Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping bags should be washed infrequently, but regular use can lead to a buildup of dirt, body oils, and grime, which can damage the bag and compromise its insulation. Therefore, it is important to know how to wash your sleeping bag to prolong its life and improve its performance. However, it is not recommended to wash a sleeping bag before its first use. Instead, it should be shaken out and aired.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frequency of washing | Wash sleeping bags annually or after 50 uses. |
| First use | It is not recommended to wash a sleeping bag before its first use. |
| Washing methods | Machine wash, hand wash, spot cleaning, professional laundering |
| Advantages of washing | Removes dirt, sweat, body oils, grime, and odours. |
| Disadvantages of washing | Wear and tear, loss of loft, damage to materials, impact on quality and performance. |
| Washing considerations | Waterproof or water-resistant outer lining, type of detergent, drying method, temperature, washing instructions. |
| Alternatives to washing | Use a sleeping bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, air out the bag. |
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What You'll Learn
Washing a sleeping bag for the first time
Before you wash your sleeping bag for the first time, check the manufacturer's instructions, which should be printed on a tag, draft tube, or elsewhere on the bag. If you own a Sea to Summit sleeping bag, some models come with care instructions printed right on the storage cell.
If you're washing a down sleeping bag, you may want to consider paying a professional to clean it, as it requires more time and careful attention. If you decide to wash it yourself, make sure you use a soap that is made for washing down items, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a very mild soap that will rinse out without leaving residue. Do not use conventional laundry detergent.
If you're washing a synthetic sleeping bag, use a performance wash product.
To wash your sleeping bag, you can use a commercial washer at a laundromat, or a front-loading washer at home. Avoid a top-loading washer with an agitator column because your bag could get damaged by becoming entangled or wrapped around it.
Alternatively, you can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub. First, make sure the bathtub is clean. Then, turn the sleeping bag inside out, place it in the tub, and add warm water and the recommended amount of the appropriate soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it. Do not pick up the bag during this process, as the weight of the water can tear out the baffles of a down bag or the stitching of a synthetic bag. After each kneading cycle, drain the bathtub and then carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the water. Refill the tub with clean water and repeat the process until there are no more suds.
If you're using a washing machine, support the entire bag when removing it from the washer to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Gently squeeze out the excess water, then put the sleeping bag in a tumble dryer. Set the dryer to low heat or 'delicates' and run a complete cycle.
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How often to wash a sleeping bag
It is not necessary to wash a sleeping bag after every trip, but it is a good idea to launder it at least once a year. If you use your sleeping bag more frequently, you may need to wash it more often than annually. It is recommended to wash your bag before storing it for an extended period of time, as body oils and other residues can build up and affect the bag's performance and longevity.
The need to wash a sleeping bag depends on various factors, such as the frequency of use, the conditions it has been exposed to, and the presence of visible dirt or grime. Sleeping bags can be machine washed, hand washed, or sent to a professional cleaning service. If you choose to machine wash your sleeping bag, use a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Select the gentle cycle with warm or cold water and an appropriate soap, such as a detergent specifically designed for outdoor gear or a non-detergent soap for down-filled items. Avoid using too much soap, as it can be challenging to remove all the residue. It is recommended to rinse the bag at least twice or run it through an additional soap-free wash-and-rinse cycle.
When removing the bag from the washer, support its entire weight, not just one end, to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Gently squeeze out the excess water before drying. For the drying process, set the dryer to low heat to avoid damaging delicate fabrics. Synthetic sleeping bags will dry faster than down sleeping bags. Expect a synthetic bag to take at least an hour, while a down bag can take several hours to dry thoroughly. To speed up the drying process, you can add clean tennis balls or a pair of clean sneakers to the dryer when the down bag is almost dry.
To hand wash a 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 bag to force the water and soap through it, being careful not to pick up the bag during this process as the weight of the water can strain the stitching. Drain the bathtub and carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the excess water. Refill the tub with clean water and repeat the process until all the soap residue is removed.
To maintain the cleanliness of your sleeping bag and reduce the frequency of washing, consider using a sleeping bag liner. Liners act as a barrier between your skin and the bag, preventing the buildup of body oils, sweat, and dirt. They can be made of various materials, such as cotton, silk, wool, or polyester, and are lightweight and easy to clean. Additionally, always follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer, as they know the best practices for their specific products.
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Machine vs. hand washing
Machine washing your sleeping bag can be a convenient option, especially if you have access to a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and use a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and an appropriate soap. Adding other damp items like towels can help balance the spin of the machine. To ensure thorough rinsing, rinse at least twice or run a complete wash-and-rinse cycle without soap. When drying, use low heat and avoid high temperatures that can damage the fabric. For down bags, adding clean tennis balls or sneakers towards the end of the drying cycle can help.
On the other hand, hand washing your sleeping bag can be a more labour-intensive process but offers greater control over the cleaning. It is suitable when no machines are available or when dealing with delicate fabrics. To hand wash, fill a clean bathtub with warm water and add the recommended amount of suitable soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it, being careful not to pick up the bag when it is full of water. Drain the tub and squeeze out excess water before proceeding to the drying step. When drying a hand-washed sleeping bag, it is important to avoid balling up the bag and to lay it flat or hang it up in a low-humidity area.
Both machine washing and hand washing have their advantages and considerations. Machine washing may be more convenient and accessible, especially with larger commercial washers, but it is important to ensure the machine is suitable for sleeping bags and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Hand washing provides greater control and is ideal for delicate fabrics, but it can be more physically demanding and time-consuming. Ultimately, the decision between machine washing and hand washing depends on factors such as the specific care instructions of your sleeping bag, the equipment available, and your personal preference.
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Spot cleaning
If your sleeping bag is only slightly dirty, spot cleaning is a good option. This is because washing a sleeping bag can subject it to wear and tear and decrease its loft.
To spot clean your sleeping bag, first, make a paste with a little non-detergent soap and water. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the shell of the bag. Focus on areas like the hood and collar, where hair and skin oils tend to accumulate. While cleaning, hold the shell or liner fabric away from the insulation so that you can wash and rinse the area without getting the inside fill wet.
If you do get the fill wet, make sure to give the bag plenty of time to air dry before rolling it back up and returning it to storage. This is because if the bag is put away even slightly damp, mould or mildew can form.
If your sleeping bag is heavily soiled or has lost its fluffiness (loft), then it's time to give it a full wash. However, this is not necessary after every trip, and you can usually get away with laundering it at least once a year.
To keep your bag cleaner for longer, consider using a sleeping bag liner. Liners can be made from cotton, silk, wool, or polyester and are lightweight. They act as a barrier between your skin and the bag, keeping it clean, and can add 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit to its temperature rating. At the end of each trip, simply wash the liner, and your bag will be good to go again.
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Drying a sleeping bag
Using a Dryer
If you're using a dryer, it's best to opt for a commercial-size dryer if possible. Commercial dryers have larger capacities, allowing fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble without coming into contact with the hot dryer barrel, which could melt the delicate nylon fabric. If you don't have access to a commercial dryer, a home dryer can be used, but it's important to set it to low heat to avoid damaging the fabric. For down sleeping bags, adding two to three tennis balls can help break up clumps of down and speed up the drying process. For synthetic bags, tennis balls are optional but can still be helpful. It's better to dry on low heat for a longer time than to use high heat to speed up the process. Run the dryer for at least an hour, and repeat the cycle as needed until the bag is completely dry.
Air Drying
If you prefer to air dry your sleeping bag, lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. Alternatively, you can hang it up to dry, but be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the nylon fabric. Air drying may take longer, but you can speed up the process by first using a dryer on low heat to start the drying process, then hanging it up to finish.
Additional Tips
To ensure your sleeping bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag, consider laying it out or hanging it up overnight. You can also roll it up in a few towels and press on the roll to soak up additional water. If you're using a washing machine, you can set it to ""Spin"" to help remove excess water before drying.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not necessary to wash your sleeping bag before the first use. In fact, it's recommended that you wash your sleeping bag as rarely as possible.
It is recommended that you wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, at a minimum. If you use your bag more frequently, you may want to wash it more often.
First, check the manufacturer's instructions on the bag. If you're handwashing, fill a bathtub with lukewarm water and add a mild detergent. Turn the sleeping bag inside out and place it in the tub. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it. If you're using a washing machine, make sure it's a front-loading washer without an agitator. Set the machine to a gentle cycle and use a mild detergent.
You can either air-dry your sleeping bag or use a dryer. If you're using a dryer, set it to low heat and add a few dryer balls to speed up drying time and break up clumps of fill. Make sure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it.
You can keep your sleeping bag clean by using a sleeping bag liner, sleeping in clean clothes, and airing out your bag whenever it gets damp.
