Evie Summers
Mildew and mould can destroy camping gear, so it's important to know how to clean it off your sleeping bag. It's recommended to wash and dry your sleeping bag regularly, but because it's made with specialty fabric, the process is a little different from cleaning regular linens. You'll want to check the care instructions on your sleeping bag, but generally, you'll want to close all zippers, turn the bag inside out, and wash it on a delicate/gentle cycle with cold or warm water. You can use a specialised liquid detergent, or an enzyme cleaner like Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator to kill the mildew, clean the item, and eliminate the smell. You can also try a diluted bleach water solution, or a specialised cleaner like MiraZyme to remove odours.
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What You'll Learn
Air out the bag in a dry place for several days
Airing out your sleeping bag in a dry place for several days is a crucial step in removing mould and preventing it from returning. Mould thrives in damp, poorly ventilated environments, so it is important to ensure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it away.
Firstly, choose a dry, well-ventilated room to air your sleeping bag. If possible, select a room with windows that can be opened to increase airflow and ventilation. If the weather permits, you may also choose to air your sleeping bag outdoors, but be mindful of potential rain or moisture.
When preparing your sleeping bag for airing, ensure it is fully unzipped to expose the inner lining. This will allow air to circulate within the bag, drying out any moisture trapped inside. You may also choose to turn the bag inside out to ensure all areas are exposed to airflow.
Depending on the severity of the mould, you may need to air your sleeping bag for several days. Regularly check the bag for any remaining signs of mould, such as small black or white spots. These spots indicate mildew, a type of mould that commonly grows on fabrics. If you notice any discolouration or staining, this could indicate remaining mould, and you may need to repeat the cleaning process.
While airing your sleeping bag, avoid placing it near direct heat sources, such as radiators or fireplaces. Direct heat can damage the fabric of the sleeping bag, and may not effectively remove all moisture, potentially trapping it within the fabric. Instead, opt for a cool, dry environment with good airflow.
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Wash the bag with a specialised liquid detergent
If your sleeping bag has a mildew issue, it is important to remove it with a specialised liquid detergent to prevent further damage. Firstly, check the care instructions on your sleeping bag. Close all zippers and turn the bag inside out. Select a delicate/gentle cycle with cold or warm water.
If your bag is synthetic, use a specialised synthetic cleaner, such as Pro Cleaner, and for down-filled bags, use a Down Cleaner. For extra smelly bags, add a capful of Revivex Odor Eliminator or Mirazyme to the fabric softener dispenser. You can also use an undiluted quat-only solution, diluted in water, to soak your sleeping bag before washing. Ensure that you use an unscented detergent, as scents may get trapped in the fibres.
After washing, run an additional spin cycle to speed up drying time. Then, dry the bag on a low-medium heat setting and check periodically to ensure the fabric does not melt. Once dry, store the bag loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack.
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Dry the bag in the sun
Drying your sleeping bag in the sun is an effective way to prevent and eliminate mould. The sun's UV rays are harsh on mould, so leaving your sleeping bag out to dry in sunlight can help to kill mould spores.
If you are camping, and notice that your bag has become damp, unzip the bag and lay it open to speed up the evaporation of moisture. If the sun comes out, be sure to place the bag out in the open for as long as possible.
If you are at home, you can also hang your sleeping bag out to dry in the sun. This is a good way to freshen up your bag, even if it doesn't have mould. However, be aware that direct sunlight may cause colour fading or photodegradation of the exterior shell of your bag. If you are concerned about this, you can spritz the bag with a diluted solution of bleach or vinegar before hanging it out to dry in the sun. Be sure to test a small area of the bag first to check for any adverse effects.
If your bag has a strong musty smell, you can use a specialised product, such as Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator, to remove the odour. Soak the bag in a diluted solution of the product, then hang it out to dry in the sun without rinsing.
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Use an enzyme cleaner to kill mould and eliminate odours
If you want to use an enzyme cleaner to kill mould and eliminate odours from your sleeping bag, you can use products such as Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator (formerly called Mirazyme). This product contains enzymes and microbes that kill mildew and eliminate odours. It is commonly used on wet suits, Gore-tex dry suits, and sandals to remove bad smells and funk.
To use Odor Eliminator, fill your bathtub or a plastic container with lukewarm water—not too hot and not too cold—and add one capful of the product per 20 gallons of water. Then, dip the sleeping bag into the diluted solution and let it soak for 15 minutes. You can also spray it on—be sure to check the product's directions.
If you're looking for an alternative to enzyme cleaners, you can try airing out your sleeping bag in a dry place for several days. You can also spritz it with an odour remover such as Febreze, or vinegar, and let it dry in the sun for a couple of days.
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Prevent mould by hanging the bag to dry after use
To prevent mould from growing on your sleeping bag, it is important to hang it up to dry after every use. This is because mildew can grow on gear that is stored in a damp place, such as a basement or garage.
If you're camping, unzip the bag most of the way and lay it open so the lining is exposed. This will help speed up the evaporation of any moisture that has accumulated inside the bag overnight. If the sun comes out, get the bag into the open so it can dry further.
When you get home, hang the bag up to dry in a well-ventilated area. If you can hang it outside, the sun's UV rays will help to kill any mould spores. If you can't hang the bag outside, make sure the room is well-ventilated to help the bag dry as quickly as possible.
If you're unable to hang the bag, you can also lay it flat to dry. Just make sure that the room is well-ventilated and that the bag is not stored in a damp place.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check the care instructions on your sleeping bag. If it is made from synthetic fabric, you can wash it yourself. If it is cotton, you may need to be more careful as the fabric may be weakened and prone to tearing. You can try a few different methods to clean your sleeping bag:
- Soak the bag in a diluted solution of Gear Aid Revivex Odor Eliminator or undiluted quat in a bathtub, then rinse and repeat.
- Wash the bag with a specialised liquid detergent, such as Pro Cleaner for synthetic-filled bags or Down Cleaner for down-filled bags.
- Spritz the bag with diluted bleach water or an odor-remover spray, then leave it in the sun to dry.
To prevent mold from growing on your sleeping bag, make sure you dry it out thoroughly after every trip. You can also spray the exterior with a durable water repellent (DWR) to prevent the fabric from becoming wet.
Store your sleeping bag in a loose, breathable cotton sack.
You should clean your sleeping bag at least once a year.
