I'm sensitive to dye residue and finishings in any new fabric, so I always wash new (washable) fabric items before I use hemt the first time. This is how I wash all my cotton hammocks with clews:
1. I'm not home to check, and I can't remember if there are a metal "saddles" inside the end loops that protect the loops from abrasion by your suspension. If they're removable, do that now. You'll put them back into the loops when the hammock is dry.
2. Now use a shoelace to tie the hammock ends together by the loops ,and tie another shoelace to bind the cords together midway between the end loops and the hammock body. This is to prevent the cords from tangling. (Some people just tie each end in an overhand knot. I don't do that because the knots can either come untied in the wash or else be really tight and hard to untie afterwards.)
3. Machine-wash in cool or warm (never hot) water, gentle cycle, and a small amt of laundry soap.
4. Hang to dry, OR tumble-fry cool until it's ALMOST dry (to avoid shrinkage), then hang to finish drying.
5. Let it finish drying completely before you use it to prevent stretching it unevenly.
6. If you removed the metal things from the end loops before washing, replace them before you sit/lie in your hammock.
I hope you'll greatly enjoy your wonderful new hammock. Sweet dreams!
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