Tips to Care for and Maintain Your Mayan Hammock

Unpacking your Mayan hammock

• Carefully remove the hammock from its packaging and lay it flat.
• Always handle it by the end loops to prevent tangling.

Handling precautions

• Avoid wearing shoes while using a Mayan hammock. Be cautious of buttons, zippers, buckles, or any sharp objects that could snag or break the strings.
• Keep your hammock away from prolonged direct sunlight and rain to extend its lifespan. Some fading over time is natural.
• To preserve durability, take down your hammock during bad weather. The more often you do this, the longer it will last.

Hanging your hammock

• Secure your hammock between two sturdy points like trees, fence posts, a house, a garage, or 4" x 4" x 8' wooden posts.
• Use heavy-duty screw hooks and/or high-test marine nylon rope for longer distances.
• When properly hung, a Mayan hammock should have a gentle curve, with the center 2 to 3 feet (60–90 cm) above the ground.
• For indoor hanging, make sure hooks go directly into wall or ceiling studs.

Spacing and height

• Hang your hammock in a space 1 to 2 feet (30–60 cm) shorter than its total length.
• The attachment points should be 6 to 8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) above the ground.
• If space is limited, hang the hammock higher to maintain a proper curve.

Hanging between two trees has its own set of rules — how far apart they need to be, what height the straps go on, and how much sag to leave. Our full guide to hanging a hammock between two trees covers it step by step, with video.

Getting in and out

Entering your hammock

1. Stand with your back facing the hammock and grab the bottom one-third of the fabric.
2. Sit gently in the center, keeping the strings spread.
3. Lie back, lift your legs, and place your feet on the edge.
4. Stretch out and relax diagonally — this is the most comfortable position.

Exiting your hammock

1. Use your elbows to prop yourself up.
2. Swing one leg, then the other, over the edge.
3. Move into a sitting position.
4. Plant both feet firmly on the ground, lean forward slightly, and stand up.

Cleaning your Mayan hammock

1. Fold the Mayan hammock in half by bringing the two hanging rings together.
2. Secure it in three places — just below the rings, in the middle, and at the opposite end — to prevent tangling.
3. In a bathtub or large sink, immerse the hammock in water mixed with a mild detergent. No bleach.
4. Gently wash by hand, then rinse thoroughly.
5. Untie and spread out the hammock to air dry completely.

Machine washing

• Tightly bundle the end strings into five sections, like a ponytail.
• Place the hammock inside a pillowcase and wash on a gentle cycle with a mild detergent such as Woolite.
• Don't wash it with other items, to prevent damage or color transfer.

Note that this applies to cotton Mayan hammocks. A spreader bar rope hammock should never go in a machine — the bed tangles, the clew knots bind, and the bars won't fit. Those get washed hanging, with a hose. Here's how we do it.

Storing your Mayan hammock

• Make sure the hammock is completely dry before storage.
• Avoid damp or moist areas to prevent mold or mildew.
• Store in a breathable, waterproof bag where possible.

Folding for storage or travel

1. Lay the hammock flat in a clean, debris-free area.
2. Twist each end loop slightly to keep the strands together.
3. Bring each loop to the center, then fold away from the center to form a half-length bundle.
4. Fold the long edges inward to protect the end strings.
5. Fold the bundle back to the middle, then fold it in half once more.
6. Tie with shoestring knots so it's easy to re-open.

Hanging for short-term storage

• If storing on a hook, place it at least 7 feet above the ground.
• Keep the loops straight and untangled to prevent damage.

Putting one away for the whole winter is a slightly different job, and the thing that ruins hammocks in storage isn't damp — it's rodents. We've covered that, along with what to store it in, in How to Care For, Clean & Store Your Hammock For Winter.

General care and maintenance

• Always handle your hammock by the loop ends to prevent tangling.
• If you have a cotton hammock, consider treating it with a fabric protector to improve moisture resistance and longevity.
• If end strings get tangled, fix them straight away — gently realign them by moving them up and around the loop.
• Be mindful of clothing buttons and jean rivets, which can snap strings.
• If a string breaks, try re-weaving it back into place and tie it securely. It can often be repaired several times before replacement is necessary.

With proper care, your hammock will stay comfortable and durable for years.

Related reading

• Mayan vs Spreader Bar Hammock: Which Should You Buy?
• How to Care For, Clean & Store Your Hammock For Winter
• Choosing the Right Size and Style of Mayan Hammock
• Shop Mayan hammocks