Traditional Mayan hammocks use a loose weaving style, building the platform up slowly from small fibers, usually cotton thread. Different colored threads are used to create different designs and each one is as unique as the craftsman who created it. Mayan hammocks are often highly colorful, vibrant and add an outstanding decorative element to their extreme comfort.

They come in a variety of sizes, but most are large enough to envelope the user in a banana-shaped enclosure that provides a very relaxing experience. The material and loose weave make for a very stretchable platform, sometimes a little too much so. As a result, Mayan hammocks will often require a little extra breaking in and care.

Extra height is needed to hang a Mayan hammock because of the extent of the stretch. And, at different stages, that stretch can vary. Until the hammock has been used several times, it is likely to stretch quite a bit. That requires the hammock be strung higher to ensure it doesn’t make contact with the ground.

At the same time, a traditional, untreated Mayan hammock will benefit from a good wash and dry even before first use. Just as new shirts can change size and shape after being washed and dried, so too will a Mayan hammock. The fiber material and the loose weave give plenty of room for change. Drying in moderate heat will shrink and stiffen the fibers.

Some hammocks using fiber blends created with the Mayan weaving style won’t require this first wash, though. You need to be careful not to erase any modern fiber treatments. The fabric care directions that come with the hammock will guide you.

Though knock offs are often done using machines, traditional Mayan hammocks are all hand woven. The result is an individual design that makes for a beautiful decorative element around the home. Styles range from the Mesoamerican red, blue and green stripes with yellow accents to diamond shapes and many more.

Craftsman have been creating these outstanding cloth beds for hundreds of years and techniques have been handed down from one generation to the next. Many began learning the skill as children and have become accomplished artisans by their twenties. A Mayan hammock made by an elder craftsman is sure to be a thing of beauty that will last for years.

Though hammock styles have hybridized, traditional Mayan hammocks don’t use spreader bars. Those are metal or wood bars that thread through or attach to each end of the hammock. They transform the more traditional banana shape into a rectangle.

Most users find the shape and stretch extremely comfortable, though some with back problems may want to avoid the style.

The technique varies depending on whether or not the hammock was strung with spreaders. Spreaders are bars of wood or metal threaded or attached to the material at each end. They allow the hammock to form more of a rectangle and less the more traditional banana shape.

With spreaders in place, the effort is relatively simple. Proceed slowly when lying down and you’re unlikely to rotate around and be thrown onto the ground. Once on the hammock, if you don’t make any sudden moves while turning on your side, for example, it’s easy to remain stable.

Without spreaders, more caution is required. Even after you successfully get into the hammock without rotating, it’s possible to get wrapped around. Getting out of a hammock that has ’swallowed’ you may look amusing in cartoons, but that’s best left for animated characters.

When getting in, or changing position, place one hand on each side of the hammock and keep the surface spread. Move slowly and enter at an angle, as if you were about to sit in a chair slightly sideways. Some hammocks are even designed to be slept in more at that angle than lengthwise along the hammock axis. That’s especially important if the hammock has a lot of stretch.

With a double-wide or family-sized hammock you have more choices. Rotation is less a problem. You still need to be careful about excessive sway however, unless the hammock is secured at four points. There are those who would argue that you’re no longer in a hammock at that stage, but a big, rectangular cloth. We’ll leave that debate to dictionary makers.

If movement or a breeze starts you swaying, spread your arms and legs out over each side of the hammock and you’ll slow down. That also helps to eliminate any angular momentum that will tend to make you rotate. If you’re tall enough, put one foot on the ground to stabilize you. But make sure to offset the weight distribution by extending the other leg in the opposite direction.

When you’re ready to get up again, reverse the procedure of getting in. Put one hand on each side of the hammock and extend a leg over the side. Proceed slowly, and make sure your weight is balanced before sitting up. Sitting up without extending any limbs tends to provide a thin lever arm that produces torque pushing your body around in a circle.

The first few times you use your hammock it’s a good idea to have a pad or mattress underneath in case you get dumped on the ground. If your hammock is on a wooden porch or over cement, rather than soft grass, you’ll be glad you planned in advance.

Consider the length first. In order to lounge comfortably in a hammock, you need one that is long enough to not clamp your feet together. Unless you have spreader bars that are inserted in the ends to make the hammock rectangular, rather than banana shaped, you’ll need one that is at least two feet longer than you are. Add an extra foot or so to allow you to put your arms above your head for true hammock sleeping comfort.

The hammock should be wide enough to accommodate you without excess compression. Part of the pleasure of hammock sleeping may be the feeling of being enclosed. But that can be taken too far. Allow enough material to come up alongside your body, but not to be smothered in a cocoon. If you use spreader bars, the width should be at least several inches wider than you on each side.

Weaving method plays a large role in the comfort of your hammock. Mayan hammocks, for example, are made with a much looser weave than Brazilian hammocks. Woven from thin fiber, they are much more breathable than their southern cousins. But for cooler climates that may not be desirable. The tighter weave used in Brazilian hammocks, constructed from bolts of cloth, makes them retain your body heat better.

Material choice is equally important. Among other things, the material affects the amount of stretch. A rope hammock or Mayan hammock will typically stretch more, especially after you first buy it. If you use a stand, it will need to be high off the ground to avoid touching. Hanging from a tree requires that you add a few inches in height to compensate from where you want the lowest point to end.

Modern materials have been incorporated into hammocks as they have so many products. But most are still made from cotton or nylon, though Olefin or polyester are available options.

Nylon will generally wear longer and often be more moisture proof. But cotton blends have come a long way. With special treatments they can often handle moisture reasonably well. But unless they’re specially treated they can be more subject to mildew over time.

Polyester will weather extremely well, but it usually doesn’t produce the most comfortable possible hammock. Still, for occasional use or even (as some hammocks are) just for decoration, they provide a modest-cost alternative. On the other end of the price scale, Olefin is used in some more expensive models. It wears well, cleans easily and can be woven into a very comfortable product.

If you want the least expensive option, a rope hammock may be your best bet. Often made from cotton blend fibers, they stretch like crazy, but can be very comfortable if you like a very wide and open weave.

Beyond the basics, taste will dictate your final choice, of course. Hammocks are available in a huge variety of colors and designs and you’ll want one that complements your decorating scheme.

There are two basic types, wood or metal, with a wide range of choices within those categories.

Wooden hammock stands are sturdy, stylish and complement your colorful Mayan or Brazilian hammock with a design all its own. Any shape that supports the two ends and provides a stable base on the ground can be and has been tried.

They’re available in a variety of woods, with cypress a popular choice. Oak is very dense, hard and sturdy but correspondingly expensive. Teak is a highly expensive option, but one that offers great beauty and long lasting support.

But wooden hammock stands have some drawbacks. As a natural product, even when processed and coated with modern techniques and materials, they will deteriorate. UV radiation, moisture and other natural environmental factors will cause wood to age and eventually rot. Though with proper coatings (re-applied as you would to your home) they can last years, their lifetime is shorter than metal hammock stands.

Metal hammock stands offer long-lasting support and come in an array of designs.

Inexpensive aluminum or stainless steel stands are an option. Painted in an attractive color that complements your hammock and home design, they can be a lovely addition to the decor. But unpainted, they are prone to oxidation. If painted, they may eventually look old due to chipping or fading. Expect to exert some effort to care for them.

Regular care to keep your metal hammock stand clean and dry will extend its lifetime and beauty. Keeping it rust free requires that it not sit in or be exposed to continual moisture. Grass, rain or sprinklers, and other sources of water that make their way onto the stand will promote rusting. If the paint or coating has wear spots, scrapes or chipped areas, that process is accelerated.

Whether selecting wood or metal, stability is fundamental. Any hammock stand worth buying should support at least 500lbs. Even if you weigh only 100lbs, you exert much more force when sitting down or getting back up again than you do simply lying still. Also, you never know when someone is going to want to join you on such a relaxing piece of furniture. You want a wide margin of error in any case.

The first, and most, obvious issue is to take care about support. It’s important to ensure that ropes don’t get frayed or weak and that the points where they attach to the bed and the hooks are strong. The supports themselves, whether tree, post or stand should be strong too.

But given that it can sometimes be hard to tell when something is about to break, always treat the hammock as something of an unpredictable animal. Enter gradually, change position slowly and exit carefully. Practice the proper technique. Put a hand on each side of the hammock when getting in and spread the material. Then sit as you would in a chair and move your legs in. Reverse the procedure getting out.

Keep the area around the hammock clear, so that if a support does give way and dump you on the ground, nothing is around to do major harm. Don’t hang the hammock over large tree roots if you can help it. Don’t set glasses underneath or nearby – use a cupholder accessory instead. The first few times, while you’re still testing and getting familiar with using it, have a mattress or pad underneath to cushion any fall.

When you hang the hammock, consider using spreader bars. Some hammocks are designed to accommodate them, others won’t. These are metal or wooden cylinders that thread through or attach to the hammock to make the bed more of a rectangle than the traditional banana shape.

While no miracle cure, changing the shape of the surface has a number of effects. Since it’s flatter, children and the infirm are much less likely to get wrapped up in the hammock. That makes them easier to get in and out of, and makes getting ’swallowed up’ less likely. It’s still possible to roll off, but it’s almost impossible, then, to get cocooned if the bed rotates around the ropes.

More generally, any risk associated with hammock use is larger where children and the infirm are concerned. Supervision is important in those cases. The elderly, someone recovering from an illness or operation, or those too young to be strong or wise enough to use a hammock properly will all need a little assistance.

For anyone of any age using a hammock, it’s important to keep the hammock itself free of anything that could produce illness. Mildew, mold spores and other organisms often make their way onto the bedding material, especially if it’s often left outside in the morning dew. The user’s face is often near organisms that can cause respiratory problems. A simple spray can help eliminate the problem.

But hammocks have inherent risks, too. Since they’re not firm, pliable mattresses they can present neck or back problems. Though Brazilian hammocks are less stretchable than the Mayan design, both (and other types, too) can produce discomfort over time. Those prone to neck or back problems should take proper precautions.

But used wisely, a hammock can provide a relaxing and pleasurable experience like no other. Not for nothing do those lying in one have smiles on their faces.

In tight spaces, like small spare bedrooms, college dorm rooms and others, a hammock might be just the thing. Hung from the walls, you can still have ample storage space underneath. You can hang it onto hooks, making it easy to remove during the day or when not in use. Be sure to search for studs to ensure a good hold, since obviously drywall won’t support the weight.

The back porch is a great place for a hammock. But most houses don’t have trees conveniently placed to provide support. In this case, a hammock stand is the perfect partner. Be sure to get one sturdy enough to stand up to a force several hundred pounds more than your weight.

You generate more force when you sit up, push off or plop down than you do when just lying. Also, anyone sleeping in a hammock is a magnet for someone to sit or lie on top of them. That substantially increases the dead weight and adds even more to the accelerated weight.

If you have them, tall thick trees make for great traditional hammock supports. The hammock looks good that way, and you’ll have the shade from the trees to supplement your enjoyment. But be sure to hang in a way that doesn’t damage the tree and still supports the hammock.

If you attach the hammock by wrapping, the rope used to wrap the tree should be thick enough not to scar the bark. A large enough ring in bark, made deep enough, will kill a tree. Once that happens, not only do you lose the shade from the leaves, but the wood will become brittle and lessen the support. Not to mention killing your nice looking lawn decoration. Even a small opening in the bark can provide easy access to tree-killing insects and parasites.

If the rope is thick enough to support the hammock, but thin enough to do damage, it’s easy to solve the problem. Just wrap that portion of the rope with a towel or piece of thick rubber such as a few layers of sliced garden hose. Screwing a 1/4 inch diameter screw into a tree will usually cause no damage, provided the trunk is at least several inches thick and you don’t penetrate more than a couple of inches.

Once you’ve settled on the type of support, the rest of the job is usually easy. Be sure to allow enough height, accounting for the expected stretch of the hammock. Mayan hammocks are made of looser weave and often stretch more. Some hammock stands aren’t even high enough to keep the hammock off the ground when occupied. A Brazilian hammock has a tighter weave and typically stretches less.

Though nylon is an option at the lower end, most hammock beds are made from cotton or linen, with ropes of nylon, cotton or composite fibers. While modern manufacturing techniques have made these materials stronger and longer lasting, they can still get dirty. Not only does that reduce the attractiveness of a piece of fine lawn furniture, it contributes to its decay.

The first step is to acknowledge the old saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.

Keeping your hammock protected from continual exposure to sunlight will help. UV radiation fades ink dyes and weathers cotton and other materials, weakening the hammock. It also will cause any wooden stand to age faster than one that is covered or shaded.

Taking care of the bed is simple if a few elementary precautions are observed.

Keeping the bed out of continual sun is one step. The next is simple washing. A mild detergent and water is adequate for monthly care. If possible, lay the bed out flat on a large, clean surface so you can use a brush over the surface. Then hang and rinse. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Mildew and other organisms will grow on a hammock when parts of it are moist for long periods. Cleaning it off is usually easy, but keeping it off is best for long-term protection. Mildew will weaken fibers over time so even after cleaning they may have done damage. Some fibers are embedded or coated with molecules that act to prevent it, but over time it usually wears off. Simple-to-apply mildewcide sprays can solve the problem easily.

Rope care is equally important. The nylon strands that are used to support some hammocks are very easy to care for, but UV radiation will weaken them over time. Cotton will take a bit more effort. Here again it’s important to keep any mildew at bay.

Be sure to repair any rope breaks or tears before continuing to use your hammock. Apart from the obvious fact that a split in the bed will widen readily under pressure, any missing support will distribute load to the other parts, both bed and rope.

When that extra load is placed on the remaining material, any weaknesses that might have otherwise been fine may cause the whole structure to collapse. Four relatively weak ropes might have enough margin of error to continue to support your weight safely. Straining three can create a domino effect that splits even more. Better to make the effort today to repair one rope rather than four or more tomorrow.

Make sure any splits in the wood, cracks in metal or loose bolts in a stand are taken care of, too. Wood can be splinted, glued or otherwise repaired without much cost or effort while the problem is still minor. Metal cracks can be healed with metal glues or welding. Bolts can be easily tightened or replaced.

Problems left untreated or unrepaired, replacement becomes your only option.

From the Manufacturer
Our colorful entry level hybrid hammock, the Aruba comes in a standard single size. The spreader bar combined with generous fabric width promotes lying diagonally in the Brazilian Style.

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The Texsport® La Paz cotton hammock offers a 75-in x 40-in space to relax that’s constructed from cool and comfortable cotton. It has a 300-lb weight limit and comes with a carry bag.

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Amazon.com
Strathwood’s cotton rope hammock has a classic design and provides the ultimate in outdoor relaxation. The rope bed is woven from natural cotton, and the spreader bars are of a durable hardwood. Its color combination of white and medium brown is pleasing to the eye and will enhance any outdoor décor. Measuring 55 inches wide by 82 inches long, the hammock bed offers ample room for two to snuggle or for one to sprawl. Overall, the hammock is 13 feet long, and will hold u (more…)