Tips on Care and Cleaning of Your Hammocks

A hammock is one of the most relaxing pieces of outdoor furniture you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. Kicking back in a hammock on a breezy summer day can be one of the most enjoyable parts of the summer season. However, trying to figure out how to clean your hammock puts many hammock owners in a quandary. There are several ways to clean your hammock at the end of a summer season, or just to keep it clean in between.

First, you should determine which type of hammock you have. There are two types of hammocks, hammocks with spreader bars and hammocks without spreader bars.

Cleaning a hammock without spreader bars

For hammocks without spreader bars, you can use washing machine. The cloth part of the hammock can be washed this way without any problems. In fact this is the easiest option when it comes to cleaning your hammock of this type.

To prepare this piece for washing you need to follow a few small tips:

1. Grab the hammock by the metal rings on each end and fold the hammock in half. Tie the metal rings together with a piece of string to prevent tangling and damage to the hammock.

2. Put the tied together hammock into a pillowcase and place in your washing machine.

3. Wash the hammock according to manufacturer's specifications, using a mild detergent.

4. Do not use bleach when washing your hammock, as the bleach can damage the fibers.

5. Hang the hammock until it is dry.

6. To store the hammock, you can fold it up when dry and place the hammock into a storage bag, or you can hang it from hooks in a dry, out of the way place.

Cleaning a hammock with spreader bars

Cleaning a hammock with spreader bars takes a little more time and includes a little bit more involvement from your side:

A hammock with spreader bars cannot be placed into a washing machine, making hand washing the only option for you.

Here are a few simple tips to follow for easy cleaning:

1. Clean off a spot on a hard surface to put the hammock down on.

2. Spread the hammock out, and brush excess dirt off the hammock using a soft bristled brush.

3. Once the dirt has been removed, using a bucket of water mixed with a mild detergent, gently scrub the hammock. Be careful not to damage any of the fibers, as this will make the hammock weak.

4. Turn the hammock over and repeat the procedure, inspecting the rope while you are cleaning the hammock.

5. Rinse the detergent from the hammock with clean water, and

6. Hang the hammock to dry in a sunny area. Drying the hammock is the most important thing you can do to ensure your hammock will last for years to come.

7. After the hammock is dry, fold the hammock and place it into a storage bag and seal the bag, or hang from a dry, out of the way place.