Gina Johnson
Sleeping bags can be washed in a variety of ways, but dry cleaning is not recommended. The harsh industrial solvents used in dry cleaning can strip the natural oils from the down filling in sleeping bags, which helps it retain loft. This can also happen with certain dry-cleaning chemicals. Sleeping bags can be washed by hand in a bathtub, or in a front-loading washing machine, or a top-loading machine without an agitator. They can also be sent to a professional cleaning service. It is important to use a gentle, non-detergent soap and to avoid bleach and fabric softener. After washing, sleeping bags should be dried thoroughly to prevent mold from forming. This can be done in a dryer with tennis balls to break up clumps, or they can be laid out flat in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Should you dry clean a sleeping bag? | No. Dry cleaning uses industrial solvents that can strip the natural oils from the sleeping bag, which helps it retain loft. |
| Alternative to dry cleaning | You can wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat, or a front-loading washer at home. |
| How to wash a sleeping bag | Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. Use cool or warm water, not hot. |
| How to dry a sleeping bag | You can use a dryer or air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. |
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What You'll Learn
Hand washing a sleeping bag
It is not recommended to dry clean a sleeping bag, especially a thick one, as the chemicals and high temperatures used in the dry cleaning process can damage the insulating materials and reduce their effectiveness. Hand washing is a gentle and effective way to clean a sleeping bag and ensure it stays in good condition. Here is a guide on how to hand wash your sleeping bag:
First, fill a large tub or your bathtub with warm water, avoiding very hot water as it can damage the bag's materials. Add a small amount of mild detergent, such as a down-specific soap or a gentle, powder laundry detergent. Mix the detergent into the water ensuring it is fully dissolved. You should avoid using regular laundry detergent or fabric softener as these can leave a residue that affects the bag's performance.
Gently place your sleeping bag into the tub, unzipping it first if it is zipped closed. Do not cram the bag into the tub, as you need space to move it around and ensure all areas get cleaned. Using your hands, gently agitate the water and move the sleeping bag around, paying extra attention to any stained or dirty areas. You can step into the tub and gently move around to help agitate the water and detergent, being careful not to stretch or tear the bag.
Let the sleeping bag soak for around 15-20 minutes. After soaking, drain the tub and gently press, or squeeze, the water out of the bag. Avoid twisting or wringing the bag, as this can damage the insulation. You may need to refill the tub with clean, detergent-free warm water and repeat the agitating and soaking process to ensure all detergent is removed.
When you are happy that the bag is clean and rinsed, gently press out as much water as possible, then hang the bag to dry. You can hang it outside, but avoid direct sunlight as this can damage the materials. Instead, opt for a shady spot with good airflow. You can also hang the bag inside, ensuring the area is well-ventilated to prevent mildew. Stuffing the bag into a dryer is not recommended as it can damage the insulation and seams.
Finally, ensure your sleeping bag is fully dry before storing it away. You can tell it is dry when you feel no dampness inside, and it should also return to its original loft, or fluffiness. Storing a damp bag can lead to mildew and damage, so it is important to be patient and ensure it is completely dry first.
With these steps, you can effectively hand wash your sleeping bag, keeping it clean and in good condition, ready for your next adventure.
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Using a commercial washer and dryer
It is not recommended to dry clean a sleeping bag. The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils from the down, which helps it retain loft.
If you want to use a commercial washer and dryer to clean your sleeping bag, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. The larger capacity ensures your bag is thoroughly rinsed. If you can't get to a laundromat, you can use a front-loading washer at home, but avoid a top-loading washer with an agitator column as the bag could become entangled and rip.
When washing your sleeping bag, it is important to use the right type of detergent. For synthetic bags, a technical cleaner is recommended, such as Nikwax's Tech-Wash. For down bags, use a soap specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct or Grangers Down Wash. Standard laundry detergent can lead to clumping, reduced loft, or leave a film that affects the bag's performance.
Unzip the bag completely before washing to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking. After washing, gently squeeze out the excess water and proceed to the dryer.
When drying your sleeping bag, it is recommended to use a commercial-size dryer if possible, as the larger capacity allows fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. If you don't have access to a commercial dryer, you can use a home dryer, but set it to low heat as high heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics. For down sleeping bags, add two to three clean tennis balls to the dryer to help break up any clumps of down and restore loft. You can also purchase special dryer balls, such as those included in the Grangers Down Care kit, which work better than tennis balls.
It is important to ensure that your sleeping bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag. Down sleeping bags can take several hours to dry, while synthetic bags will dry more quickly, usually within an hour. If you choose not to use a dryer, you can air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. However, this will take longer, and you may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as the bag dries.
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Why dry cleaning is not recommended
While dry cleaning may seem like a convenient option to clean your thick sleeping bag, it is not recommended due to several reasons. Firstly, the industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils from the down filling in your sleeping bag. These natural oils are essential for maintaining the loft of the down, which helps trap body heat and keep you warm. By removing these oils, the dry cleaning process can reduce the insulating properties of your sleeping bag, making it less effective at retaining heat.
Secondly, dry cleaning can be detrimental to the synthetic filling in sleeping bags. The chemicals used in dry cleaning can damage the synthetic material, reducing its loft and insulating ability. As a result, your sleeping bag may lose its ability to keep you warm during camping or outdoor activities.
Additionally, dry cleaning can be an expensive option compared to other cleaning methods. The cost of dry cleaning a large item like a sleeping bag can be significant, especially when compared to the relatively low cost of hand washing or machine washing it yourself.
Furthermore, dry cleaning may not be easily accessible for everyone. Depending on your location, finding a reliable dry cleaning service that handles sleeping bags may be challenging. In contrast, hand washing or machine washing your sleeping bag can be done at home or at a laundromat without the need for specialized services.
Lastly, dry cleaning may not be environmentally friendly. The chemicals used in the dry cleaning process can be harmful to the environment, and the process may involve the use of non-renewable resources. By avoiding dry cleaning, you can reduce your environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable approach to cleaning your sleeping bag.
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How to air dry a sleeping bag
It is not recommended to dry clean a sleeping bag. The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning can strip the natural oils from the down filling, which helps it retain loft. This will prevent it from lofting properly.
Firstly, if you are washing your sleeping bag, it is recommended to use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. If you are unable to access a laundromat, you can use a front-loading washer at home or hand wash the sleeping bag. Avoid top-loading machines as the mechanical action of the impeller is too rough for sleeping bags and can damage the bag.
After washing, gently squeeze out the excess water. It is important to ensure that you have removed as much water as possible before air drying. If you intend to use a dryer, it is recommended to use a commercial-size dryer, which has a larger capacity that allows fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. Dry on a very low heat, as high heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics.
If you choose not to use a dryer, lay the sleeping bag flat on a clean surface outside, such as grass or a beach towel, in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as the bag dries. This process can take several hours, so be sure to leave the bag out overnight to ensure it is completely dry before storing it.
To speed up the drying process, you can hang the sleeping bag up to dry. However, be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the nylon fabric.
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Cleaning products to use
It is recommended to avoid dry cleaning sleeping bags as the industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils from down fillings, which help down retain its loft.
Instead, sleeping bags can be hand-washed in a bathtub, or machine-washed. If handwashing, it is important to use a clean bathtub, and to fill it with warm water and the recommended amount of the appropriate soap for your bag type. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it, then drain the bathtub and carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the water. Repeat this process until there is no more grime and suds.
If machine washing, use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat, as the larger capacity ensures the bag is rinsed thoroughly. If you can't get to a laundromat, use a front-loading washer at home, or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Wash on a gentle cycle in warm or cold water with an appropriate soap, and rinse at least twice to thoroughly remove the cleaning agent.
For down sleeping bags, use a mild soap that will rinse out without leaving residue, such as Grangers Down Wash, or a gear wash specifically formulated for down, like Nikwax Down Wash Direct. For synthetic bags, use a technical cleaner like Nikwax's Tech-Wash, or Grangers Down Performance Wash. Avoid standard laundry detergents as these can lead to clumping or reduced loft.
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Frequently asked questions
No, dry cleaning a sleeping bag is not recommended. The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils from the filling, which helps it retain its loft.
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, ideally before storing it at the end of the season. You can hand wash it in a bathtub, which can be labor-intensive, or use a commercial-size front-loading washer at a laundromat. If you're washing it at home, avoid using a top-loading washer with an agitator column as the bag could get damaged. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing the specific type of sleeping bag you have (down or synthetic).
It is important to dry your sleeping bag thoroughly before storing it. Synthetic sleeping bags will dry a lot quicker than down sleeping bags. You can use a commercial-size dryer, or air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You can also hang it up to dry, but be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric.
