| Getting in and out of your hammock is obviously | | | | with a power drill. |
| the first thing to know. To get in properly, turn | | | | Outside the House: You can use available trees. If |
| your back to the hammock and assume the | | | | you have no trees, you can use a strong fence |
| sitting position. Reach behind you and grab the far | | | | post or you can place your own fence posts to |
| edge, lifting it over your head.Then grab the edge | | | | use both posts or one post and one tree. Post |
| near you with your other hand and lift yourself up | | | | must be 8 foot long. Dig holes 2-3 feet deep and |
| and in. Move around and use the space to support | | | | secure posts with concrete. From trees, use |
| your back and weight distribution. To get out, | | | | hooks, if trees can take them without damage, or |
| swing your legs over the side, then, holding the | | | | tie a rope around the tree trunk. There are also |
| edges, stand up, pushing yourself out and up. | | | | tree straps that work nicely to prevent boring a |
| Lying in a Hammock: Finding the right angle is the | | | | hook into a tree. These are often sold where |
| most comfortable way.This allows you to lie flat | | | | hammocks are as an accessory. |
| with better distribution of weight, lessening | | | | Sail Boats: Hammocks can be hung on a boat, |
| tension, and supporting your back for complete | | | | such as from the mast to the fore-stay. There is |
| comfort. Wider hammocks (for example, Mayan) | | | | no better view than this, according to a boater. |
| are best when lying across the center, especially | | | | Handling a Hammock: Most importantly, always, |
| for sleeping. Hammocks with spreader bars can | | | | always, always hold the two end loops with one |
| become unstable while leaning far to the side. To | | | | hand.This avoids tangles. |
| prevent this, there are hammock tie-down straps | | | | Washing a Hammock: Tie each end with pieces of |
| that can be used to strap the hammock to the | | | | cord or string to prevent tangling, then let soak in |
| leg of the stand, making it more stable for getting | | | | cold or tepid water with shampoo and a handful |
| in and out as well as lying in it. There is even an | | | | of salt or hand wash in mild detergent. Smaller |
| accessory known as a hammock rocking kit. This | | | | hammocks can be placed inside a pillow case and |
| makes it easy to rock yourself in a hammock | | | | washed in cold water on the gentle cycle with |
| when the wind is not cooperating. There is a small | | | | mild detergent. Dry quickly by hanging, then |
| post that is stuck into the ground with an | | | | placing a stick or broom across the net to extend |
| attached pulley system. The person in the | | | | hammock for maximum ventilation. Never fold or |
| hammock simply pulls on the rope to rock and | | | | put away a wet or damp hammock as this will |
| sway to their comfort. | | | | surely lead to mildew. |
| Hanging a Hammock: Hanging a hammock directly | | | | Weather: Hammocks last longer when not left out |
| on a hook can cause friction wear. To prevent | | | | exposed to the elements. Cotton hammocks are |
| this, use a strong rope to loop through the | | | | more durable than synthetics, which break down |
| hammock loop then back to chain or hook. | | | | with the UV rays, however, it is best to store |
| Hammocks can be used in a stand or hung freely | | | | your hammock inside when not in use. Getting in |
| with hooks or tied to a tree or a post. The | | | | the habit of taking it in when you are finished will |
| Mayan hammocks work best when hung freely, | | | | preserve the life of your treasured hammock. |
| rather than in a stand, due to their length. | | | | Storage: Hang both ends on a hook or a nail in a |
| Suspend hammock to hang symmetrically with | | | | dry place. Always keep end loops away from the |
| the same height on both sides, using two equal | | | | hammock to avoid tangles. You can also twist the |
| pieces of rope if needed. If your hammock is long | | | | arms together to further avoid tangling. Always |
| for your space, raise it higher to make up for this. | | | | hang a dry hammock in a dry place. If it is damp, |
| The hammock should sag slightly in the middle, so | | | | it can rot. Having a hook in your garage or |
| as to be comfortable, but not scraping the ground | | | | mudroom or by your back door will make it easily |
| when using. Remember to allow for the added | | | | accessible to grab your hammock on your way |
| weight of a person in it which will make it lower | | | | out the door. |
| to the ground. | | | | Repair: Hammocks can snag on buttons and |
| Inside the House: Hammocks are becoming more | | | | buckles. Be aware of the buttons on back |
| and more popular in the home as well because | | | | pockets when lying in one. Rather than changing |
| people want to enjoy the benefits of them | | | | your clothes, a pad, towel, or blanket under you |
| year-long and not all climates will allow this. In the | | | | will prevent snags. Some hammock stores sell |
| home, stands work well. Of course, there are | | | | special hammock pads to be used with open |
| smaller size hammocks and stands which will take | | | | weave hammocks, such as rope hammocks, for |
| up less space in the house. Another unique idea is | | | | added comfort. If you do pull a thread, work it |
| to hang the hammock from a hook in the ceiling | | | | back into the weave, then shake hammock to |
| and hang up both ends from the hook. This | | | | even out. If a string breaks, is cut, or burned, on |
| makes a hammock into a hammock chair! This | | | | an open weave hammock, it will not run, |
| works well in a corner or from a door frame. | | | | however, tie the broken ends together to |
| When taken down, there is only an insignificant | | | | prevent a hole. |
| hook left. This is the easiest way to use your | | | | WARNINGS |
| hammock all year long if you are challenged for | | | | Never stand up in a hammock! |
| space in your home. | | | | Never get into a hammock feet first! |
| On the Porch: Hang hammock from wall studs or | | | | Never straddle a hammock! |
| ceiling beams. Find center stud and screw hooks in | | | | Teach children how to use properly! |