Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping bags should be washed infrequently and only when they are visibly dirty or odorous. When washing a sleeping bag, it is important to use a specialist down cleaning product and a front-loading washing machine. After washing, the sleeping bag must be dried thoroughly. If possible, it is recommended to use a tumble dryer on a low heat setting, as air-drying a sleeping bag can take a couple of days and may result in the development of mildew. To prevent clumping, it is also advised to add tennis balls or other small, firm items to the drum while drying.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of washing | Once a year or once every couple of months |
| When to wash | When it starts getting smelly and dirty |
| Washing methods | Machine wash, hand wash, or professional cleaning service |
| Drying methods | Tumble drying, air drying, or drying in a dryer at a laundromat |
| Tumble drying temperature | Low heat |
| Tumble drying duration | At least 1 hour |
| Additional items in the tumble dryer | 2-3 tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks |
| Air drying time | At least 24 hours |
| Air drying location | Outside in the sun or partial shade |
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What You'll Learn
Washing a sleeping bag
When you get home from a trip, always unzip the bag and air it out to ensure it's completely dry before storing it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack.
If your sleeping bag does need washing, you can hand wash it or use a washing machine. If you're handwashing, fill a large tub with warm water and add a specialist down wash product, such as Grangers Down Wash, or a performance wash product for synthetics. Gently submerge the bag, massaging it between your hands until clean, then rinse thoroughly.
If using a washing machine, opt for a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle, and avoid top-loading machines with agitators, as these can strain or rip the seams. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down and synthetic-filled items, such as Grangers Down Wash for down bags or Grangers Down Performance Wash for synthetics. Avoid conventional laundry detergents and "active wash" products, as these can contain harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners that can affect the bag's performance.
After washing, the sleeping bag needs to be dried thoroughly. This can be done in a tumble dryer on a low-heat setting or by air drying. If using a tumble dryer, add a couple of tennis balls or other small, firm items to the drum to help break up clumps of down and ensure the filling regains its natural loft. If air drying, lay the bag flat to avoid putting strain on the seams.
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Drying a sleeping bag without a tumble dryer
While tumble drying is recommended for sleeping bags, it is not always possible. If you do not have access to a tumble dryer, there are alternative ways to dry your sleeping bag.
Firstly, it is important to note that sleeping bags should be washed infrequently. If possible, use a sleeping bag liner to reduce the need for washing. When washing, use a specialist down cleaning product such as Grangers Down Wash, or a performance wash product for synthetics. Avoid conventional laundry detergents due to their harsh chemicals.
After washing, carefully remove the sleeping bag from the machine, supporting its entire weight to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Gently squeeze out the excess water. If you do not have a tumble dryer, you can lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You can also hang the bag up, but be careful as the seams can split under the weight of the wet filling. It is recommended to lay the bag over something to elevate it from the ground. This process will take a couple of days.
To speed up the drying process, you can try building a heat tent. Drape the bag over a clothes horse next to a radiator, and cover both with a duvet or sheet to trap the heat. You can also use a dehumidifier to help extract the moisture.
If drying your sleeping bag without a tumble dryer, you will need to manually break up clumps of insulation as it dries. This can be done by massaging the filling between your hands or using a couple of tennis balls or small, firm items to tease apart the clumps.
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Avoiding mildew
Mildew is a common issue with sleeping bags, especially down sleeping bags. It can be caused by moisture trapped in the bag, for example, if the bag is not dried properly after washing, or if it is stored in a stuff sack that does not allow the bag to breathe and dry. To avoid mildew, it is important to thoroughly dry your sleeping bag after washing, either in a tumble dryer or by air-drying it. If using a tumble dryer, set it to a low heat or 'delicates' setting and run a complete cycle. It is recommended to put a couple of tennis balls or other small, firm items into the drum with the sleeping bag to help break up any clumps of down and ensure even drying. If air-drying, it is best to lay the bag flat over something to elevate it from the ground. Avoid drying your sleeping bag in direct sunlight or in a stuff sack, as this can trap moisture and create the perfect environment for mildew to grow.
To prevent mildew from building up in storage, it is important to air your sleeping bag whenever practical during use and to dry it thoroughly before storing. When not in use, store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, uncompressed, preferably in a storage cube, storage sack, or loose in a large box or pillowcase. Avoid storing your sleeping bag inside its stuff sack for long periods, as this can trap moisture and encourage mildew growth.
If you do find mildew on your sleeping bag, you can try to remove it by spot-treating the affected area and then washing the bag with a down-specific soap, such as Nikwax Down Wash, and including a product like MiraZyme in the wash to remove any odours. You can also try spritzing the bag with an odour remover like Febreze to get rid of any lingering smells. However, mildew can be difficult to remove completely, and it may be necessary to accept a minor stain if the mould is mostly removed.
To prevent mildew from building up in the first place, consider using a sleeping bag liner. This will reduce the frequency with which you need to wash your sleeping bag. When choosing a detergent, avoid conventional laundry detergents and 'active wash' products, as these can contain harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners that can strip the oils from the down and prevent it from lofting properly. Instead, opt for a soap specifically formulated for down, such as Grangers Down Wash, or a performance wash product for synthetic bags.
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How to wash a sleeping bag by hand
Washing a sleeping bag by hand is a time-consuming task, so it's important to only wash it when it really needs it. Small stains and spillages can usually be cleaned with a damp soapy cloth. If you have any doubts about carrying out the task yourself, consider getting it professionally cleaned.
If you do decide to hand-wash your sleeping bag, start by filling a large tub with cool or warm water. Avoid using hot water, as this can damage the bag. Add the appropriate cleaner for your sleeping bag type. Avoid using conventional laundry detergents, as these can contain harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners that can damage the bag. Instead, opt for a soap specifically formulated for down or synthetic bags.
Once the water and soap are mixed, gently submerge the bag. Due to the amount of air inside, this may be difficult at first. One way to make it easier is to initially leave the bag inside its stuff sack when placing it in the water. Once saturated, the bag will quickly submerge.
Gently wash the bag by massaging it between your hands until you are satisfied that it is clean. Pay extra attention to heavily soiled areas, rubbing them together to help remove dirt and grime. Allow the bag to soak for up to an hour, then drain the tub and press out any remaining water.
Refill the tub with clean, cool or warm water to rinse the bag. Work the soap out gently, then let the bag sit for about 15 minutes before draining the water again. Repeat the rinsing process until all the soap is removed.
Finally, gently squeeze out as much water as you can from the bag. Then, carefully lift it out of the tub and dry it. The bag will be heavy, and the extra weight of wet filling could damage the internal stitching.
To dry the bag, use a tumble dryer set to the lowest heat setting available. If you don't have access to a tumble dryer, you can air dry the bag, but be aware that this will take a couple of days. Lay the bag flat over something to elevate it from the ground, as hanging it up to dry can cause the seams to split.
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How often to wash a sleeping bag
It is important to keep your sleeping bag clean as, over time, body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can reduce its insulating power. However, washing a sleeping bag is an involved and time-consuming job, and you should only wash it occasionally when it shows obvious signs of dirt or odour. If you have any doubts about carrying out the task yourself, you should have it professionally cleaned.
When you return home from a camping trip, always unzip the bag and air it out to ensure it is completely dry before storing it. This will help prevent mildew from forming inside the filling. Store the bag loosely in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It is preferable to store it uncompressed in a storage cube, sack, pillowcase, or loose in a large box. Avoid storing it inside its stuff sack for long periods as this can damage the fill.
If you decide to wash your sleeping bag, first spot clean the bag and only wash it if it really needs it. Most sleeping bags can be washed in a typical household washing machine, preferably a front-loading washer (or top-loading machine without an agitator) on a gentle cycle in warm or cold water with a specialist down cleaning product or soap. Do not use conventional laundry detergents or 'active wash' products as these contain harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners that can strip the oils from the down and prevent it from lofting properly. If your front-loading washing machine does not have a delicate cycle, it is better to hand-wash the bag.
After washing, the bag needs to be dried thoroughly. This should be done slowly, using a tumble dryer set to the lowest heat setting available. The tumbling action of the dryer helps fluff out the filling and prevents it from clumping. If the feathers clump up and stick together, the bag won't perform as well. It is recommended to add a couple of tennis balls or other small, firm items to the drum while drying to help break up any clumps. Once thoroughly dry, all components such as cordlocks should be checked and zips lubed.
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