Shibari Rope Care
In this entry we will explain Shibari rope care. Hemp ropes are the most common for the practice of rope bondage. Their life span depends entirely on how you maintain and take care of yours. You need to keep them safe and increase their shelf life.
Preservations Methods
In order to properly store your ropes, find a well ventilated place that has plenty of shade. An excellent example is the closet. The best way to put them away is to hang them from the ceiling or wall in a vertical way. Try not to store your Shibari ropes in a tightly closed bag because they could get moldy.
After Use: Shibari Rope Care
Before storing back your rope in the closet, find a spare dry towel or cloth to wipe all the sweat and other bodily fluids that may have stained them. If you do not wipe your rope clean it will be easier for mold to form. And please remember hemp ropes should never get in contact with water, no matter how dirty they are. Do not wash it down with water.
Burning the Fuzz
Even though you should not really need to burn the fuzz out of your ropes, some of us do. It is recommendable to do so because it can truly become a nuisance. Keep in mind, though, that burning the rope several times will make them thinner. For this reason, try not to do it unless you really have to.
In order to properly burn your rope, turn on a gas stove at home. Over medium heat, lower it to make contact with the flame. After burning it, some soot might be present, so make sure to scrub it out.
Final Step in Shibari Rope Care: Oiling
Oiling your rope, as well as waxing it, is a good practice to keep them in optimal conditions. Normally horse oil, which you can buy at Japanese stores or drug stores, does the job. You can also find beeswax, among other types, to be apply it on material to better to preserve it. Do not lose sight of the fact that shibari ropes get in direct contact to your skin, so be careful of the materials you rub in them. Some may cause an allergic reaction. As an example, we do not recommend baby oil because it might be harmful on adult skin.
