Handcrafted in Central Kentucky, USA with top quality materials

Sheltowee Hammocks are handmade, so no detail is too small.  We hand craft each hammock and all Sheltowee gear in Central Kentucky using all new, made in the USA materials. Our designs and techniques have been rigorously tested throughout the Rocky West and the Woody East. These products have been very well received by our customers and admirers alike.  

We offer a unique Risk Free Guarantee on all of our products. Bottom line, we stand behind our gear. Should you have an issue, please contact us so we can get that issue resolved.  

How to care for Your Hammock

Synthetic Fabrics have been the textile used in many outdoor-focused products for decades now; they are high strength and low weight and can be combined with water-proof or water-proof breathable coatings and laminates that help make gear more functional and more comfortable.  Unfortunately, these ideal attributes are not without their limitations... these fabrics are vulnerable to sunlight (UV light), abrasive misuse and abuse and improper long-term storage. It is important to take care of all of your outdoor gear, as it is your means for comfort and survival in the backcountry.  

The fabrics we use will degrade if exposed to continuous UV light.  Not only will the color fade, but the fiber itself will deteriorate and cause catastrophic failure. Never leave your hammock set up directly in sunlight for long periods of time. Storing it improperly, such as in your car or by a window, can damage the fabric in a little as two weeks.  

Down Leakage is normal. The shell fabric is porous, which allows it to breathe. Sometimes the spines of the down feathers and clusters work themselves through the material. Realize that the fabric is not torn. The remedy is to reach around and pull the offending cluster BACK INTO the chamber. The small space between the threads of the shell fabric will close and reposition themselves with some gentle massaging. Rest assured we use high quality materials that are down proof and have the tightest weave and the highest thread count and performance is in no way compromised.

Store your insulated hammock in the provided large storage bag (or hanging uncompressed) only. After every trip, ensure that the hammock and insulation are completely dry. It is not recommended to store these hammocks (or any down-insulated product) long term in a compressed state; such as in the stuff sack. The stuff sack is suitable for extended backpacking and camping or traveling trips, where the hammock will be taken out and allowed to loft every day or so. Also, avoid storing your hammock where it could be exposed to direct sunlight.

Wash your hammock by spot cleaning first with soap and mild, non-detergent soap (like DAWN); remove the soap residue with a clean damp cloth; then let it air dry.  

If you must launder your hammock, it is highly recommended that you watch this video (link coming soon) and follow all the steps correctly and in order it is safe to do so in a front loading washing machine ONLY (the bigger the better) using ONLY one of these recommended cleaning products: Nikwax Down Wash, McNett ReviveX Down Cleaner or 'Zero' by Woolite. 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of detergent is sufficient. It is recommended to remove the hammock's suspension; instructions on how to do that can be found here (link coming soon). Also, loosen all of the shock cord lines.  

DO NOT DRY CLEAN THE HAMMOCK

Use the Gentle cycle with cold water and a cold water rinse. To eliminate any residual soap that may still be there, run a second cycle with water only.

Care should be taken when removing the wet hammock/quilt from the washer and placing it into the dryer. Lift the hammock, do not pull the hammock out. DO NOT WRING OUT THE HAMMOCK. It will be quite wet, so handle it with care.

Dry your hammock in a front loading dryer (the bigger the better) on the LOWEST HEAT setting. If you are using a machine at a local laundromat, be sure to check that the temperature dial is in working order by running a cycle empty first. Even moderate heat could damage the insulation shell.

Toss in a few (6-8) clean tennis balls to help break up the down which will clump when wet. So called 'dryer balls' I've seen are too abrasive, so use tennis balls (or nothing at all). Check on it frequently and manually break up clumps of down if needed and check the temperature of the fabric.

The fabric will dry quickly, but the down will take longer. Drying for a few cycles (1-3 hours) then air drying for over 24hrs is best.