Hammocks

Having an outdoor hammock has long provided an excellent opportunity to head outside and enjoy the fresh air, either for a quick nap, the reading of a book, or simply to relax.

However, how to care for a hammock, as far as how to wash or store it, has long been a source of trouble for hammock owners.

The following outlines the easiest and most effective ways of cleaning (both by machine and by hand) and storing your hammock.




Hammocks Without Spreader Bars
For hammocks without spreader bars (wooden bars at either end of the hammock) machine-washing your hammock is the best way to clean it. To prepare your hammock for machine-washing you need only to make a few preparations to insure the best results and least amount of tangling to your hammock.

First, fold the hammock in half by grabbing the metal rings at either end of the hammock and bringing them together. Use string to tie the hammock together once directly under the metal rings, again at the opposite end, and finally once in the middle.

Place your bound hammock into a pillowcase and securely tie this case closed. Use mild detergent to wash (DO NOT USE BLEACH), then untie the hammock, and finally hang it up outside to dry. It will take an estimated one or two days to dry, depending on the amount of sunlight.


Hammocks With Spreader Bars
For hammocks that have non-removable spreader bars, machine-washing your hammock is unfortunately not an option; these hammocks must be washed by hand. The easiest way to wash such a hammock is to lay it flat on a clean surface that can get wet (i.e. a deck, driveway, or outdoor table).

To wash simply fill a bucket with warm water and detergent and use a soft-bristle brush to brush away all dirt. After thoroughly washing one side, you will need to flip the hammock over and wash the opposite side with warm water and detergent. By washing both sides you not only get a more thorough cleaning but also can inspect the ropes for harder to remove stains that may not have come off from washing the first side.

Once you have finished scrubbing your hammock hang it to dry, preferably in full sunlight if the spreaders are wooden; the sooner the wood dries the better as excessive dampness will cause the wood to corrode. The drying process should take somewhere between one and two days.





Storage
As far as storing a hammock there are many things you can do to ensure its continued life the following year. Prior to storing, it is advisable to thoroughly clean your hammock and allow it to fully dry.

To preserve your hammock, protective sprays are sold in gardening and outdoor stores that prevent the growth of mold or mildew and fend of mice and other unpleasant creatures.

These sprays are highly recommended and are generally applied by simply spraying the chemical over the entire surface of your hammock (detailed application information can generally be found on the product itself).

Storing your hammock in a durable and breathable storage bag is also highly advisable (if storing your hammock outdoors, be sure to use a bag that is also weather resistant). If you use both a protective spray and storage bag the chance of harm to your hammock during storage is significantly decreased.

If however, you still find your hammock to have any mold or mildew growing when taking it out of storage it is highly advisable to wash it before first use with the washing instructions provided above.

If you learn to properly care for your hammock and keep it clean, your hammock will generally last much longer.