Caring for Your Rope

Kinbaku Studio Rope Care Guide for Natural and Synthetic Fiber Rope

Proper rope maintenance ensures longevity, safety, and performance in every scene. Whether you're using jute, hemp, bamboo silk, POSH, Hempex, or nylon, caring for your rope is an essential part of your bondage practice.

We recommend inspecting your rope before each use. When in doubt, always replace it.

⚠️ Suspension play is inherently risky. Always seek proper training and inspect all rope and hardware before engaging in load-bearing scenes.

Natural Fiber Rope Care

🌿 Caring for Jute Rope

Jute rope is lightweight, has a crisp bite, and softens with use and conditioning. However, jute does not perform well when wet.

  • General Use: Jute will naturally absorb body oils during scenes, keeping it supple.

  • Sanitation (Non-Wash Method): To sanitize without washing, place your rope in an oven at 225°F (107°C) for 15 minutes. This will kill most pathogens but won’t remove stains. This method is also ideal for softening the rope before applying oil or melting wax into it.

  • Washing: Hand wash with Rope Soap or delicates-safe detergent. Avoid aggressive agitation or friction.

  • Drying: Hang under tension in a well-ventilated area. Continue to tighten during drying to prevent slack and moisture retention. Drying can take several days depending on humidity.

  • Conditioning: Recondition with rope wax or a non-rancid oil such as jojoba oil. To apply wax: rub it in, then place the rope in the oven at 225°F for 15 minutes, flipping/stirring halfway through for even melting. Reheat if needed to achieve the desired feel.

  • Storage: Coil loosely or braid. Store in a dry place away from sunlight.

🌿 Caring for Hemp Rope

Hemp is durable, versatile, and suitable for floor work or suspension.

  • Routine Use: Naturally absorbs body oils—re-oiling only needed after washing.

  • Washing: Chain knot the rope, place it in a pillowcase, and machine wash on a short, cold, delicate cycle. Avoid washing different colors together during early washes due to color bleed.

  • Drying: Hang while knotted for 2 days, then uncoil and finish drying. Total drying time: 4–5 days.

  • Re-oiling: Apply scent-free baby oil or rope oil by hand. Frequent handling also reintroduces natural oils.

🌈 Caring for Bamboo Silk Rope

Bamboo silk rope is ideal for those with jute or hemp allergies. It’s known for its softness and vibrant hand-dyed color variations.

  • Washing: Hand-wash only in cold water using gentle soap. Do not machine wash.

  • Drying: Hang in loose coils. Gently stretch during drying to maintain rope structure.

  • Oil Use: Do not oil bamboo silk. It may compromise sheen and texture.

  • Color Care: Each rope is hand-dyed and one-of-a-kind. Slight fading may occur over time with frequent washing.

🥥 Caring for Coconut Rope

Coconut rope is made from coconut husk, intentionally rough and abrasive for intense sensation play.

  • Important Note: Due to its abrasiveness and difficulty to sanitize, we recommend using coconut rope exclusively with one partner.

  • Washing: Hand-wash in cold water with mild soap only. Do not machine wash.

  • Drying: Hang in loose coils and gently stretch as it dries.

  • Oil Use: Do not oil coconut rope.

Synthetic Fiber Rope Care

Synthetic ropes retain their texture and strength over time, making them predictable and reliable tools for bondage.

🧵 Caring for POSH (Spun Polyester) Rope

POSH rope is vibrant, low-maintenance, and rated for suspension. Excellent for uplines and structured ties.

Tensile Strength by Diameter:

  • 5mm – 770 lbs

  • 6mm – 1219 lbs

  • 8mm – 2200 lbs

  • Breaking In: Initially stiff. Washing and tumble drying (no heat) softens it. Friction from upline use also helps break it in.

  • Washing: Place in a pillowcase or laundry bag. Wash cold on the gentlest cycle with Rope Soap or unscented detergent.

  • Drying: Air-dry or use a no-heat tumble/air-fluff cycle for 30–40 minutes.

  • Oil Use: Do not oil POSH rope.

🧵 Caring for Hempex (Synthetic Hemp) Rope

Hempex has a natural look and feel with synthetic strength, and is rated for suspension.

Tensile Strength by Diameter:

  • 4mm – 513 lbs

  • 6mm – 1142 lbs

  • 8mm – 2123 lbs

  • Breaking In: Initially firm, softens with use or no-heat tumble dry. Friction from tying also accelerates the break-in.

  • Washing: Use a pillowcase or laundry bag. Wash cold on the gentlest cycle with Rope Soap or mild detergent.

  • Drying: Air-dry or tumble with no heat for 30–40 minutes.

  • Important Note: Do not melt the ends—sharp synthetic fibers may result.

  • Oil Use: Do not oil Hempex rope.

🧵 Caring for Nylon Rope

Nylon rope is extremely strong and smooth, ideal for decorative ties or high-friction scenes.

  • Washing: Machine washable in cold water using a pillowcase or mesh bag. Use mild detergent.

  • Drying: Air-dry only. Avoid heat to prevent melting or deformation.

  • Oil Use: Not needed. Nylon maintains its slick finish naturally.

  • Safety Note: The smooth finish of nylon can cause rope burn if used without caution.

🕯 Removing Wax from Rope

If your rope comes in contact with wax during play:

  1. Freeze the Rope: Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour.

  2. Flex & Flake: Bend the waxed sections—wax will flake off. Do this over a towel or outdoors.

  3. Follow Up: Wash based on the specific rope material’s care instructions.

Need More Help?

Still have questions about rope care, conditioning, or usage? Contact Kinbaku Studio for personalized recommendations.

Your rope is more than a tool—it’s part of your ritual. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.