Gina Johnson
Sleeping bags can be a significant investment, so it's important to know how to clean and care for them properly to ensure they last for many years. Whether your bag is down or synthetic, keeping it clean, dry and protected will help it last longer and insulate more efficiently. While some people prefer to have their bags professionally laundered, it is possible to clean your sleeping bag yourself.
How to Clean an Old Mummy Sleeping Bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Minimum once a year, but more often if used frequently |
| When to wash | Before storing for a long period |
| How to prevent dirt | Use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag |
| How to wash | Hand wash in a bathtub or use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat |
| Type of detergent | Mild soap, avoid harsh laundry detergents |
| Drying | Use a commercial-size dryer, air dry, or hang dry |
| Storage | Loose storage in a cotton or mesh sack, pillowcase, or DIY cotton bag |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sleeping bag liner
A sleeping bag liner is a great way to keep your bag clean and extend its life. It provides an additional layer of protection, trapping dirt, oils, and sweat before they reach the bag itself. Liners are much easier to clean than a bag, and they pack down small, making them simple to transport and store. They are also relatively inexpensive, especially when compared to the cost of a new sleeping bag. You can choose from a variety of materials, each with its own benefits. Silk liners are soft, comfortable, and pack down very small, making them a luxurious yet practical choice. Cotton liners are breathable and easy to clean, a good option for warmer climates. Synthetic liners, often made from polyester or nylon, are durable and quick-drying, ideal for active travelers or those in damp environments. To use a liner, simply unroll it and lay it inside your bag. Most liners are shaped like a sleeping bag, so they are easy to fit, and they usually have some sort of fastening that ensures they stay in place. When you need to clean the liner, simply remove it from the bag and follow the care instructions. Typically, they can be machine washed and hung to dry, a much easier process than cleaning the bag itself. Sleeping bag liners are a great way to keep your bag in good condition, and they can also add a little extra warmth on cooler nights.
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Wash by hand or professionally
If you want to wash your mummy sleeping bag by hand, you will need to dedicate a fair amount of time and effort. It is best done on a hot, sunny day. First, check the manufacturer's washing instructions, which may be printed on a tag, draft tube, or elsewhere on the bag. If you are using a bathtub, fill it with warm water and add a specialty soap designed for cleaning down or synthetic sleeping bags. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be harder to rinse out. Ivory Snow or Woolite are mild soaps that will also work, provided you rinse thoroughly.
Next, zip up the bag, turn it inside out, and place it in the water. Work the soapy water into the bag, allowing it to soak for up to an hour or two. Drain the soapy water and refill the tub with clean water. Rinse the sleeping bag and repeat this rinsing process at least twice to ensure all the soap is removed.
After rinsing, slowly roll the bag into a cylinder, gently squeezing out the excess water. Do not twist or wring the bag. Transfer the bag outside to a netted hammock or chaise lounge in the sun. Turn the bag frequently and break up any clumps of fill. Depending on the bag, it could take hours or even days to dry this way. To speed up the process, you can spin-dry the bag in a front-loading washing machine and then machine-dry it on the lowest temperature. When using a dryer, add some heavy cotton towels to absorb water and a few tennis balls to help break up clumps.
If you would rather not wash your sleeping bag by hand, you can send it to a professional service, such as Rainy Pass Repair. They will have the necessary equipment to clean your bag effectively.
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Choose the right detergent
When choosing a detergent for your sleeping bag, it is important to consider the type of bag you have. For synthetic bags, a technical cleaner like Nikwax's Tech-Wash is recommended. Standard laundry detergent can cause clumping or reduced loft and leave a film that acts as a hydrophobic agent. For down sleeping bags, a detergent specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, is suggested. Standard laundry detergents can lead to similar issues as synthetic bags, including clumping and reduced loft.
If you are using a front-loading washing machine, it is recommended to use a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and an appropriate soap. It is important to use as little detergent as possible to avoid over-sudsing and to rinse the bag at least twice to ensure all soap residue is removed. If you are handwashing your bag, you can make a paste with a small amount of 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 accumulate.
It is worth noting that some sources suggest avoiding laundry detergent altogether for down sleeping bags, as the brighteners and fillers may stick to the polyester fibers and reduce loft. Instead, they recommend using a front-loading washing machine on a gentle cycle or hand-washing the bag. If you choose to hand wash, be sure to knead the bag to force clean water through it and rinse until there are no more suds.
Additionally, it is recommended to wash your sleeping bag without any other clothes in the machine and to dry it on low heat. Adding tennis balls to the dryer can help break up clumps and fluff up the insulation.
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Dry it thoroughly
Drying your sleeping bag thoroughly is essential to prevent mildew and ensure it retains its insulating power. The best method for drying your bag depends on its material composition.
Synthetic Sleeping Bags
Synthetic sleeping bags are relatively quick to dry. Expect a synthetic bag to take at least an hour to dry. To speed up the process, use a commercial-size dryer if possible. 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 melt the delicate nylon fabric. To help speed up the drying process and prevent clumping, add a couple of tennis balls to the dryer.
Down Sleeping Bags
Down sleeping bags take significantly longer to dry than synthetic bags. It can take several hours for a down bag to dry thoroughly. As with synthetic bags, using a commercial dryer is ideal. If you use a home dryer, set it to low heat, as high heat can melt the nylon fabric. To help speed up the drying process and prevent clumping, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer.
Air Drying
If you don't have access to a dryer, you can air dry your sleeping bag. Lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You can also hang the bag up to dry, but be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric. Air drying can take a long time, so you may want to start by air drying for a while, then tumble drying, and then finish by air drying again. To ensure your bag is completely dry, lay it out or hang it up overnight.
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Store it correctly
Storing your sleeping bag correctly is critical to its lifespan. When you return home from a camping trip, unzip the bag and air it out to make sure it's completely dry. Then, loosely store it in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, which often comes with the purchase of a sleeping bag. You can also use a large pillowcase or sew your own cotton bag.
Do not store your bag compressed in its stuff sack as this will eventually damage the fill and cause the outer fabric to deteriorate and tear. Zips can also become bent and buckled. Watertight storage bags are also a bad idea—condensation can build up inside and result in mildew.
If you don't have much space, you can hang your bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you have access to a large commercial dryer, you can also use that, although this is not usually necessary unless you've washed your bag. If you do use a dryer, always use a low heat setting and check the bag frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting.
Avoid storing your bag in places where temperatures are likely to fluctuate or damp environments, such as attics, basements, garages, or sheds.
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Frequently asked questions
You should clean your sleeping bag at least once a year. If you use it more frequently, you may want to wash it more often.
Yes, you can use a washing machine to clean your sleeping bag. Use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. Avoid using a top-loading washer with an agitator column as it can damage your bag.
Avoid using harsh laundry detergents. Use mild soap or a specialty soap designed for cleaning sleeping bags.
You can use a dryer set at the lowest temperature. Put in some heavy cotton towels to absorb water and a couple of tennis balls to break up clumps.
Sleep in clean clothes when camping. You can also use a sleeping bag liner to keep your bag clean.
