Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags are often expensive, so it's important to take good care of them to ensure they last for years. Dirt, sweat, oil, and grime can all build up on sleeping bags and degrade their fabrics, loft, and insulation. This can be avoided by keeping your bag clean, airing it out, and storing it properly. It's also important to be gentle with your sleeping bag and to take care of its zippers. When it's time for a wash, it's best to use a specialty soap designed for sleeping bags, and to wash them by hand or in a front-loading washing machine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh bag or hang it up on a hook in a dry closet |
| Washing | Wash only when necessary; use a front-loading washing machine with warm water on a gentle cycle and mild soap; rinse and spin twice; dry with low heat |
| Repairs | Sew patches over tears; use nylon ripstop tape or Band-Aids for quick fixes |
| Maintenance | Air out daily; avoid leaving compressed for long periods; reapply DWR finish to restore water repellency |
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What You'll Learn
How to wash a sleeping bag
To wash a sleeping bag, you can either hand wash it or use a washing machine. Hand washing a sleeping bag can be very labor-intensive, so many people opt to wash their sleeping bags in a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat. If you don't have access to a laundromat, you can use a front-loading washing machine at home. However, avoid using a top-loading washing machine with an agitator column, as your bag could get damaged by becoming entangled or wrapped around it.
If you choose to wash your sleeping bag in a washing machine, use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items. Fill the tub with cool or warm water and add the appropriate cleaner for your down or synthetic bag. Avoid using powdered detergent unless you have a hot wash, as it doesn't dissolve properly in cold water. Never use fabric softener, bleach or alternative-bleach products.
When removing the bag from the washer, support the entire bag (not just one end) to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Gently squeeze out the excess water and proceed to the drying step.
Synthetic sleeping bags will dry a lot quicker than down sleeping bags. Expect a synthetic bag to take at least an hour; a down bag will take several hours to dry thoroughly. Use a commercial-size dryer, if possible, as these 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 set the dryer to low heat. High heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to help agitate the fill back to its original loft. The balls help break up clumps of down to speed the drying process. For synthetic bags, tennis balls are helpful but optional. Run as many cycles as needed to completely dry the bag.
If you don't have access to 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. 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.
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How to dry a sleeping bag
When it comes to drying a sleeping bag, there are several methods you can use to ensure your bag is thoroughly dry. Firstly, it's important to note that you should avoid drying your sleeping bag with high heat, as this can damage the fabric. Instead, opt for low heat for a longer period. If you're using a dryer, a commercial-size one is ideal, as it has a larger capacity that allows the bag to tumble without coming into contact with the hot dryer barrel, which could melt the fabric. 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 and run it for at least an hour, or longer if needed. For down sleeping bags, adding two to three tennis balls can help speed up the drying process by agitating the fill and breaking up clumps.
Alternatively, you can air dry your sleeping bag. Lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, as UV light can degrade the fabric over time. If you choose to hang your bag to dry, be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric. Air drying can take several hours, and you may need to let it air out overnight to ensure it's completely dry.
If you're out camping and your bag gets wet, it's important to air it out as soon as possible. Turn it inside out to dry any moisture, and avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for too long. Using a waterproof stuff sack can help keep your bag dry when it rains, and it's always a good idea to carry your bag in a stuff sack while travelling.
When it comes to drying your sleeping bag after washing, there are a few methods you can use. If you're handwashing, gently squeeze out the excess water before drying. You can also put it in a washing machine on the "spin" setting to remove additional water. If you have access to a dryer, you can start with that, and then switch to air drying once the bag is lighter. Repeat as needed until the bag is completely dry.
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How to store a sleeping bag
To store a sleeping bag, it's important to first give it a thorough cleaning. Natural body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on the outer fabric and the insulation fibres, reducing the bag's performance and potentially resulting in a cold night's sleep. After cleaning, make sure the bag is completely dry before storing it. Leaving your bag compressed for long periods can damage the down feathers, so it's best to store your bag somewhere it can spread out.
The best way to store a sleeping bag is to hang it up on a hook in a dry closet. If you don't have closet space, you can hang it from a curtain rod or purchase a sleeping bag hanger. You can also store it in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack in a dry place. The sack should be roomy enough that it doesn't compress the sleeping bag. If your bag didn't come with a storage sack, you can use a king-size pillowcase or purchase a cotton or mesh sack.
Never store a sleeping bag in a plastic trash bag or non-breathable storage container. Condensation can build up inside and result in mildew. If you want to give your bag some extra care, you can lightly spray it with Febreze or a similar product to kill any pollen or mould spores and give it a fresh smell.
To maintain the quality of your sleeping bag, it's important to avoid crushing the delicate insulating fibres while it's in storage. This can cause the bag to lose its loft, or fluffiness, which will affect its insulating properties.
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How to repair a sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag has a tear or a hole, you can attempt to repair it yourself, or send it to a professional repair service.
For a temporary fix, use duct tape or gear tape to cover the hole. If you are at home, you can cut a patch that is at least 0.5" bigger than the hole, and tape or sew it over the hole. Smooth out any air bubbles, and when you get home, paint over the patch’s edges with Gear Aid’s Seam Grip.
If your sleeping bag has a broken zipper, you can try to fix it yourself by replacing the slider, or send it to a repair service. If the pull tab has come off, you can use a zip tie or ribbon as a temporary fix. If the teeth of the zipper aren't staying together, fully unzip the zipper and examine the slider to see if it is wider than the end stop. If the slider is damaged, or you are unable to fix it, you can order a replacement online.
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How to prevent damage to a sleeping bag
Preventing damage to your sleeping bag is all about careful storage, cleaning, and maintenance. Firstly, always store your bag uncompressed in a dry place. Hanging it on a hook in a dry closet is ideal, but you can also use a large cotton or mesh storage sack. Never store it in a plastic bag or compressed sack, as this will damage the fill. When transporting your bag, use a stuff sack, but remove the bag as soon as you arrive and allow it to regain its loft.
To keep your bag in good condition, always air it out after use and turn it inside out to dry out any moisture. If you're camping, try to sleep in clean clothes to avoid getting your bag dirty. You can also use a sleeping bag liner to keep it cleaner. If your bag does get dirty, wash it with a specialty soap designed for sleeping bags, or a mild soap like Woolite. If you're using a washing machine, opt for a large-capacity, front-loading machine, and use warm water on a gentle cycle. Rinse at least twice to remove all soap residue, which can affect the bag's performance. If washing by hand, fill a bathtub with warm water and soap, and follow a similar process.
Be careful with your bag's zippers and practice using them at home to avoid fabric tears. Never jump around while standing inside the bag, as this can damage the toe box. If you're sitting by a campfire, use an older bag, as sparks can burn holes in a new bag. If you lend your bag to someone, explain how to use it properly and ask them to use a liner. Finally, consider reapplying a durable water repellent finish to the shell to keep the bag cleaner and improve water repellency.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to never store your sleeping bag compressed. Hang it up on a hook in a dry closet or store it in a large breathable cotton or mesh bag in a dry place.
Wash your sleeping bag only when necessary. First, repair any tears, then choose a detergent for cleaning. You can use specialty soaps designed for cleaning down or synthetic sleeping bags, or a mild soap like Woolite. If you're using a washing machine, opt for a large-capacity, front-loading machine and use warm water on a gentle cycle. Rinse and spin at least twice to thoroughly remove the cleaning agent. If you're washing by hand, fill a bathtub with warm water and soap, then zip up the bag, turn it inside out, and let it soak for an hour or two. Drain the tub, rinse the bag, and repeat the rinsing at least twice to get all the soap out.
To keep your sleeping bag in good condition, air it out daily and make sure it's completely dry before storing. When sitting by a campfire, use an older synthetic bag to avoid burning holes in your bag. Be picky about lending your bag to others and set some rules, such as asking them to use a liner.
