How to Wash an Eno Hammock

Last Updated: February 19, 2023

After a long camping trip or a few weeks of use, your ENO hammock may be due for a cleaning. You can either use a washing machine or wash your hammock by hand. Whichever method you choose, use a mild detergent to clean your hammock. Baking soda can help eliminate tougher stains. Once your hammock is clean, don’t be afraid to get it dirty again!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Machine Washing Your Hammock

1
Remove the carabiners. Unclip both carabiners from your hammock. Set them aside in a safe place, like on your dresser, so you do not lose them.^{[1]
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- If you leave the carabiners on your hammock, they may damage your washing machine.
2
Pre-treat tough stains with baking soda. Make a baking soda paste by combining ¹⁄₂ tablespoon (7.4 ml) of baking soda with ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 ml) of water. Mix the ingredients together until a thick, toothpaste-like substance forms. Cover the entire stain with the paste. Let the paste set for 5 minutes. After it has finished setting, use a clean cloth to wipe the paste away.
- If the paste is too thick, then add more water. If it is too thin, then add more baking soda.
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3
Place your hammock in a front loading washer. Front loading washers do not contain agitators. An agitator is the finned spindle in the middle of the washer that sticks up. It turns and twists during the washing cycle to remove water and dirt from clothes.^{[2]
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- If your washing machine has an agitator, hand wash your hammock instead.
- Make sure to wash your hammock by itself.
4
Add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of mild detergent to the washer. Use a mild detergent like Woolite or Dreft. Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners to clean your hammock. These cleaners may ruin the hammock’s material.^{[3]
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5
Set the washer on the delicate cycle with cool water. The delicate cycle is gentle enough to wash your hammock. Use cool or cold water to wash your hammock.^{[4]
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6
Air dry your hammock. Hang your hammock outside under a porch and out of direct sunlight to dry. You can also lay it flat on a table to air dry outside. On a sunny, breezy day, it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes for your hammock to dry. Once the hammock is dry, re-attach the carabiners.^{[5]
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- If you do not have a porch or covered area to protect your hammock from sunlight, hang it in the bathroom or laundry room to dry.
- Do not use the dryer to dry your hammock.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Hand Washing Your Hammock

1
Unclip the carabiners. Place the carabiners aside in a safe place. This way, you can avoid losing your carabiners while you wash your hammock.
2
Pour ¹⁄₄ cup (59 ml) of mild detergent into your tub. Use a mild detergent like Dreft or Woolite. Place a stopper in the bathtub drain.^{[6]
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- Do not use bleach or fabric softeners to clean your hammock.
3
Fill your bathtub with 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) of cold water. Place your hammock in the water. Submerge it under the water until it is completely wet.
4
Agitate the hammock with your hands to get rid of minor dirt. Scrub the hammock with your hands to remove dirt and grime. Wash your hammock until all of the dirt is removed. For hard-to-remove dirt, use a soft cloth, like a microfiber cloth, to remove it.^{[7]
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5
Apply baking soda directly to tough stains. To clean tough stains, pour a small amount of baking soda, about ¹⁄₄ teaspoon (1.2 ml), on the stain. Use the microfiber cloth to scrub the baking soda into the stain until it is clean.
6
Rinse your hammock with cold water. Once the hammock is clean, drain the water. Refill the tub with an 1 inch (2.5 cm) of clean, cold water. Rinse your hammock until all of the soap is gone. Squeeze the hammock to remove any excess water.
- To remove the soap completely, you may need to drain and refill the tub with clean water again.
7
Hang your hammock to dry. Hang your hammock outside under a porch or covered area to air dry. Do not place it in direct sunlight to dry. You can also lay it flat on a table to air dry. It will take about 30 minutes to dry on a warm, breezy day. Re-attach the carabiners once the hammock is dry.
- If you do not have a porch or covered area, hang the hammock in your laundry room or bathroom to dry.