Hammock Care & Maintenance
Hammock Care &
Maintenance
How to clean, store, and care for your hammock by material — and the one rule that separates a one-season hammock from one that lasts twenty years.
Durability is partly about the hammock — and partly about how you care for it
We evaluate construction and materials before carrying anything. But the best-built hammock in the world won't last if it's left wet in a storage bag all winter. Care is the other half of the durability equation.
Cotton
Most care neededDo
- Hand wash or machine wash cold, gentle cycle
- Mild soap only — no bleach
- Air dry completely before storing
- Store indoors or in a breathable bag
- Bring in when rain is expected
Don't
- Put in a hot dryer — shrinks and damages fibers
- Store even slightly damp
- Leave out in prolonged sun — fades faster than synthetics
- Use harsh detergents or bleach
Polyester & DuraCord
Low maintenanceDo
- Rinse with fresh water after pool or saltwater exposure
- Spot clean with mild soap and a soft brush
- Machine wash cold if needed, gentle cycle
- Air dry — it dries quickly
- Store covered or indoors for winter
Don't
- Use bleach or harsh chemicals
- Machine dry on high heat
- Leave pooled water sitting in fabric long-term
- Skip rinsing after chlorine — it degrades fibers over time
Nylon (camping hammocks)
Easiest careDo
- Rinse with fresh water after trail use
- Hang to air dry before packing — takes minutes
- Store loosely — not compressed for long periods
- Inspect straps and carabiners before each trip
Don't
- Pack away wet — mildew still happens in nylon
- Store compressed for months — fibers take a set
- Neglect hardware inspection — carabiners wear over time
Rope hammocks
Watch for mildewDo
- Shake out and hang to dry after rain or dew
- Spot clean with mild soap and soft brush
- Inspect rope for fraying at end loops seasonally
- Store dry in a breathable bag or indoors
Don't
- Store coiled and damp — creates mildew pockets
- Use cotton rope hammocks in full outdoor exposure year-round
- Ignore fraying — a weakened rope end loop is a safety issue
Material choice affects how much care you need
Polyester and DuraCord are the low-maintenance options — they handle outdoor exposure without much intervention. Cotton and rope hammocks need more attention but reward it with a softer feel. Choosing the right material for how you'll actually use it is the best maintenance decision you can make upfront.
Before putting your hammock away for winter, work through this list. Five minutes now saves replacing it in spring.
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Clean it firstDirt, pollen, and salt residue left over winter accelerate deterioration. A quick wash before storage makes a real difference.
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Dry completely — no exceptionsEven slightly damp fabric stored in a bag for months will mildew. Hang it on a sunny day and make sure every part is fully dry before folding.
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Use a breathable storage bagA mesh bag or cotton storage sack is better than a sealed plastic bag — trapped moisture needs somewhere to go. Most hammocks come with a stuff sack that works well.
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Store indoors or in a climate-controlled spaceA garage works if it stays dry. Avoid damp basements or sheds where humidity fluctuates — these accelerate mildew even in "dry" fabric.
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Inspect hardware before storingCheck carabiners for corrosion, straps for fraying, and end loops for thinning. Note anything that needs replacing before next season — much easier to address now than in spring.
Weather resistance has limits
Even the most weather-resistant hammock benefits from being brought in during extended rain or during winter. UV and moisture damage compounds slowly — you often don't notice until a season too late.
Inspect construction points seasonally
End loops, stitching near hardware, and rope ends at attachment points take the most stress. A 60-second visual check at the start and end of each season catches problems before they become safety issues.
Cleaning by situation
"The hammocks that last twenty years aren't the most expensive ones. They're the ones that get dried before storing."
— Hammocks.com
Our Promise
Every hammock below is chosen because the materials and construction give you the best foundation for longevity — pair any of these with the care habits above and they'll last for years.
Sunbrella fabric is solution-dyed and engineered for outdoor longevity. The easiest hammock to care for — rinse, dry, done.
Polyester quilted — weather-resistant, easy to clean, and our most popular hammock for good reason.
Needs more care than synthetics — but the softness is worth it. Store dry and it'll last for years.
A well-cared-for hammock lasts for years. Browse our full catalog.
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