Miya Pearson
Sleeping bags are essential for camping, and keeping them clean is necessary to ensure peak performance from the insulation. While some people prefer to have their bags professionally laundered, it is also possible to wash them at home, either by hand or in a washing machine. The method of cleaning will depend on the shell and filler materials of the bag, and it is important to use the correct type of detergent to avoid damaging the bag. Sleeping bags should be washed at least once a year, or more frequently if used regularly, to remove dirt and body oils that can compromise the insulation and leave the bag smelling unpleasant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wash frequency | A full wash is recommended once a year or so, with small spot treatments in between. More frequent washing is required if the sleeping bag is used more often. |
| Wash methods | Hand washing or machine washing (front-loading without agitator) are both suitable methods. |
| Drying | Air drying is the best method, but it takes a long time (up to 20 hours). Dryers can be used on low or medium heat settings. |
| Soap | Use a mild, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. Avoid liquid soaps, bleach, and conventional laundry detergents. |
| Precautions | Do not wring out the sleeping bag as it will ruin the insulation. Avoid dry cleaning and fabric softeners as they can strip natural oils. |
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What You'll Learn
Hand washing vs machine washing
When it comes to washing a sleeping bag, there are two main methods: hand washing and machine washing. Both have their own advantages and considerations, which will be outlined below.
Hand Washing:
Hand washing a sleeping bag can be a safe and gentle way to clean it. It is important to use warm water and a suitable soap or detergent. Avoid standard laundry detergents as these can cause clumping, reduced loft, or leave a film on the bag. Instead, opt for a technical cleaner designed for synthetic bags, such as Nikwax's Tech-Wash. Completely unzip the bag before washing to prevent any damage to the slider. Gently agitate the bag with your hands and let it soak for about 20 minutes. Rinsing is a crucial step; ensure you rinse the bag at least twice to thoroughly remove any soap residue. If the bag is particularly soiled, you may need to repeat the rinsing step or use a soft, damp towel to wipe away soap from the surface.
Machine Washing:
Most sleeping bags can be machine washed, provided a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator is used. Avoid using a dryer or taking it to a dry cleaner as these can damage the zippers and affect the bag's warmth. When machine washing, opt for a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and a suitable soap. To prevent over-sudsing, use a minimal amount of soap. Adding a few damp articles, such as towels or t-shirts, can help balance the spin of the machine. Similar to hand washing, rinsing is important. Rinse at least twice to ensure all soap residue is removed, or run a second, soap-free wash-and-rinse cycle.
Drying:
After washing, whether by hand or machine, the sleeping bag needs to be dried properly. Avoid using a dryer with high heat as this can damage the fabric or fill. Instead, lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up to air dry. For down bags, manually break up any clumps of insulation as the bag dries, and add clean tennis balls or sneakers to the dryer when the bag is nearly dry.
Spot Cleaning:
It is worth noting that a full wash of the sleeping bag is not always necessary. Spot cleaning is often sufficient and lessens the wear and tear on the bag. Pay particular attention to the top part of the bag, where the neckline connects to the bag lining, as this area is prone to staining from hair and skin oils. Use a small bowl, non-detergent liquid soap, and a toothbrush to gently work the soap into the stained areas. Then, use a damp towel to wipe away the soap.
Prevention:
To reduce the need for frequent washing, there are some preventative measures to keep in mind. Firstly, always sleep in clean clothes and use a sleeping bag liner to create a barrier between your skin and the bag. This will help prevent the transfer of body oils, sweat, and dirt onto the bag. Additionally, avoid storing your bag compressed in its stuff sack for prolonged periods, as this can damage the fill. Instead, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a pillowcase, or a homemade cotton bag.
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How to dry a sleeping bag
Drying a sleeping bag can take at least two to three hours, with down sleeping bags taking longer than synthetic. Here are some tips for drying a sleeping bag:
Use a dryer
If using a dryer, opt for a commercial-size one, as they have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. If you don't have access to a commercial dryer, you can use a home dryer, but be sure to set it to low heat. High heat can damage the sleeping bag's delicate fabric. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer to help agitate the fill back to its original loft and speed up the drying process. For synthetic bags, tennis balls are optional.
Air-dry
If you don't want to use a dryer, you can air-dry your sleeping 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. It's important to ensure that your bag is completely dry before storing it, as leaving it damp can cause mould to form.
Combine methods
You can also combine the above methods. For example, you could air-dry your sleeping bag for a while, then tumble dry it when it's lighter, and then go back to air-drying. Alternatively, you could hang it up to dry overnight and then put it in the dryer on "air dry" (no heat) for 30 minutes to finish it off.
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How often to wash a sleeping bag
It is important to keep your sleeping bag clean to ensure its longevity. Body oils, sweat, dirt, and sunscreen can all degrade the insulating power of your sleeping bag over time. Therefore, it is recommended to wear clean clothes and wipe off any sunscreen before entering your sleeping bag. A sleeping bag liner can also be used to keep the bag clean by acting as a barrier between your skin and the bag.
The frequency with which you should wash your sleeping bag depends on several factors, including the type of bag, the materials it is made of, and how often it is used. If you use your sleeping bag regularly, it is recommended to wash it at least once a season or every 3-4 months. If you use your sleeping bag infrequently, such as only a few times a year, washing it once a year should be sufficient.
However, it's important to note that washing a sleeping bag too frequently can also be detrimental. Washing can subject the bag to wear and tear and decrease its loft, so it is recommended to spot clean the bag whenever possible. Check your bag periodically to inspect the seams, zippers, and drawcords and to feel the insulation and ensure it is evenly distributed. If the insulation is settling unevenly, a wash and dry cycle may help to redistribute it.
The shell and filler materials of your sleeping bag will also determine how often you should wash it. If the shell is made of polyester, nylon, acrylic, cotton, or brushed cotton, and the filler is polyester, acrylic, cotton, feathers, or down, the sleeping bag is generally safe to wash. However, bags with cotton, feathers, or down fillers will take longer to dry and require special attention to ensure they are completely dry to prevent the formation of mould and unpleasant odours.
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The right soaps/detergents to use
It is important to use the right soaps/detergents to clean your sleeping bag. The type of soap/detergent you should use depends on the type of sleeping bag you own.
For down sleeping bags, use a mild soap or a soap specifically formulated for down. Down soap can be purchased at most outdoor retail shops. Avoid using standard laundry detergent, as the fillers and optical brighteners can stick to the down plumes and feathers, preventing them from lofting. You can also use a down wash, which is very mild and will rinse out without leaving residue. Examples of down wash include Grangers Down Wash, Nikwax Down Wash, and Gear Aid's Revivex Down Cleaner.
For synthetic sleeping bags, use a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash, Grangers Down Performance Wash, or Gear Aid's Revivex Pro Cleaner. Avoid using standard laundry detergent, as it can leave a film that acts as a hydrophobic agent.
In general, when washing a sleeping bag, it is important to use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. You can also use a mild, non-detergent soap for spot cleaning your sleeping bag.
Some specific soaps that have been recommended for washing sleeping bags include Dr. Bronner's Pure Castille soap, Woolite, and Atsko Sport Wash. However, it is important to note that some people have found that castile soap does not rinse out well in cold or warm water.
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How to wash different types of sleeping bags
Most sleeping bags can be washed in a machine, but you should always check the care instructions from the manufacturer. If you're washing your sleeping bag at home, use a front-loading machine without an agitator on a gentle cycle. You can also hand-wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, but this can be very labor-intensive.
The type of soap you use will depend on the type of sleeping bag you have. For down sleeping bags, use a very mild soap that will rinse out without leaving residue, such as Grangers Down Wash. For synthetic sleeping bags, use a performance wash product, such as Grangers Down Performance Wash. Avoid using conventional laundry detergents or 'active wash' products, as the harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners can stick to the fibres and reduce the loft.
If you're washing your sleeping bag in a machine, you can add a couple of T-shirts or a towel to help balance the spin of the machine. Rinse at least twice to ensure all the soap residue is gone, or run it through a second time without soap. When the cycle is complete, gently squeeze out the excess water.
If you're hand-washing your sleeping bag, turn it inside out and place it in a clean bathtub with warm water and the recommended amount of soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force the water and soap through it, but do not pick it up during this process, as the weight of the water can tear out the baffles.
After washing your sleeping bag, you can dry it in a dryer on medium heat or lay it flat on a clean surface outside. Down sleeping bags can take several hours to dry, so you may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as it dries. To speed up the process, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer, or special dryer balls designed for this purpose.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can wash a sleeping bag. However, it is recommended to check the bag's care instructions and the type of sleeping bag it is, either natural down or synthetic.
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year. If you are a frequent camper, you may need to wash it more often.
You can hand wash or machine wash a sleeping bag. If you choose to hand wash, use a bathtub, and a specialty sleeping bag detergent or a mild regular detergent. If you machine wash, use a front-loading washing machine without an agitator and wash on a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and an appropriate soap.
You can air dry your sleeping bag by laying it flat on a clean surface outside or using a dryer with a low heat setting. Avoid using high heat as it can damage the sleeping bag.
