Rope gets softer and weaker with use. The weave relaxes and the fibers become more supple. A well loved piece of rope will resemble your favorite pair of jeans. Repeated washing will accelerate this process and reduce the overall tensile strength. Our conditioning process is intended to get the rope soft enough that it feels great against skin but not so soft that the fiber strength becomes dangerously degraded.



For most bondage uses repeated washings are just fine and your rope will last you for years, however if you intend to use your rope for load-bearing play, such as suspension bondage, then you will need to be extra careful using older, laundered rope.

Remember: Suspension bondage is dangerous. Seek proper training before attempting and always inspect your rope and hardware before use. When in doubt, replace it.

CARING FOR YOUR HEMP ROPE

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 isn't necessary unless rope has been washed, as 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: Knot your rope as shown in our Rope Handling Techniques video, place it into an old pillow case, and tie off bag. Do not mix your rope colors during your first couple washings as there may still be trace amounts of dye that may bleed. While we thoroughly wash our ropes after dying, this is still a hand-dyed product so it is best to err on the side of caution just in case.

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, to 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 very light application of Rope Oil or scent free baby oil to your hands and run the rope lengths through your hands a few times. Monk advises not to use 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 the rope through your hands several times will soften and transfer your body oils to the rope.

CARING FOR YOUR COTTON, SILK, OR BAMBOO 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, or bamboo ropes should not be oiled.

CARING FOR YOUR "POSH" SPUN POLYESTER ROPE

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: 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, to reduce your drying time.

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

Un-knot your rope once dry and it is ready to use. These ropes should not be oiled.

REMOVING WAX FROM YOUR TWISTED MONK ROPES