Herbie Murray
A wet sleeping bag is not only uncomfortable but can also be a health hazard. It is important to keep your sleeping bag dry, especially when camping, to avoid the growth of mildew, which can be difficult to remove. To keep your sleeping bag dry, it is recommended to use a waterproof stuff sack, especially when backpacking in rainy weather. Additionally, you can line your backpack with a plastic garbage bag before placing your sleeping bag inside. It is also essential to air out your sleeping bag whenever possible and ensure it is completely dry before storing it. While washing your sleeping bag, it is best to use a front-loading washing machine without an agitator or opt for hand washing. Avoid dry cleaning as it can strip the natural oils from the fabric. When drying, use a tumble dryer on low heat or air dry in the sun, ensuring the bag is thoroughly dried to prevent mildew growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry place, uncompressed, in its storage cube, a large box, or a pillowcase |
| Washing | Wash in a front-loading machine or by hand with a specialist down cleaning product or gentle, non-detergent soap |
| Drying | Dry in a tumble dryer on low heat with tennis balls or outside on a clean surface in the sun or partial shade |
| Waterproofing | Use a waterproof stuff sack or line a regular stuff sack with a plastic bag |
| Reproofing | Reapply a durable water repellent finish |
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What You'll Learn
Use a waterproof stuff sack
Waterproof stuff sacks are a great way to keep your sleeping bag dry when backpacking, especially if you carry your bag on the outside of your pack. Waterproof stuff sacks are also useful if rain is a possibility during your trip. If you don't have a waterproof stuff sack, you can line a regular stuff sack (or your entire backpack) with a plastic garbage bag before placing your sleeping bag inside.
It's important to keep your sleeping bag dry because a wet bag won't keep you warm. Synthetic bags can insulate even when damp, but down bags will not. You should also consider how you store your bag as this can affect its lifespan. When you arrive home from a camping trip, unzip the bag and air it out to make sure it's completely dry. Then, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a large pillowcase, or a cotton bag you've sewn yourself. You can also purchase a storage sack separately. Do not store your bag compressed in its stuff sack as this will eventually damage the fill. Watertight storage bags are also not recommended.
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Reapply a durable water repellent finish
The original DWR (durable water repellent) finish on a sleeping bag's shell wears off over time, depending on usage. You can restore water repellency and keep the bag cleaner by reapplying this finish.
There are several products available to restore the DWR to your sleeping bag shell fabric. You can use a product like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On, or a similar product like GearAid or Granger's. You can also use a waterproofing spray, which claims to be usable on nylon, suede, leather, and Gore-Tex.
However, it's important to note that waterproofing your sleeping bag may not be the best idea, as it can reduce the breathability of the bag, trapping your sweat inside. Instead, you can try placing your sleeping bag inside a waterproof stuff sack, or lining a regular stuff sack with a plastic garbage bag before placing the sleeping bag inside.
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Dry your bag thoroughly
Drying your sleeping bag thoroughly is essential to prevent mildew from forming inside the filling, which is challenging to remove and can impact the bag's performance. The best way to dry your bag depends on its filling, with synthetic bags drying much faster than down bags.
Synthetic sleeping bags typically take at least an hour to dry, whereas down bags can take several hours. Down bags should be dried on low heat, as high heat can melt the delicate nylon fabrics. It is better to dry the bag on low heat for a more extended period than to use high heat to speed up the process.
If you are using a dryer, it is recommended to dry your sleeping bag on low heat for at least an hour with two to three tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks to re-fluff the down. The tennis balls help to agitate the fill back to its original loft and prevent clumping. If you are using a home dryer, be aware that the barrel may be too small for the fully lofted bag, and the thin nylon could come into contact with the hot dryer barrel and melt.
If you do not have access to a dryer, you can air dry your sleeping bag. First, lay it flat on a clean surface, such as grass or a beach towel, in the sun or partial shade. You may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as the bag dries. Air-drying can take a couple of days, and you should be careful when moving the wet bag, supporting it from beneath to prevent the weight of the wet down from ripping the internal baffles.
If you are drying a down bag, you can speed up the process by first air-drying it and then tumble-drying it when it is lighter. Repeat this process as necessary until the bag is thoroughly dry. The static electricity from the dryer will help loft and spread the down.
Regardless of the drying method you choose, it is important to ensure that your sleeping bag is entirely dry before storing it.
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Store in a cool, dry place
When storing your sleeping bag, it is important to keep it in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent the growth of mildew, which can be difficult to remove and will leave an unpleasant smell. It is also important to ensure that your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it.
To achieve this, you can air your sleeping bag out for several days until it is fairly dry, and then store it in a cool, dry place. You can also use a dryer to speed up the process, but be sure to use low heat and tumble dry to avoid damaging the bag. If you do use a dryer, let the bag air dry for a while afterward to ensure it is completely dry before storing it.
When storing your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, it is recommended to store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a large box, or a pillowcase. Do not store your sleeping bag compressed in its stuff sack as this will damage the filling over time. It is also a good idea to avoid storing it in a watertight bag, as this will prevent the bag from breathing and could lead to the growth of mildew.
In addition to keeping your sleeping bag dry, it is important to keep it clean. Body oils and other residues can build up on the fabric and fibres if the bag is stored away without being properly cleaned first. It is recommended to launder your sleeping bag at least once a year, or more frequently if you use it often. You can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub or use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat. If you choose to wash your bag yourself, be sure to use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down or synthetic-filled items.
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Wash your bag occasionally
It is recommended that you wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, or more if you use it frequently. Washing your bag will help to remove body oils and other residues from the fabric and fibres. You should wash your bag before storing it for an extended period, and always ensure it is completely dry before storing.
When washing your sleeping bag, it is important to use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down or synthetic-filled items. You should avoid using fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products, and never use a top-loading machine with an agitator as this can strain or rip the seams. Instead, opt for a front-loading machine or hand wash your bag in a bathtub. If using a machine, wash on a gentle cycle with warm or cold water, and be sure to rinse at least twice to remove all soap residue.
If you choose to tumble dry your sleeping bag, ensure that it is on a low heat setting and include a couple of tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks to help restore the loft to the filling. You can also air dry your sleeping bag, but be aware that this can take a couple of days. If air drying, it is recommended to lay the bag flat on a clean surface and manually break up any clumps of insulation as it dries.
Over time, the durable water repellent (DWR) finish on your sleeping bag's shell will wear off. You can restore water repellency by reapplying this finish using one of the many products available.
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Frequently asked questions
Air your sleeping bag out during the day, especially if it has gotten damp. If it's not below freezing, you can also hang your socks and gloves inside your sleeping bag to dry them out overnight.
If your sleeping bag gets soaked, you can dry it in a dryer on a low heat setting. If you don't have access to a dryer, lay it flat on a clean surface outside and let it air dry.
You can wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub or a front-loading washing machine. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down or synthetic materials. After washing, dry your sleeping bag on low heat in a dryer or let it air dry.
When you arrive home from a camping trip, unzip the bag and air it out to make sure it's completely dry. Then, store it loosely in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. You can use a cotton or mesh storage sack, a large box, or a pillowcase.
