Are you looking for some outdoor improvement? How about a relaxing environment with hammocks? Yes! Hammocks are not only good for relaxation but also add great value to your outdoor environment. but can hammocks stay outside for a long time?
Well, hammocks can be placed both on outdoor gardens and at camping trips. Proper care has to be taken off for maintaining a hammock to stay outside.
Furthermore, hammocks are suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities. However, there are several hammocks designed for outdoor setups. These specially designed hammock setups help to stay outside in tip-top condition.
In most cases it has been seen, hammocks are made from Brazilian cotton fabric that makes them highly favorable for outdoor weather. So, why not spend this weekend on a relaxing hammock at your outdoor garden or on camping trips?
Can Hammocks Stay Outside?
Yes! A hammock can stay outside without getting damaged from cold, heat, and rain. However, this can only happen by keeping a few important things in consideration. Many people opt for hammock camping during summer and winter. These seasonal preferences are beneficial . You can easily focus on your favorite trekking and hiking activities without worrying about keeping your hammock outside overnight.
If you plan for hammock camping during wintertime, you might be wondering how to sleep on a cold night? Can your hammock survive the harsh weather conditions? Well, if you are travel enthusiastic, hammock camping can be enjoyed at any time.
By following a few measures, you can enjoy your hammock camping to the utmost. All you need is to hang your hammocks in the right location, where you can protect yourself and your hammock from rain, heat, and cold.
Effect on Different Pieces of Hammock Gear if your Hammock Stay Outside?
The effect on different pieces of hammock gear varies from each other. Therefore, different pieces of the hammock have different effects if kept outside. Hence, if you keep a few important things in consideration, you can maintain the longevity of your hammock if kept outside.
The Hammock Type
The weather is a major factor that generally affects the condition of the hammocks. Therefore, today we will discuss the effect of weather on different types of the hammock.
Now, let’s look at the below-mentioned points for a better idea:
Brazilian Cotton Hammocks
Brazilian cotton hammocks are environmentally-friendly in nature. This kind of hammock was first used by tribes of the rainforest. Brazilian cotton is a traditional fabric that is sustained to the moist conditions. Even if it is sustained to a moist condition, it is not recommended to keep your hammock to stay outside.
Hence, if you see the weather is not favorable, it is best to bring them in. Also, direct exposure to the sun might fad the hammock. On the other hand, Brazilian cotton hammocks are favorable for rain showers. Hence, after it gets wet, you need to dry it out in fresh air.
Silk Hammocks
Silk hammocks are lightweight and easy to carry everywhere. They also come with strong and durable features. Since silk hammocks are lightweight; they can easily dry out if it gets wet in rain. You can hang or spread your silk hammock into the fresh air.
Also, keep your silk hammocks away from direct sunlight to prevent them from fading. Therefore, silk hammocks dry quickly in bad weather conditions.
Canvas Hammocks
Canvas hammock is another form of material used in hammock making. It is made of cotton fabric with PVC features. Hence, they are best to use in an outdoor environment. Also, they work best for extreme heat conditions. As canvas is made from thick material, it works like insulation on cooler days. Therefore, it will keep you warm in extreme cold weather
Also, they are UV-resistant and won’t fade to direct sunlight. However, during rain showers, it is best to bring them in as it absorbs water.
Under/Over quilts
If you are planning for overnight hammock camping, under/over hammock quilts will work best for you. They help to protect you in cold weather. Under hammock quilts are placed underneath the hammock to keep you warm inside. Therefore, they give you superior warmth with a comfortable sleeping position.
However, both under/over hammock quilts have to be protected from rain showers. They are not water-resistant and hence to be protected from rain. Therefore, to protect your hammock from rain, you need to use tarps and a bug net.
Hammock Stands
Wooden Hammock Stands
Wooden hammock stands are best for indoor activity. However, they are not suitable for an outdoor environment. They are heavily built and used as a house fixture. Therefore, they are not moveable from one place to another. However, the stand is made of wood, it is not suitable for extreme weather conditions. Also, both sun and rain exposure can result in fading of the wooden stand. Therefore, it is best to keep it indoors.
Metal Hammock Stands
Metal hammock stands are made of stainless steel and involve low maintenance. If metal hammock stands are exposed to rain, they might get rusty and ruin easily. People who look for inexpensive stands usually end up buying metal hammock stands. As metals hammock stands are cheaper than wood stands. So, if you are looking for a long-lasting stand, invest in quality stands that will last long. Therefore, metal hammock stands are not favorable for extreme weather conditions.
Bug Nets
Bug nets are best for outdoor hammock camping. Some bug nets come in a zipper or stitched form attached to the hammock. If you are planning to stay overnight on a hammock, a bug net will act as a barrier to protect you from insect and mosquito bites.
In case of rain there will be no problem. Because if the bug net gets wet in the rain, you can easily wash it with mild soap and dry it out. Since bug nets are lightweight, they will quickly dry. But If you keep your Bug net for a long time in sunlight it will not last long.
Smaller Hammock Gear
Small hammock gears are portable and easy to carry everywhere. They come in a pocket-size organizer where you can keep your light blanket or other utility things. You can also store small items such as a phone, charger, flashlight, or small bottle inside it. Small Hammock gears like the suspension accessories carabiners are generally made from iron or steel or hard PVC material.
The Plastic can decay and fade in colour but they can last long in harsh rainy weather conditions but the long exposure to rain can wear out and damage the metal gears.
The suspension ropes made from nylon and plastic material can also weaken if you put your hammock to stay outside for a long time in sunlight. So hammock gears should be kept away from rain as everything inside it might get wet or damaged.
Well, these are all the factors we should consider if we are trying to answer “can hammocks stay outside?
How to Protect Your Hammock from the Weather?
If you are going for outdoor hammock camping, you need to protect your hammock from extreme weather conditions. However, proper care has to be taken off to make it long-lasting and durable at the same time.
Now, let’s look at the below-mentioned point on ‘How to protect your Hammock from the weather’.
Take Care from Sunlight
Make sure you protect your hammock from direct sunlight. Well, a tarp can help to protect your hammock from direct sunlight exposure. Another alternative way of protecting your hammock is to cover it with an additional layer of protection. By doing this, you can expand the longevity of your hammock for future use.
Store it in a Cool Dry Place
It is highly recommended to keep your hammock in a cool dry place to avoid getting damp. It should be kept as an indoor closet after every use. However, continuous exposure to extreme weather conditions can result in fading and reduce longevity. Also, mishandling of hammocks can result in material breakdown and mildew.
Also, a damp hammock can release a bad smell. So, while going for an outdoor hammock camping make sure you store it in a shaded spot that is both dry and cool at the same time. Also, you can store it in both assembled and disassembled ways according to the space you have.
Regular Wash
The washing procedure of the hammock is easy and simple. It is gently required by adding a dose of mild detergent. However, you should never bleach your hammock. Try to avoid heavy chemical-based detergents. Also, regular cleaning can make your hammock long-lasting. Try to follow the washing guidelines given by the manufacturer company.
Another alternative way of washing your hammock is machine wash. Also, wash your hammock with cool water and let it dry afterward. Even the rope of the hammock can be washed with soapy mild detergent to remove the dirt from it.
Try to avoid fabric softener to wash your hammock. You can also use a soft-bristle brush to scrub off the dirt from the hammock and its rope.
Know your Hammock Materials
Hammocks are known for easy relaxation, enjoyment, and stress relief. Hammocks are not only simple to use but also easy to set up. Therefore, hammocks are used for recreational purposes. However, there are various materials and fabrics available in the market. Also, depending on the fabric of the material, it decides the longevity of the hammock.
So, before you buy your hammock, know the hammock material that will serve you the best in the long run.
Let’s look at the various materials used in Hammock making:
Cotton
The traditional fabric used for hammock making is cotton. It is the commonly used material for hammocks. It is lightweight and breathable at the same time. Also, they are portable to carry anywhere and everywhere. The soft cotton-based texture makes it comfortable for a sound sleep.
Apart from being comfortable, they are flexible and available in various stylish designs. However, cotton material is more prone to mildew, so you need to take extra care of them.
Nylon
Hammocks that are made from nylon material are highly durable and mildew resistant. The material allows the hammock to be favorable for an outdoor environment. So, you can use these hammocks outdoors without worrying much.
Also, they are lightweight and produce high-quality hammocks. Most nylon hammocks are best to use for outdoor camping. If you are planning camping and trekking, these hammocks will serve you the best. Therefore, they are highly favorable for traveling purposes.
In addition to this, they are quick-drying and easy to pack. So, nylon hammocks are favorable for all conditions.
Polyester
Polyester is also commonly used for making hammocks. Also, polyester comes with few advantages for the users. Even though they are not flexible like cotton, they are quick-drying and mold-resistant. Also, polyester hammock comes in different vibrant colors that can add value to your home.
Hence, before you purchase a new hammock, it is important to check out the material and its features. Therefore, few features need to be considered such as UV protection, quick-drying, portable, flexible, and many others. In this way, it will help you to decide what fits your hammock plan.
Invest in Quality
It is always best and logical to invest in a quality hammock. Quality hammocks provide high-quality material, UV-resistant, mold-resistant, and various such features. If you go for a cheap hammock, it will wear out quickly. So, invest in a quality hammock that gives camp comfort and quality sleep.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
1. Can hammocks get rained on?
Yes! The Hammock can get wet in rain. However, few things had to be taken care of after getting wet. Firstly, it had to be dried out in a warm place. Keep away from direct sunlight. To prevent it from getting damp, it’s best to keep it in a cool dry place. It will help your hammock to last long.
So, next time when your hammock gets wet in the rain, hang your hammock in the fresh air. As if you pack a damp hammock, it will soon wear off.
2. Can I waterproof my hammock?
Yes! You can waterproof your hammock with Nikwax cotton proof. They are highly favorable and safe to use for waterproofing your hammock. So, next time your hammock gets wet in the rain, you can use Nikwax cotton proof to waterproof your silk, cotton, and canvas hammock.
However, in the case of nylon and polyester hammocks, there is no need of using Nikwax cotton proof for waterproofing. It is because both nylon and polyester come with a quick-drying feature.
3. Do hammocks shrink?
Well, it varies on the cloth of the material. Not all hammocks shrink. Hammocks made from cotton material might shrink a bit. It will only happen during the drying time. However, with continuous usage, it will stretch back to its original size.
Conclusion
Hopefully I have been able to answer your question “Can Hammocks Stay Outside?” if you still have any confusion please let me know in the comment box.
If you love hammock camping, any season can be favorable for you. With the right hammock gear, you can make any weather condition favorable for your hammock camping. So, in this way, you can be both warm and dry to enjoy the outdoor activities to the fullest. With the right equipment and knowledge, you can plan what is best for you.
