Evie Summers
Sleeping bags, especially down sleeping bags, need to be kept clean and dry to ensure they last longer and insulate efficiently. A dirty sleeping bag is less warm and comfortable. While it is not necessary to wash your bag after every trip, it is a good idea to launder it at least once a year. To dry a down sleeping bag, you can use a dryer on low heat, air dry it, or use a combination of both. If using a dryer, it is recommended to add tennis balls or dryer balls to prevent the down from clumping.
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What You'll Learn
Hand washing a sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is dirty, darkened with grime, or losing its fluffiness, it's time to give it a good wash. Sleeping bags can be washed by hand or machine, but hand washing is recommended for down bags to prevent down shifting or forming clumps. Here are some detailed instructions for hand washing a sleeping bag:
Step 1: Prepare the Sleeping Bag
Completely unzip the bag to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking. If your sleeping bag has straps on the underside, remove them before washing to prevent snagging and damage to the attachment points.
Step 2: Fill the Bathtub
Fill your bathtub with cool to warm water. Avoid very hot water, as it can be harsh on the fabric and seams of your sleeping bag. Add a cleaner specifically formulated for down bags, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech-Wash for synthetic bags. Avoid using standard laundry detergent, as it can lead to clumping, reduced loft, or leave a film that affects the bag's performance.
Step 3: Wash the Sleeping Bag
Gently place the sleeping bag in the bathtub and avoid picking it up when it's full of water, especially if it's a down bag, as the weight of the water can strain and tear the seams. Handle the wet bag with care and support it from all sides when moving it. Gently squeeze out the excess water, and if necessary, repeat the process with clean water to ensure that all the detergent is rinsed out.
Step 4: Dry the Sleeping Bag
After rinsing, gently squeeze out as much water as possible without twisting or wringing the bag. The sleeping bag should feel damp but not drenched. To speed up the drying process, roll up the bag in a few towels and press firmly on the roll to soak up excess water. You can then air-dry the sleeping bag or use a dryer. If using a dryer, set it to low heat and add a couple of clean tennis balls to help agitate the fill and speed up drying. For synthetic bags, tumble drying on a low setting is generally safe, but down bags are more delicate and prone to melting, so air drying is recommended.
Remember to always consult your bag maker's instructions, and be patient when hand washing and drying your sleeping bag. With proper care, your sleeping bag will last longer and provide efficient insulation during your outdoor adventures.
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Using a washing machine
To dry a sleeping bag using a washing machine, first ensure that the bag is clean and free of dirt, grime, and grease. Body oils, sweat, dirt, and greasy residues can accumulate on the bag over time, compromising its loft and warmth. It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, and always before storing it for an extended period.
When using a washing machine, it is important to use a front-loading machine or a top-loading machine without an agitator. The agitator in a top-loading machine can be too rough on the ultralight fabrics and baffle seams of a sleeping bag, leading to damage. If you are using a front-loading machine, ensure that the detergent drawer is clean and free of any leftover residue from previous washes, as this can end up in your load.
Select a delicate or gentle wash cycle with a temperature setting of no higher than 40°C (100°F). Use a down-specific detergent, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, and avoid using standard laundry detergents or "active wash" products, as these can contain harsh chemicals that may damage the bag. Rinse the bag at least twice to thoroughly remove the cleaning agent, and spin the bag in the machine to remove as much water as possible before drying.
After washing, carefully remove the sleeping bag from the washing machine and transfer it to the dryer. Set the dryer to low heat or "delicates" and run a complete cycle. If using a tumble dryer, it is recommended to place the sleeping bag inside a large laundry sack or cotton bag to protect it during the drying process. For down sleeping bags, add two to three clean tennis balls or sneakers to the dryer to help break up clumps of down and restore loft.
Drying a sleeping bag can take several hours, and it is important to ensure that the bag is completely dry before storing it. Repeat the drying cycle if necessary, and consider hanging the bag up overnight to ensure it is fully dry.
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Using a tumble dryer
If you have access to a tumble dryer, this can be a much more efficient way to dry your sleeping bag than air drying. However, you should be aware that a tumble dryer can damage your sleeping bag if used incorrectly.
Firstly, make sure your sleeping bag is suitable for tumble drying. Some sleeping bags are not designed to be tumble dried, so check the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding. If you have a down sleeping bag, be aware that the feathers can clump together in the tumble dryer, which will affect the performance of your bag.
If you are drying a down sleeping bag, put two or three clean tennis balls into the drum with the sleeping bag. The tennis balls will help to break up clumps of down and feathers. You can also buy specialist dryer balls, which are said to work better than tennis balls. Start two to three delicate drying cycles, and shake the sleeping bag between each cycle to break up any clumps.
If your sleeping bag is synthetic, tumble drying on a low heat for at least an hour should be sufficient. If your dryer is very small, you may need to take your sleeping bag to a laundromat, as a larger dryer will allow the sleeping bag to tumble properly.
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Air drying
Firstly, ensure your sleeping bag is in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. UV light can slowly degrade the fabric of your sleeping bag, so keeping it out of direct sunlight will help prolong its lifespan. If possible, hang the sleeping bag and let it air dry for 12 hours. If you are air drying your sleeping bag after a camping trip, it may be necessary to air it out for several hours to ensure it is completely dry.
If you are air drying your sleeping bag after washing, it is recommended to use dryer balls or clean tennis balls to help agitate the fill back to its original loft. You can also manually break up any clumps with your hands, being careful not to rip the plumes. This process can be done repeatedly for a couple of days while the bag is air-drying.
If you are camping, airing out your sleeping bag daily is a good practice. Turn it inside out to dry out any moisture and let it air out during the day, or for as long as possible between the time you wake up and break camp. While winter air is dry and effective at sucking moisture out of your bag, it is important to note that any additional moisture from items like socks and gloves will still make a difference in the overall dryness of your bag.
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Drying with tennis balls
Drying a sleeping bag with tennis balls is a common practice, but there are a few things to keep in mind to do it effectively and safely. Firstly, it is recommended to use tennis balls only when the sleeping bag is almost dry, about 90% dryness. This is because a wet sleeping bag can be fragile, and there is a concern that the tennis balls might tear the outer fabric.
When using a dryer, set it to low heat as high heat can melt the fabric, especially nylon fabrics. It is better to dry on low heat for a longer time than to use high heat to speed up the process. For a down sleeping bag, add two to three tennis balls to help separate the fill and restore its original loft. The tennis balls help break up clumps of down, speeding up the drying process.
If you don't have tennis balls, you can use a few pairs of clean socks or a big sock ball, which is more delicate on the bag. Some people also use dryer balls, which are similar in size and weight to tennis balls but have spikes that help break up the down clumps.
It is important to note that using tennis balls or similar items is not necessary for everyone. Some people have achieved good results without using any balls, and there is a risk of damage to the fabric, especially if the dryer has any burrs or sharp edges.
Additionally, if you choose not to use a dryer, you can air-dry your sleeping bag. Lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up, being careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the fabric.
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Frequently asked questions
If your sleeping bag gets soaked, it's best to air it out for several hours. If it's not completely dry, you can put it in a dryer on low heat for a couple of hours. If you're using a tumble dryer, add a couple of tennis balls to the drum to prevent the down from clumping.
If you've washed your sleeping bag, you can dry it in a dryer on low heat. If you don't have a dryer, you can air dry your sleeping bag, but this will take several hours. If you're air-drying, make sure to turn the bag inside out and massage the filling between your hands to break up any clumps.
It's a good idea to air out your sleeping bag after a camping trip, even if it's not wet. This will prevent moisture accumulation, which can make your bag less efficient. If you're camping in cold weather, the winter air will quickly suck moisture out of your bag.
