Colin Snow
Sleeping bags should be cleaned at least once a year, or more often if used frequently, to prevent body oils and greasy residues from building up. While ALPS Mountaineering sleeping bags are best spot cleaned, if a thorough clean is required, there are several steps you can take to clean your sleeping bag effectively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Minimum once a year, or more often if used frequently. Wash before storing for an extended period. |
| Preventative measures | Use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag to keep it dry. |
| Washing methods | Hand wash in a bathtub, or use a commercial front-loading washer at a laundromat. Avoid top-loading washers and dry cleaning. |
| Drying methods | Use a commercial dryer, air dry on a flat surface, or hang up to dry. |
| Detergents | Avoid standard laundry detergent. Use a gear wash formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a non-detergent soap. |
| Rinsing | Rinse at least twice to remove cleaning agents. Avoid over-soaping, as it will be hard to rinse out. |
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack, a pillowcase, or a homemade cotton bag. Avoid storing compressed in its stuff sack or in a watertight bag. |
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What You'll Learn
- Spot cleaning: use a toothbrush and mild soap to gently clean the shell
- Machine washing: use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle
- Hand washing: soak in a bathtub with mild detergent and scrub gently
- Drying: use a commercial dryer, or air dry on a flat surface
- Storage: store loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack
Spot cleaning: use a toothbrush and mild soap to gently clean the shell
Spot cleaning is the best way to clean your sleeping bag. This method is gentle and ensures the bag does not get damaged. It is also recommended to clean your bag before storing it for an extended period.
To spot clean your ALPS sleeping bag, first, make a paste with non-detergent soap and water. You can use a mild soap, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a soap that specifies it is safe for use on down items. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out. Standard laundry detergent should be avoided as it can lead to clumping or reduced loft.
Next, use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell of your sleeping bag. Focus on the hood and collar, where hair and skin oils tend to accumulate. 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.
Finally, rinse the area thoroughly with water. You can use a damp cloth to wipe the area and ensure all soap residue is removed. It is important to remove all soap before drying, as soap residue can impact the bag's insulating power.
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Machine washing: use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle
While ALPS Mountaineering does not recommend putting their sleeping bags in the washing machine, if you decide to do so, it is best to use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle.
First, check the label for specific instructions. If you are unable to find the label, you can look up the instructions online. Before washing, turn the sleeping bag inside out and zip it completely to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking.
When using a front-loading machine, it is important to use a mild detergent and cold water. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out. Set the machine to a gentle cycle to avoid damaging the sleeping bag.
After the wash cycle is complete, remove the bag from the machine by supporting 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.
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Hand washing: soak in a bathtub with mild detergent and scrub gently
When it comes to cleaning an Alps Engineering sleeping bag, hand washing is a recommended option. This method is particularly useful if you don't have access to a suitable washing machine. Here's a detailed guide on how to hand wash your sleeping bag effectively:
Prepare the Bathtub:
Start by filling your bathtub with cool to warm water. Avoid very hot water, as it may damage the bag. Add a mild detergent or soap specifically formulated for down items, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct. Avoid using excessive amounts of soap, as it will be challenging to rinse out.
Soaking and Scrubbing:
Gently place your sleeping bag into the bathtub, ensuring it is fully submerged and soaked. Use only the soft side of a sponge or a soft-bristled brush to gently scrub the bag. Avoid vigorous scrubbing, as it may damage the fabric. Focus on areas like the hood and collar, where hair and skin oils tend to accumulate. If your sleeping bag has tough stains, you can make a paste with a small amount of non-detergent soap and water and use a toothbrush to gently clean those areas.
Rinsing:
After scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the sleeping bag to remove any detergent residue. Rinse at least twice to ensure no soap is left behind. If the bag is pooling water or feels overly spongy, continue rinsing until it feels damp but not drenched. Support the entire bag when removing it from the bathtub to avoid straining and ripping the seams.
Drying:
Before storing or using your sleeping bag, ensure it is completely dry. Gently squeeze out the excess water, then lay the bag 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 fabric. For down sleeping bags, adding two to three tennis balls during the drying process helps restore the loft and speeds up drying.
Remember to always consult the care instructions provided by the manufacturer of your sleeping bag. These instructions can usually be found on a label or the manufacturer's website.
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Drying: use a commercial dryer, or air dry on a flat surface
Although ALPS Engineering does not recommend putting their sleeping bags in the washing machine, you may still need to dry your bag after spot cleaning or hand washing.
If you are using a commercial dryer, it is recommended to put your sleeping bag in a large dryer set to low or no heat until it seems mostly dry. Then, hang it up indoors for a day or two to finish drying.
If you are air-drying your sleeping bag, it is important to lay 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 nylon fabric. It is also recommended to let the bag air dry overnight to ensure it is completely dry before placing it in its storage bag.
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Storage: store loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack
When storing your sleeping bag, it's important to remember that how you store it can affect its lifespan. Firstly, ensure that the bag is completely dry before storing it. Then, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack. This type of sack is often included when you purchase a sleeping bag, but it can also be purchased separately. Alternatively, you can use a large pillowcase or sew your own cotton bag.
It is not recommended to store your sleeping bag compressed in its stuff sack as this will eventually damage the fill. Similarly, do not use a watertight storage bag. Condensation can build up inside, resulting in mildew.
If you are storing your sleeping bag for an extended period, it's a good idea to give it a wash beforehand. Body oils and other greasy residues will stay on the fabric and fibres if the bag is packed away without a wash. However, washing a sleeping bag is not always necessary and can subject it to wear and tear. Therefore, spot cleaning is often the best method. Make a paste with non-detergent soap and water, and use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell, focusing on areas like the hood and collar where hair and skin oils tend to accumulate.
If your bag is losing loft and is darkened with grime, then it's time for a full wash. You can hand wash it in a bathtub, use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat, or send it to a professional cleaning service. If you are using a machine, it is recommended to use a front-loading washer and avoid top-loading washers with agitator columns as your bag could become entangled. For down bags, use a gear wash specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a product that states it is safe for down. Avoid standard laundry detergent as this can lead to clumping or reduced loft.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to clean your sleeping bag at least once a year. If you use your bag more frequently, you may need to wash it more often. It's a good idea to wash your bag before storing it for an extended period.
Spot cleaning is the best method to clean your sleeping bag. Create a paste with non-detergent soap and water, and use a toothbrush to gently scrub the dirty areas, focusing on the hood and collar. If your bag is very dirty, you can hand wash it in a bathtub with mild detergent and warm water, scrubbing gently with a sponge. For down bags, use a specialised gear wash like Nikwax Down Wash Direct. Avoid dry cleaning and top-loading washing machines as these can damage the bag.
After washing, gently squeeze out excess water from the bag. You can then use a commercial dryer on low or no heat until the bag is mostly dry. Finally, hang it up to air dry for at least a day or two until it is completely dry. Ensure your bag is thoroughly dry before storing it in its bag.
