How to Wash a Hammock(Without Wrecking It)
Ben Hammockin's definitive, material-by-material playbook on washing and reviving cotton, polyester, rope, quilted, and camping hammocks—with manufacturer-backed guidance.
Howdy, hangtime heroes! Ben Hammockin here. If your beloved sling is smelling like last weekend's barbecue—or sporting a Jackson Pollock of pollen, sunscreen, and "mystery blotches"—this guide is for you. Below you'll find the definitive, material‑by‑material playbook on washing and reviving cotton, polyester, rope, quilted, and camping/parachute nylon hammocks—with hand‑wash and machine‑wash options, eco‑friendly and standard detergents, stain + mildew fixes, drying & storage, and a reality check on when it's time to buy a new hammock.
Promise: Every step below mirrors manufacturer and outdoor‑gear guidance (and I cite what matters). I'll keep it breezy—but never sloppy.
At-a-Glance: The Quick Care Grid
| Hammock Type | Hand Wash | Machine Wash | Drying | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton (Brazilian/Mayan) | Lukewarm water + mild soap; bundle end strings | Only if tag allows: front-loader, delicate, cold; tie strings; pillowcase/mesh bag | Air-dry only, shade/indirect sun | Avoid bleach; cotton may feel tighter after wash, then relax with use |
| Polyester (fabric) | Mild soap, soft brush, rinse | Front-loader, delicate, cold; no softener/bleach | Air-dry; shade preferred | Easier than cotton; many models machine-washable |
| Rope (Cotton or Polyester) | Soak on tarp/kiddie pool; mild soap or oxygen bleach; keep bars dry; soft brush | Don't (tangles). If label permits and no bars: mesh bag, delicate | Air-dry flat to avoid stretch | Cotton rope can shrink a bit, then stretch back with use. No pressure washers |
| Quilted (Sunbrella® outer) | Spot-clean with mild soap; rinse lightly; avoid soaking padding | Typically no (bars, padding) | Hang to dry thoroughly | For mildew on Sunbrella: bleach + soap per Sunbrella's ratio |
| Camping/Parachute Nylon | Cool water + mild detergent | Front-loader, delicate, cold; remove carabiners; no softener/bleach | Air-dry; shade; dries fast | ENO & L.L.Bean say line-dry; often dry in ~30 min on a breezy day |
Before You Wash: 30-Second Prep Checklist
- Read the care tag (some cotton/hand-woven hammocks are hand-wash only)
- Remove hardware (carabiners/chain/hooks) so nothing clanks, snags, or rusts
- Shake out debris (leaves, sand, pollen) so you're not making "grit soup"
- Front-loader > top-loader: if you machine-wash, use a front-loading washer and the delicate cycle
- No fabric softener, no bleach (exceptions below for Sunbrella®/white rope)
- Absolutely dry before storage—hidden damp = mildew
The Deep-Dive, By Hammock Type
1Cotton Hammocks (Brazilian / Mayan)
Why special care? Cotton's comfy and breathable, but it soaks water and can mildew if stored damp. Keep it gentle, rinse thoroughly, and dry fully.
- Bundle/secure the strings: Tie "arms" at intervals or bundle end cords to prevent tangles
- Soak in lukewarm water with a mild detergent; gently knead the fabric. Rinse until water runs clear
- No chlorine bleach. If you need extra whitening, a brief oxygen-bleach soak is safer for fibers/colors
- Air-dry only, in shade/indirect sun. Don't store until bone dry
- Front-loader, delicate, cold. Tie end strings; put the hammock in a pillowcase or mesh bag
- Wash alone; no softener/bleach. Air-dry
- Pro tip: Cotton may feel a bit tighter right after drying; it typically relaxes back to length with use
2Polyester Fabric Hammocks
Polyester shrugs off water better than cotton and is usually easier to clean.
Warm/cool water + mild soap; soft brush on soiled areas; thorough rinse.
Front-loader, delicate, cold; wash solo; no bleach or softener; short/slow spin; air-dry (shade extends color life).
Why no softener? It leaves residue that attracts dirt and can change hand/feel. Major brands advise skipping it.
3Rope Hammocks (Cotton or Polyester/DuraCord)
The classic open-weave with wooden spreader bars. Treat the rope gently; protect the wood; rinse like a champ.
- Set up outdoors on a tarp—or drape the bars over a kiddie pool so the rope soaks but bars stay dry
- Soak ~1 hour in warm water + mild liquid detergent or oxygen bleach (color-safe) for dinginess
- Scrub lightly with a soft brush; rinse until water runs clear. Never pressure-wash (too aggressive)
- Dry flat so ropes don't stretch; flip once mid-dry. Cotton rope may shrink a touch then stretch back with use
4Quilted Hammocks (often Sunbrella® outer + fiberfill)
Quilted = comfy, but the padding complicates cleaning. Think spot-clean and quick-dry.
Lay the hammock on a tarp; spot-clean both sides with mild soap + soft brush; rinse lightly; keep spreader bars as dry as you can; hang to dry thoroughly.
For tough mildew, Sunbrella permits 1 cup bleach + 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon of water; apply, wait up to 5 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry.
Safety: Use eye/skin protection, ventilate, and keep off adjacent dyed fabrics/wood.
5Camping / Parachute Nylon Hammocks
The trail workhorse: packs small, dries fast, easy to clean.
Remove carabiners/straps, wash alone; front-loader, delicate, cold, mild detergent; no bleach or softener. Hand-washing works great too.
Air-dry only (no heat), ideally in shade; on a breezy day many nylon hammocks dry in ±30 minutes. Reattach carabiners after fully dry.
Stain & Smell Triage (All Materials)
Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) is a proven sap solvent for washable fabrics; spot-test, dab, then wash as normal
A small dab of dish soap (grease-cutter) on the spot before washing helps—then rinse well
Act fast. Clean with mild detergent solution; for extra help use white vinegar or oxygen bleach if label-safe
Eco-Friendly vs. "Regular" Detergents
Best default: a small dose of mild, fragrance-free detergent. Avoid softeners (they coat fibers, attract dirt) and skip chlorine bleach unless a manufacturer explicitly allows it.
Greener picks: choose detergents with the EPA Safer Choice label (safer ingredients, works near soil/grass).
Color-safe "oxygen bleach" (sodium percarbonate) brightens/helps with organic stains without the fiber damage risk of chlorine bleach—good for rope/cotton when label permits.
Drying & Storage (How Hammocks Live Longer)
- Air-dry only (all types). Shade is gentler on fibers/coatings than harsh midday sun
- Rope hammocks: Dry flat to prevent stretch; don't re-hang sopping-wet
- Absolutely dry before storage—hidden damp = mildew
- Store in a breathable bag (not airtight plastic); cool, dry place
- Avoid pressure washers or harsh solvents; they can rough up fibers, remove coatings, or drive water where you don't want it
Material-by-Material, Step-by-Step (Copy-Paste Cheats)
Prep: Tie/bundle arms/strings; remove hardware.
Hand-wash: Lukewarm water + mild soap; gently knead; rinse clear.
Machine (if allowed): Front-loader, delicate, cold; pillowcase/mesh bag; no softener/bleach; wash solo.
Dry: Air-dry fully; shade; expect slight post-dry tightness that relaxes with use.
Hand-wash: Mild soap, soft brush, rinse.
Machine: Front-loader, delicate, cold; no softener/bleach; air-dry (shade to reduce UV fade).
Soak & scrub: On tarp/kiddie pool; keep bars dry; mild soap or oxygen bleach per label; soft brush; rinse well.
Dry: Flat until fully dry (avoid stretching). No pressure washers.
Spot-clean: Mild soap + soft brush; light rinse; minimize water in padding.
Mildew: Follow Sunbrella's bleach + soap formula; rinse thoroughly; hang to dry completely.
Wash: Remove carabiners; front-loader, delicate, cold; no softener/bleach; or hand-wash in cool water.
Dry: Air-dry in shade; reattach hardware once fully dry.
When It's Time to Retire (or Repair) Your Hammock
I love a good save—but not at the expense of your spine. Inspect regularly and replace parts or the whole hammock when:
- Structural wear: Frayed ropes, thinning fabric, torn loops, loose seam stitches—especially near stress points—are fail flags.
- UV & age: Heavy sun years fade color and strength. If it feels brittle/chalky or is many seasons old with lots of UV time, be cautious.
- Safety mantra: If you'd hesitate to let a friend or kid sit in it, it's replacement time.
Sources I Trust (and You Can, Too)
Manufacturer Guides
- • L.L.Bean – "How to Clean Your Hammock" (video transcript with steps for camping, rope/DuraCord, quilted Sunbrella; shade-drying; no pressure washers; no softeners)
- • ENO – Washing gathered-end nylon hammocks (remove carabiners; gentle cycle; mild detergent; line-dry only; quick dry)
- • Pawleys Island – Rope Hammock Care (kiddie-pool soak; keep bars dry; OxiClean/mild detergent; 1-hour soak)
- • Sunbrella® – Mildew cleaning ratio (1 cup bleach + 1/4 cup mild soap per gallon water; rinse)
Additional Resources
- • Home Depot Rope Hammock Use & Care (PDF) (dry rope flat; cotton rope may shrink then relax)
- • Hammock Universe – Cleaning & mildew tips; vinegar as option (mild detergents, avoid harsh chemicals; white vinegar for mold/mildew)
- • CDC – Bleach safety (never mix with other cleaners; ventilate)
- • US EPA – Safer Choice label for eco-friendly detergents
Related Hammock Guides
About Ben Hammockin
Your friendly neighborhood swingologist at TopHammocks.com. Ben has been testing, reviewing, and perfecting hammock setups for over a decade. From backyard relaxation to backcountry camping, he's here to help you find your perfect hang. When he's not swinging, you'll find him exploring trails or tinkering with the latest outdoor gear.