Hemp rope is fairly easy to maintain and typically doesn't need much tending to unless it gets particularly dirty (ropes used for crotch-lines, for instance). Re-oiling is only necessary if the rope has been washed, because, during use, the rope will absorb your natural body oils, keeping it soft and supple. We suggest storing your rope in loose coils or braids.

To wash your hemp rope:

Chain knot your rope as shown in our Rope Handling Techniques video,
place it into an old pillow case, and tie the opening closed. We recommend not mixing your rope colors during your first couple washes. While we thoroughly wash our ropes after dying, this is still a hand-dyed product so color bleeding is possible.

Wash your rope on the shortest, gentlest cycle possible using cold water and a small amount of Rope Soap or a delicates/lingerie wash. Use an extra spin setting if available to remove excess water and reduce your drying time.

When the cycle is complete, leave the rope knotted up as wet hemp is next to impossible to untie. Allow your rope to hang dry for about two days. When the outside of the rope feels dry, unknot and let dry for a few more days. Rope may take 4-5 days to fully dry depending on the humidity.

To re-oil your hemp rope:

Apply a dime sized amount of Rope Oil or scent free baby oil to your hands and run the rope lengths through them a few times. Monk advises against using plant- or animal- based oils as they can quickly become rancid, destroying your rope. If you do not have access to a suitable oil, simply using the rope on skin or running
it through your hands several times will soften it by transferring your body oils to the rope.

Cotton, silk, or bamboo ropes should be hand-washed in cold water using a small amount of Rope Soap or a delicates/lingerie wash and hung in loose coils to dry.

These ropes may require gentle stretching during the drying period to maintain proper lay of the rope.

Cotton, silk, and bamboo ropes should not be oiled.

Due to the high fiber density, POSH can have a stiff hand at first. A quick wash/no-heat dry cycle will loosen it up rather nicely. 

To wash your POSH rope:

Chain knot your rope as shown in our Rope Handling Techniques video
Wash ropes on the shortest, gentlest cycle possible using cold water and a small amount of Rope Soap, or a delicates/lingerie wash. Use an extra spin setting if available to remove excess water and reduce your drying time.

When the cycle is complete, leave the rope knotted up and dry it on a no-heat delicate or air-fluff cycle. Depending on your machine, your rope may require two cycles (total dry time of approximately 30-40 min) to be fully dry.

Unknot your rope once dry, and it will be ready to use. These ropes should not be oiled. 

If your rope becomes soiled with wax during the use of wax play candles:

Place your rope into the freezer for at least one-hour.

Remove your rope from the freezer and flex the wax-coated areas of rope. Wax will flake off, so we recommend doing this over a drop cloth or outdoors.

Repeat this process if needed, followed by washing according to the instructions above.