Cotton ropes · 6mm · 10m

Yes — cotton is one of the few rope materials that's genuinely washable. Hand wash in cool water, or machine wash on a gentle, cool cycle inside a laundry bag (this stops the ropes tangling into a nightmare). Skip the fabric softener and bleach.

The important part is the drying: always air dry, never tumble. Hang your ropes up, ideally with a light weight on the end or under gentle tension, so they dry straight rather than kinked. Make sure they're completely dry before you store them — cotton holds moisture, and damp storage is how you end up with mildew.

Expect the rope to feel slightly different after its first wash — usually a little softer, occasionally a touch shrunken. Both are normal.

Feel: Cotton is soft and smooth against the skin, making it a gentle, comfortable option — especially for longer sessions or sensitive skin. Jute has more texture and grip, with the distinctive natural smell and traditional feel many associate with shibari.

Handling: Cotton moves smoothly through the hands and has a gentle give that many people find comfortable and easy to work with — leave a touch of working room in your knots, as they can tighten under load. Jute, by contrast, is stiff and fast, with a firmer, more structured feel.

Maintenance: Cotton is wonderfully low-maintenance — it's washable and needs no conditioning or oiling. Jute requires a little more care, including occasional re-oiling and keeping it dry, though it rewards that care by breaking in beautifully over time.

Best for: Cotton is ideal for beginners, bedroom ties, floor work, decorative ties, and anyone prioritising comfort. Jute is the traditional choice for shibari and the standard where suspension is involved — cotton's stretch means it isn't really suitable for load-bearing ties.

Cotton rope is ready to use straight away — no oiling, conditioning, or breaking-in required. Unlike jute, which typically needs treating before it's at its best, cotton arrives soft and supple from the start.

The ends come finished with a simple overhand knot to prevent fraying, so there's nothing to seal or whip before you start. If you prefer a different end treatment — whipping, or a thistle knot — you can always redo them to taste, but out of the packet the rope is good to go. It will soften further with use and washing.

No special maintenance required.

No — cotton rope should not be used for suspension or any load-bearing ties. Cotton stretches under load, and its knots can compact and jam, which makes it unpredictable and unsafe when supporting body weight. It's also harder to untie quickly under tension.

Cotton is brilliant for floor work, decorative ties, restraint, and learning — which covers the vast majority of rope practice. If suspension is where your practice is heading, jute is the standard choice, and we'd always recommend proper in-person education before taking anything off the ground.

For jute ropes: we strongly advise against washing jute. Water significantly weakens the fibres, and the ropes require drying under tension to return to their previous shape.

For cotton & linen ropes: yes, these can be washed. We recommend hand-washing or using the delicates cycle on your washing machine. Keep in mind that, as with clothing, the dye can sometimes run or fade.

You can genuinely start with one — single and double column ties, simple leg and chest ties, and most beginner class content need just one or two ropes.

A set of 3 ropes lets you build multi-rope ties like a chest harness without running short. Most people practising regularly settle at around 3-6 ropes, which handles more elaborate ties and means you're not constantly untying one thing to tie another.

A little, yes — like any cotton product, the rope can shrink slightly the first time it's washed, typically a few percent of its length. Washing cool and air drying (never tumble drying) keeps this to a minimum, and hanging the ropes to dry under light tension helps them dry straight and true.

After the first wash or two, the length settles and further shrinkage is negligible. If exact length matters to you, it's worth noting your ropes may end up a touch shorter than the stated length once washed.