent the metal rings from becoming entangled with the string bed of the hammock, and the strings themselves from getting tangled as well. Put the tied up hammock into a pillowcase, and tie the pillowcase closed. Be sure to tie it securely, as the washing machine has rigorous agitation, and you do not want the hammock to come out of the pillow. Use mild detergent to wash. It's important to not use bleach. After washing, carefully remove hammock from pillowcase and untie. Hang up hammock and spread out as much as possible to dry completely.
Hand Washing
Holding the two hanging rings in your hands, bring them together, folding the hammock in half. Tie the hammock together with string just below the hanging rings. Tie the hammock together again, at the opposite end, and once more in the middle of the hammock. This should prevent the metal rings from becoming entangled with the string bed of the hammock, and the strings themselves from getting tangled as well. In a large sink or bathtub, immerse the hammock in water mixed with a mild detergent. It's important to not use bleach. With your hands, agitate the water until you feel the hammock is clean. After washing, carefully untie and unfold the hammock. Hang up hammock and spread out to dry completely.
Storage
After first making sure your hammock is clean and completely dry, hold the two hanging rings in your hands, bring them together, folding the hammock in half. Tie the hammock together with string just below the hanging rings, and again just above the point where the hammock bed begins, to prevent tangling. When storing, it's important to protect against moisture, soiling and critters. The easiest way to prevent these threats to your hammock is to use a storage bag made of outdoor, weather resistant, durable fabric that allows the hammock to breath. If you do not have a storage bag, hang the hammock from its metal rings in your garage or basement, or anywhere it will remain dry and out of the way. If you find any mold or mildew when you bring your hammock out the next season, we recommend using a mild detergent.
Cleaning and storing hammocks with spreader bars (Rope and Fabric Hammocks)
Machine Washing
These types of hammocks usually have non-removable spreader bars, which makes machine washing not possible.
Hand Washing
Simply lay the hammock on your driveway or deck, any hard surface that is free of debris. Using a bucket of water with mild detergent, and a soft bristle brush, clean the hammock bed on one side, then flip the hammock and clean the other side the same way. This will allow you to inspect the rope or fabric as well. If you see dark, or black discoloration, (mold or mildew) be sure to clean thoroughly in that area. Once you have cleaned the hammock, hang it to dry. This is important, because making sure your hammock is dry, is the single greatest thing you can do, to insure many years of use for your hammock. Once a hammock becomes wet, the faster it dries, the better it will be for your hammock. Hang it in direct sunlight, as if you were going to use it. Hammocks with spreader bars allow all of the rope or fabric to be exposed when hanging normally. This should allow it to dry in one-two full days.
Storage
Before storing, you should clean and apply a protective spray to your hammock. After first making sure your hammock is completely dry, hold the two hanging rings in your hands, bring them together, folding the hammock in half. When storing, it's important to protect against moisture, soiling and critters. The easiest way to prevent these threats to your hammock is to use a storage bag made of outdoor, weather resistant, durable fabric that allows the hammock to breath. If you do not have a storage bag, hang the hammock from the metal rings in your garage, basement or anywhere it will remain dry and out of the way.
