Written by Colleen S.


Conjure up a mental image of a hammock. Maybe it’s on a stand in some peaceful corner of a porch, shaded from the sun, or maybe it’s tied between two palm trees, close enough to the ocean to hear the sound of the waves.

It’s relaxing just to think about it.

If you decide to act on that fantasy and buy a hammock, there’s more to consider than just the look and feel of it. What’s it made from? Are there any toxic finishes added?

Natural materials like organic cotton and hemp—which are free from things like pesticides—are ideal for bringing your hammock fantasy to life. But you’ll also want to consider whether or not there have been any PFAS chemicals added to make it “weathersafe” or “water-resistant.”

In this article, we’re going to talk about what to look for in the best organic hammocks and then we’ll give you our favorite brands to help you pick out which one is best for you.

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. We only make recommendations that are genuine and meet our standards.

Featured Image Credit: Ecomundy

Why Go For Organic Cotton & Hemp Hammocks?

According to the Environmental Justice Foundation in the U.K., there are many chemicals used in cotton production that are hazardous to human health, and six that are particularly toxic.

Not only are there dangers of these leaving traces in the products we buy; they also poison workers in cotton fields and harm ecosystems.

Then there are synthetic materials like nylon and polyester, which are commonly used by many conventional hammock manufacturers.

These plastic materials have their upsides when it comes to performance. They are (sometimes) more durable when it comes to things like hardcore camping, and they tend to be more resistant to things like mold when compared to cotton. (Hemp, on the other hand, is naturally anti-microbial and mold-resistant, so it can be a better alternative to cotton for that reason.)

As you may know, these synthetic fabrics are made from petroleum, they can shed harmful microplastics that are now being found in human blood and lungs, and they don’t biodegrade.

This is why more and more people are choosing to buy products made with natural and organic materials when they can.

Non-Toxic Outdoor Furniture Options for 2024

There aren’t too many perfect options when it comes to non-toxic outdoor furniture. But we’re breaking down your options so you can choose what’s best for you and your family.

Be Careful of Toxic Water-Resistant Additives

One other important thing to consider when buying a hammock (or other outdoor gear, clothing, or shoes) is whether or not there are PFAS added.

PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals,” are a toxic family of chemicals that, among other things, are often added to outdoor gear in order to increase water resistance. PFAS are linked to a pretty long list of health concerns, including cancer, heart disease, birth defects, and more.

This is something to be aware of when shopping for hammocks.

Look for Companies that Care

It’s inspiring to learn about companies that are striving to make safe, high-quality products and are doing their best not to damage anyone or anything in their production process. Not all small businesses with these goals can afford to complete certification processes, but it’s good to look for certifications in established companies.

These labels include GOTS to ensure materials have been grown without the use of harmful pesticides, Fair Trade to ensure workers were paid a living wage, FSC for wood from sustainably managed forests, and OEKO-TEX for products that have been tested for certain toxins.

The Best Natural & Organic Hammocks on the Market

More and more companies are springing up with a vision to produce safe, quality products manufactured in ways that are good for the environment and good for the workers who make them. Here are a few hammock suggestions:

Most Affordable Organic Hemp Hammock: Rawganique

2 person organic hemp hammock from rawganique

Materials: Organic Hemp from Romania
Price: $89-180

Although their products are a great choice for anyone, Rawganique specifically serves the chemically-sensitive customer, processing and manufacturing their organic cotton, linen, and hemp products with no chemicals or harmful dyes.

Rawganique stands by the claim that none of its products off-gas harmful toxins, and they don’t import from parts of the world that widely use chemicals in their materials.

The Rawganique One-Person Hemp Canvas Hammock is made in Romania from hemp naturally processed with no chemicals. Hemp is the strongest plant fiber, so it makes a great choice for a weight-bearing product like a hammock. The hammock measures 80” long and 35.5” wide, with untreated wood spreader bars, and fits most hammock stands.

They also have a Two-Person Hemp Hammock as well as an even more affordable Hemp Rope Hammock.


Sturdiest Organic Cotton Hammock: Ecomundy Pure XL

Materials: Organic cotton
Price: $143
Certifications: GOTS

Ecomundy’s organic cotton hammocks win the prize for sturdiness, with a load-bearing capacity of 250 kilograms (551 pounds) for their XL size!

This hammock has a high-quality look and is one of the largest available, at 63” wide and either 94” or 102” long.

In reviews, the word ‘sturdy’ shows up again and again, and several buyers state that it’s big enough for two people. Its 40 five-star reviews on Etsy also comment on quality, beauty, and comfort.

In addition to their XL hammocks, Ecomundy also sells hanging chair hammocks and beautiful “romantic” hammocks with hanging fringe detail.


Best Certified Organic Hammock: West Elm

organic cotton hammock from West Elm

Materials: Organic Cotton
Price: $250
Certifications: GOTS certified cotton + Fair Trade + Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX

West Elm’s indoor/outdoor hammock is made in Nicaragua from white-finished organic cotton and has two teak spreader bars. Its weight capacity goes up to 350 pounds.

Most of West Elm’s products are in-house designed in Brooklyn and made by traditional artisan collectives all over the world, with fair trade practices in place for working conditions and payment. A simple, natural elegance pervades the brand, from furniture to lighting, linens, art, and household supplies.


Best Kingsize Organic Cotton Hammock Chair: La Siesta

Materials: Organic cotton from South America
Price: $149-179
Certifications: GOTS + FSC

Hammocks are the only product La Siesta Makes, so they have a wide range of choices, including classic hammocks, kids’ hammocks, travel hammocks, and hanging chairs. Not all their products are organic, but all their organic products have the above certifications.

La Siesta sells organic cotton hammocks and hammock chairs for both adults and children in varying styles and colors. Their GOTS certification ensures that the dyes, as well as the cotton, are tested for safety and good environmental practices.

Its Organic Cotton Kingsize Hammock Chair comes in eight beautiful color weaves, from white and black, to pink, to turquoise, and more.

With a width of 3’9” and a length of 5’1”, there’s plenty of room to curl up or spread out!

*Be aware that La Siesta does have a collection of “weather-resistant” hammocks that are made using their HamacTex fabric. This fabric most likely contains PFAS. We’ve reached out to the La Siesta team to ask about this and will update you when we get the answer.*


Most Affordable Traditionally Made Mayan Hammock: Hangloose Hammocks Hawaii

natural cotton hammock from hangloose hammock HI

Materials: Cotton, Nylon end lines
Price: $78.98
Certifications: None listed, but owners visit sites to ensure fair trade practices

Soft and strong, bright and beautiful, plus fast shipping – there’s not much to complain about with this Mayan cotton hammock (except that the cotton is not certified organic).

However, Hangloose Hammocks Hawaii, a family business based on the island of Maui, has a mission to provide small-batch, handmade hammocks from artisans operating in safe and sustainable working environments. They don’t want to switch to mass production for greater profit and lose this emphasis on quality and integrity.

With prices starting at $79.98 for the single-sized hammock, these hammocks are more affordable than the organic options while still providing assurance of fair working conditions. They come in three sizes.

Hangloose Hammocks are all handmade in Thailand, Bali, Ecuador and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, using traditional methods and employing local artisans.

Some of their hammocks are made with synthetic materials, so just make sure you check before buying!


Caring for Your Organic Hammock

The downside of organic fabrics is that they aren’t waterproof; if they stay damp for long, they can grow mold. Your cotton or hemp hammock will last much longer if you can take it down and store it in a dry place before it rains. If it does get wet, make sure it dries in an airy and sunny place as soon as possible.

If you take that precaution with your eco-friendly hammock, you’ll have pure relaxation waiting for you for years to come.


What About Yellow Leaf Hammocks?

Yellow Leaf Hammocks is a popular sustainably-minded brand. Their hammocks are handwoven by craftspeople “in the hills of Northern Thailand” who are paid a living wage for their work. They’re certified by B Corp and Made in a Free World, and they’ve even been on Shark Tank.

Some of their hammocks are made from cotton (dyed or undyed), while others are made from a synthetic material which they’re not clear about.

Yellow Leaf advertises their hammocks are “weathersafe,” which indicates the material may be treated with PFAS. We reached out to Yellow Leaf to ask whether or not their hammocks contain PFAS, and unfortunately, they didn’t answer our question. They replied saying that “The Signature Hammocks are made with a softspun solution-dyed acrylic, the gold-standard for outdoor textile durability.” When we followed up to ask again about PFAS, they didn’t reply.

So unfortunately, due to the lack of transparency about their fabrics and materials, we can’t recommend Yellow Leaf at this time. Maybe in the future!




About Guest Author

This article was written by a guest contributor. We love to welcome content written by fellow writers, researchers, and advocates for safer products!


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