Care

How can you make your hammock last as long as possible? Tips and tricks for the best care of your Mexican hammock.

If you treat your hammock properly, you will enjoy it for many years. Your hammock is made of cotton, so sunlight and moisture can affect its lifespan and shorten it. However, you don't need to be overly cautious with your hammock. It is an item suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Your hammock is very sturdy; individual threads may occasionally break if you step on it with sharp objects. But that's not a problem. Only the suspension loops need careful attention to avoid chafing.

Sun

If you hang your hammock outdoors, it will be exposed to the UV radiation of the sun, especially during the summer. Since your hammock is made of cotton, the colors will gradually fade in the sun due to its natural properties. This is not a problem, and your hammock will still be a colorful addition to your garden. I've had my own hammock hanging on my balcony for years, and while the colors have gradually become lighter in the sun, the hammock still looks beautiful.

Rain

If your hammock gets wet, it's not an issue. Just let it hang, and it will dry on its own. If you use it on your terrace or a covered balcony, you can leave it outside from spring to fall without any problem. Even if it's freely hanging in the garden, you can simply leave it hanging. However, cotton hammocks are not permanently weatherproof, especially during prolonged rain. You can extend their lifespan by taking them down during long periods of bad weather when you're not using them.

Winter

During winter with frost, heavy rain or snow, and high humidity, I recommend not leaving the hammock outdoors. This will extend its lifespan.

Sharp objects and buttons

The hammock is extremely sturdy due to its high number of weave and support threads. While individual threads might occasionally break, it can happen if you catch them with sharp objects. Therefore, be cautious about not bringing sharp objects into the hammock. In particular, watch out for watch clasps or buttons on the back pockets, as they might catch on individual threads. At first, the thread might only stretch, but if you then move away from the hammock with force, a thread might break. However, this isn't a significant issue. If this happens, simply grab both ends of the thread and tie them back together. Even if the thread is initially shorter, the hammock will naturally return to its shape. Make sure to do this immediately after the thread breaks; otherwise, the hammock might gradually come apart at that spot. You can easily fix this as well. In that case, before tying the thread, you just need to "thread" it back into the weave like during the weaving process.

Wear on the suspension loops

The suspension loops hold the entire hammock together. If they wear out and come apart, the hammock is irreparably damaged. If you directly attach the hammock to a fixed hanging point (e.g., a swing hook), the swinging movements can gradually cause the suspension loops to wear against the hanging point. Therefore, please make sure to always attach the hammock in a movable way, e.g., using a rope or carabiner. I cannot provide any warranty for suspension loops wearing out due to improper hanging of the hammocks.

Storage

The most important aspect of storage is to keep the hammock dry at all times. If your hammock is packed wet or damp, it can quickly become musty and start to mold. Also, avoid storing the hammock in an airtight space; it should be able to "breathe" a little. Essentially, you can store the hammock just like you would store cotton clothing.

Washing

In principle, if your hammock is heavily soiled and needs cleaning, you can wash it. Loosely tie the two ends of the hammock together, just behind the suspension loops, so that the support threads do not tangle. Then, place the hammock in a large container with warm (but not hot) water and soapy water for about two hours. Gently move the hammock in the water to enhance the cleaning effect. Rinse off the soap with clean water afterward and let the hammock dry. I've also read on the internet that you can place the hammock (remember to tie it to prevent tangling) in a textile bag and wash it in a gentle 30-degree cycle in the washing machine. However, I haven't tried it myself, so I can't confirm how well it works and how much stress it might put on the hammock.