Caring for natural materials as part of the practice
Quick Care Guide
Dry fully if damp
Avoid machines, heat, and harsh detergents
Brush dust and grit out regularly
Store in a dry, breathable place
Wax lightly and sparingly
Expect softening, patina, and honest wear
Hemp is a living fiber. It responds to use, environment, and time.
Care is not about preserving perfection, but about supporting longevity, feel, and responsiveness.
EcoLSD™ tools are designed to change subtly with practice. Patina, softening, and texture evolution are signs of relationship, not wear to be avoided.
General Use
Use on smooth surfaces when possible
Avoid excessive, repetitive abrasion on concrete or rough asphalt
Allow the rope to dry fully if it becomes damp
Expect the rope to soften and relax with use
For flow maces, avoid repeated hard impacts with the weighted end on concrete, rough asphalt, or abrasive stone
Sweat & Salt
Occasional sweat exposure is normal and does not harm the rope.
If used heavily in hot conditions, near saltwater, or on sand, a light rinse and full dry is recommended to prevent salt or grit from accumulating in the fibers. This prevents odor, stiffness, and premature abrasion.
Break-In Period
New hemp rope may feel firmer, slightly textured, or less relaxed at first. This is normal.
The rope is fully usable from day one. Break-in simply reflects how the material adapts through practice. It happens naturally through movement, friction, handling, and time.
During early use, you may also notice the rope looking slightly “fuzzy” or more matte on the surface. This comes from loose outer fibers shedding as the rope begins to align, compress, and settle. It’s a normal part of natural fiber break-in, not damage or wear.
Light brushing after use can help remove loose surface fibers during this early break-in phase.
With regular practice, the rope will:
Soften and relax
Develop a smoother hand feel
Become more responsive and fluid in motion
Shed excess surface fibers, reducing “fuzziness”
Gradually darken in color as the fibers mature and compact
Avoid aggressive methods intended to “speed up” break-in (machine washing, heavy soaking, over-waxing). Use, time, and attention are the best conditioners.
Cleaning
Hemp does not require frequent cleaning under typical use.
When needed:
Brush gently with a natural bristle brush, like the EcoLSD Rope Brush, to remove dust and debris
Wipe gently with a clean, soft cloth
For deeper cleaning, loosely coil or place the tool in lukewarm water, add a very small amount of castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s works well), and gently agitate, squeeze, or lightly brush dirty areas.
Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring)
Avoid washing machines, abrasive soaps or detergents, very hot water, chemical cleaners, and prolonged soaking. These will damage fiber structure
Hang or lay flat to air dry completely
Cleaning should restore feel and responsiveness, not “strip” the rope.
Waxing & Conditioning (Optional)
For conditioning, we recommend using a small amount of a natural rope wax designed specifically for hemp and other natural fibers, such as EcoLSD Rope Wax.
All ropes are waxed and conditioned prior to shipping with a blend of organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, organic hemp seed oil, and organic pine rosin.
Use natural waxes only
Apply sparingly
Warm the wax with your fingers before applying
For spot treatment or small areas, work it in by hand
For a more even full-rope application, use a soft all-cotton flannel cloth
Buff lightly with a cloth, brush, or gentle movement
Over-waxing can mute feedback. Less is more. The rope should never feel oily or sticky.
Storage
Store in a dry, well-ventilated space
Avoid prolonged storage in direct sunlight
Do not store tightly compressed for extended periods
Coiling loosely helps preserve the rope’s natural lay.
Never store the rope while wet or without adequate ventilation. Trapped moisture can lead to stiffness or mildew odor.
If a musty smell develops, a gentle wash and full air dry will restore the rope.
Wear & Patina
Softening, slight coloration change, and surface variation are normal with natural fiber.
These changes do not indicate failure; they reflect use and adaptation.
With proper care, structural integrity can be preserved for many years of regular practice.
Practice & Use Notes
EcoLSD ropes are crafted from natural materials and intended for mindful movement practice.
Care and use are part of the relationship between practitioner, tool, and material.
EcoLSD ropes are not intended for load-bearing or climbing applications.
Some flow mace versions include product-specific adjustable knots for fit. Only adjust knots specifically described as adjustable on the product page.
If you have questions about care, reach out. We’re happy to help.
Need More Than DIY Care?
If your tool needs deeper attention, EcoLSD offers Lifetime Care services..
You can send it in for cleaning, re-waxing, rewrapping, end touch-ups, wear-zone support, or general reconditioning. The Care program services are offered at materials-only pricing, plus shipping.
If the tool is too worn to repair safely, we’ll offer a materials-only replacement path.
For defects in materials, craftsmanship, construction, or finishing, repairs or replacements are covered under the EcoLSD Guarantee.
Start here: EcoLSD Guarantee + Lifetime Care.