DURAWOOD® Furniture Cleaning and Maintenance
Your DURAWOOD® poly furniture is designed to be low-maintenance and can be left outdoors year-round. It is durable and does not absorb water, eliminating the need for painting, staining, or waterproofing.
Routine Cleaning
Simple wash: For general dirt and grime, mix a solution of mild dish soap and warm water.
Application: Use a soft-bristle brush or cloth to scrub the furniture surfaces. A soft-bristled toothbrush can help clean hard-to-reach crevices.
Rinse and Dry: Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose and allow the furniture to air-dry.
Deep Cleaning (for stubborn buildup)
For a deeper clean, the furniture is power-washer safe.
Important safety instructions: Do not exceed 1,500 psi of pressure, and keep the tip of the washer at least 10–12 inches from the furniture surface to avoid damage.
Targeted Stain Removal
Use the following methods for specific tough stains:
| Stain Type | Cleaning Process |
| Grease / Oil, Ink / Marker | Mix dish soap and water solution; for stubborn stains, pretreat with WD-40®. |
| Embedded Dirt, Wine, Bird Droppings | Mix dish soap and water solution, scrub with a soft brush, then rinse with water. |
| Gum / Wax | Apply WD-40®, gently remove hard articles with a plastic knife, then clean fine remains with a soft brush and acetone solvent before rinsing. |
| Scuffs / Stains | Scrub with a Magic Eraser™. |
| Rust / Iron | Scrub with Iron Out™. |
Pro Tip: Always test an alternative cleaning solution or process on an inconspicuous part of the lumber first to ensure it won't damage the finish.
Care & Maintenance
Enjoy your slice of paradise for years to come with these simple upkeep tips.
Placement & Storage
- Find the Shade: A shady spot is best! Minimizing direct sunlight extends the life of both the rope and varnish—and saves you from midday sunburns.
- Seasonal Storage: During winter or long stretches of non-use, store your hammock in a dry place away from mice and bugs.
- Hardware Check: Periodically inspect metal chains and hooks for rust. Replace any hanging hardware that no longer feels sturdy, as these parts bear the brunt of the stress.
Caring for the Rope
Whether you have Cotton or DURACORD®, keeping it clean is surprisingly easy.
Method 1: The Quick Scrub
- Spread the hammock on a deck or concrete surface.
- Soak thoroughly with a garden hose.
- Scrub the rope using warm, soapy water (mild liquid detergent) and a soft-bristled brush.
- Rinse everything thoroughly. Note: Cotton rope may shrink slightly while drying but will stretch back out with use.
Method 2: The Deep Clean (Recommended)
- Submerge the rope in a bathtub or kiddie pool. Keep wooden spreader bars and O-rings out of the water by propping them up with a bucket.
- Add OxiClean or a mild liquid detergent (like Wisk) following the container's instructions.
- Let the rope soak for about one hour.
- Rub handfuls of rope together and use a soft brush on stubborn stains.
- Rinse with a garden hose and dry on a flat surface to prevent stretching.
Caring for the Wood
- Refinish Regularly: When the finish begins to dull or wear off from weathering, refinish the wood to ensure maximum life.
- Stay Assembled: Taking the hammock apart is not recommended. Leave everything tied together and work carefully around the rope.
Repairs & Warranty
We take genuine pride in our craftsmanship. If a manufacturing defect occurs within the first year, we will gladly replace your product at no expense to you.
Should your rope or wood be damaged by a "frisky dog" or a "manic squirrel," we offer reasonably priced repair parts. Please reach us at (252) 295-0407.
Wood & Furniture Care
Maintain the classic look and structural integrity of your hammocks, chairs, and swings.
When to Refinish
Over time, outdoor weathering will cause the protective finish to dull and wear off. To maximize the life of your furniture, we recommend refinishing as soon as you notice the wood becoming exposed.
Preparing for Success
The preparation method depends on which product you are servicing:
- For Hammocks: Do not take the hammock apart. Leave everything tied together and work carefully around the rope.
- For Chairs & Swings: You must remove the rope. To prevent the rope body from unraveling, slide a separate piece of rope through the end loops on both sides and tie the ends together before disassembly.
Hardware Removal
Once the rope is secure, you can begin deconstructing the frame:
- Tools Needed: Use a 7/16 ratchet and key to remove all nuts and bolts.
- Hidden Screws: Some screws are concealed by wooden plugs. Remove these gently with pliers or a small flathead screwdriver.
- Replacement Parts: If you damage a plug or need new hardware, Pawleys Island Hammocks offers replacement parts for sale.
Sanding & Preparation
- Initial Sanding: Sand all wooden surfaces using 120-grit sandpaper.
- Note: It is normal for some grey discoloration near bolt holes to remain.
- Pro Tip: This is the perfect time to visit your local hardware store to buy fresh nuts, bolts, washers, and screws to replace any rusted original hardware.
Refinishing the Wood
- Select Your Varnish: Use any shade of polyurethane marine-grade varnish. For the original Pawleys Island look, we recommend a High Gloss finish.
- First Coat: Apply the first coat and let it air-dry for 24 hours.
- Intermediate Sanding: Lightly sand the wood pieces with 220-grit sandpaper.
- Final Coats: We recommend applying at least 2 coats of varnish (3 coats provide the ultimate protection).
Cypress Wood Stands
Placement:
When placing your Cypress Wood Stand, a hard scape or at least 4 pavers should be placed under each of the 4 feet. If the stand is placed in a damp area (e.g. under a tree) it may start to show mold or mildew and eventually rot or split.
Care:
Our Cypress Wood Hammock Stands come pre-treated with Olympic Honey Gold stain. You should not re-stain the Cypress Wood Stand for at least 6 months after purchase. At the 12 month mark you should lightly sand the wood with 220-grit sandpaper and re-stain the wood with Boiled Linseed Oil or Olympic Honey Gold Stain, applying a second coat 48-72 hours after the first coat has been applied. Any other non-treat or non-boiled option is not recommended.
The following actions may lead to mold or mildew:
- Using Linseed Oil that has not been treated or boiled.
- Applying too much oil.
- Applying the oil too soon.
Your Cypress Wood Stand will naturally lose color and turn a silver gray over time. We strongly recommend you do NOT add varnish, lacquer, or place a tarp on our Cypress Wood Stands, as this does not allow the natural wood to breathe.
*Note: Wood checking is a normal part of the wood seasoning process and is a natural cycle that occurs when wood dries and loses moisture. This process happens because the outer layers shrink faster than the inner layers, leading to visible cracks. While checking can affect appearance, it is a normal characteristic of drying wood and does not compromise the wood's structural integrity.
Metal Stand Maintenance
Keep your support system strong, sturdy, and rust-free for years of relaxation.
Understanding Rust & Wear
While our stands are built for the outdoors, rust can eventually develop over years of use. This typically occurs in two scenarios:
- Surface Scratches: Areas where the protective finish has been chipped or scratched away.
- Debris Buildup: Places where dirt or foreign particles have remained stuck to the powder-coated surface for a long period.
Touching Up Small Blemishes
Because our stands feature a specialized powder-coated finish, there is no exact "factory touch-up paint" available. However, you can easily maintain the look at home:
- The Best Solution: Use a rust-resistant outdoor paint, such as Rust-Oleum, to protect the metal.
- Color Matching: You can find a close color match at your local hardware store to seamlessly hide small scratches and prevent rust from spreading.
Complete Refinishing Instructions
If your stand is showing significant age and you want to give it a total makeover, follow these simple steps:
- Prep the Surface: Lightly sand the metal poles to remove any existing rust and smooth out the surface.
- Clean: Wipe down the poles to ensure they are free of dust and grease.
- Repaint: Apply a fresh coat of your chosen rust-resistant outdoor paint to completely seal the metal.
*Recommended Paint: Black Semi-gloss black- Rustoleum 7798, Taupe-Woodland Stone Valspar 84502, Bronze-Oil Rubbed Bronze- Rustolem 249131, Forest Green-Dark Hunter Green Rustoleum 7733
Pillows & Swing Cushions
- Hand-Wash Only: Do not use a washer or dryer; it will cause fraying or pilling.
- Instructions: Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. Rinse and lay flat to air-dry.
- Furniture Pillows: Always remove the inner pad before cleaning.
- Tough Stains: Use 303 Fabric Cleaner for heavy cleaning.
Repairs & Warranty
Manufacturing defects are covered for the first year. For damage caused by pets or wildlife, we offer affordable repair parts. Call us at (252) 295-0407 for assistance.
Animal damage prevention
It’s the first warm day of the year. You finally drag yourself outdoors, grabbing your trusty hammock as you step out into the sun. Back in your favorite spot, you steal a few minutes of meditation on the ropes before life pulls you back inside. But the next time you’re able to make it to the backyard, you’re horrified to discover your hammock hanging oddly, no longer suspended by the same tightly woven rope it once was. The squirrels have had their way, and made off with your little slice of paradise.
What's the most practical thing to do?
Contact a nearby pest control company for the best localized advice on keeping squirrels out of your yard. They’ll know best how to deal with the critters around your location.
Always opt for humane forms of prevention whenever possible:
- Station a wind chime nearby. The sound could keep timid foragers from coming in the area around your hammock.
- If you’re hanging your hammock between two trees, consider purchasing a hammock stand and moving your hammock closer to your home.
- We’ve also found that hammocks made from DURACORD®, a synthetic polyester blend of rope, tend to be less appealing to rodents. While still as soft as cotton on the skin, the fibers are denser and far more difficult for rodents to chew through.
- Fabric Hammocks are another great option, because they offer fewer vulnerable ropes for critters to gnaw on.
Bottom line: The easiest way to critter-proof your hammock is simply to bring it inside when not in use. A little bit annoying, but far less than having to replace a squirrel-chewed hammock. Not to mention it’s just about the only way to prevent this.
Fire Pit Safety
- Always use your fire pit in a safe and responsible manner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
- Never leave a fire unattended.
- Build your fire in a well-ventilated area away from flammable objects.
- Keep children and pets away from the fire.
- Have a fire extinguisher or other means of extinguishing the fire nearby.
