Colin Snow
Sleeping bags are essential for camping, but they can be a pain to maintain. They can easily lose their insulating power due to body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime. To prevent sleeping bags from thinning out, it is important to keep them clean, dry, and protected. This includes airing them out, washing them periodically and storing them in a cool, dry place, preferably in a jumbo cotton storage bag that allows for breathability and prevents compression of the insulation. Additionally, using a bag liner and sleeping in clean clothes can help prevent dirt buildup. It is also crucial to avoid vacuum packing or storing sleeping bags in plastic boxes due to limited airflow, which can lead to moisture buildup and potential mould growth. Proper care and storage of sleeping bags will ensure they last longer and maintain their insulating efficiency.
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What You'll Learn
- Wash your sleeping bag periodically to prevent thinning from body oils, sweat, and dirt
- Avoid storing your sleeping bag in a damp, hot, or humid environment
- Do not vacuum pack your sleeping bag?
- Avoid storing your sleeping bag in a stuff sack for long periods
- Use a cotton storage sack to prevent thinning from mould and dust
Wash your sleeping bag periodically to prevent thinning from body oils, sweat, and dirt
Keeping your sleeping bag clean is essential to maintaining its insulating power. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate in the insulation over time, compromising its performance and leaving it smelling unpleasant. Therefore, it is recommended to wash your sleeping bag periodically to prevent thinning and ensure optimal performance.
Before washing your sleeping bag, check the manufacturer's instructions for specific care guidelines. Some bags may have special care requirements, such as the need for particular soaps or cleaning agents. It is important to avoid using too much soap, as it can be challenging to rinse out. Additionally, avoid fabric softeners, bleach, or alternative bleach products, as these can damage the material. If possible, avoid washing your sleeping bag in a top-loading machine with an agitator, as it may strain or rip the seams. Instead, opt for a front-loading machine or hand wash it gently.
When washing your sleeping bag, start by spot-treating areas that tend to get extra dirty, such as the hood and collar. Create a mild soap and water solution, and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean these areas. Rinse the fabric with a wet sponge, being careful not to get the inner fill wet. If the fill does become wet, ensure it is completely dry before storing your bag.
For a full wash, you can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub or use a commercial washer and dryer at a laundromat. If you opt for a bathtub, ensure it is clean before placing your sleeping bag inside. Turn the bag inside out and add warm water and the recommended amount of soap. Gently knead the bag to distribute the soap and water, being careful not to lift it, as the weight of the water can strain the stitching. Drain the tub and gently press out any remaining water from the bag. Refill the tub with clean water to rinse, then gently press out the water again.
It is crucial to dry your sleeping bag thoroughly before storing it. Synthetic sleeping bags tend to dry quicker than down bags, so choose a cool or low heat setting to avoid damaging the fabric. Avoid drying your sleeping bag in direct sunlight, as UV rays can weaken the fabric over time. Ensure your sleeping bag is entirely dry before placing it in its storage bag.
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Avoid storing your sleeping bag in a damp, hot, or humid environment
When storing your sleeping bag, it is important to avoid damp, hot, or humid environments. Moisture and temperature extremes can be very damaging to your sleeping bag. Therefore, it is best to avoid storing your sleeping bag in places such as damp basements, unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics, and car trunks.
Instead, opt for a cool and dry storage location, such as a roomy corner in your closet. The best storage sack is a jumbo cotton storage bag, which most bags are sold with. This type of bag keeps the sleeping bag contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing for air circulation. A cotton storage sack is perfect as it keeps your sleeping bag clean and provides extra protection.
If you need to dry your sleeping bag, always do so on a low heat setting and check it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. Avoid leaving your bag in direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV light can slowly degrade the fabric.
To prevent mould or mildew growth, ensure your bag is completely dry before storing it. Hang your bag over a line or on a large hanger in a covered outdoor space for 6 to 8 hours.
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Do not vacuum pack your sleeping bag
Vacuum packing your sleeping bag may seem like a good idea to save space, but it is not recommended to store your sleeping bag in a vacuum-sealed bag. This is because the sleeping bag's insulation needs to be able to fluff up (loft) to create small air pockets within the insulation. This is what keeps you warm.
If you leave your bag in a compressed state for several months, it will lose its resiliency and lofting ability. This is true for both down and synthetic bags, but synthetic bags tend to fare worse. Manufacturers warn against storing down items in a compressed state for long periods of time as it can damage them.
Instead of vacuum packing your sleeping bag, it is recommended to store it in a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. This will keep it contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing air circulation. If your bag did not come with a large storage bag, you can use a king-size pillowcase.
It is also important to keep your bag clean and dry. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can compromise the performance of the insulation over time. It is recommended to wash your bag periodically, especially if you are an avid backpacker. Always dry your sleeping bag on a low heat setting and check it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting.
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Avoid storing your sleeping bag in a stuff sack for long periods
When storing your sleeping bag, it is best to avoid keeping it in a stuff sack for long periods. This is because the compression can cause the bag to lose its lofting ability, which is what keeps you warm. The bag's insulation needs to be able to fluff up to create small air pockets within, and compression inhibits this. Additionally, the constant pressure on the bag can cause the zipper to become kinked or bent, and the bag is at greater risk of mould or mildew growth.
Sleeping bags should be stored in a cool, dry place, and a jumbo cotton storage bag is ideal as it allows for air circulation without compressing the fill. Mesh sacks are not recommended as they do not protect against dust, insects or wear and tear. A cotton sack will also keep your bag clean and provide extra protection.
It is important to ensure your bag is thoroughly dry before storing it away. If your bag is damp, hang it up for 6 to 8 hours in a covered outdoor space, avoiding direct sunlight as this can weaken the fabric. If you are an avid backpacker, it is recommended to wash your bag once a season.
To keep your sleeping bag in good condition, it is also advisable to periodically check the seams, zippers and drawcords. Over time, the insulation can settle unevenly, so it is worth checking that it is evenly distributed.
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Use a cotton storage sack to prevent thinning from mould and dust
Sleeping bags should not be stored in their stuff sack for long periods of time. This is because they need to be able to breathe, and stuffing them into a small space can cause damage to the insulation and the zipper. Leaving a sleeping bag in a compressed state for several months will cause it to lose its lofting ability, and it will be unable to fluff up and create small air pockets to keep you warm.
Cotton storage sacks are ideal for storing sleeping bags because they are breathable and help to prevent moisture build-up, which can cause mould to grow. Cotton storage sacks also keep sleeping bags clean and protected from dust, insects, and accidental wear and tear. They are roomy enough to contain a sleeping bag without compressing the fill, and they allow for air circulation.
Sleeping bags should be stored in a cool, dry place, such as a closet. They should be thoroughly dried on a low heat setting before being placed in their storage bag to avoid damage from heat or twisting. Even if you don't have a mould or mildew problem, it's a good idea to wash your sleeping bag periodically because body oils, sweat, and dirt in the insulation can compromise performance.
It is recommended that sleeping bags be taken out of storage and fluffed up and aired out every month or so to ensure that they remain in good condition and that no specific area has been folded in one place for too long. This will also help to remind your sleeping bag of its importance and value to you!
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Frequently asked questions
To prevent thinning out, it's important to maintain your sleeping bag's loft, or its ability to fluff up and create small air pockets within the insulation. Here are some ways to do that:
- Wash your bag periodically to prevent a buildup of body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime, which can compromise performance.
- Use a specialised soap or detergent designed for down or synthetic sleeping bags. Avoid standard laundry detergents, which can leave residue and prevent fibres from lofting.
- Avoid vacuum packing or storing your sleeping bag in a stuff sack for long periods, as this can break down clusters and reduce their ability to loft.
- Store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry, and breathable cotton or mesh sack to prevent moisture buildup, which can contribute to mould growth.
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag every few years. If you're an avid backpacker or camper, consider washing your bag once a season.
Here are some general steps to wash your sleeping bag:
- Consult your bag maker's instructions.
- Use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat, or a front-loading washer at home. Avoid top-loading washers, as your bag could get damaged by becoming entangled.
- Wash in warm water on a gentle cycle, with a temperature setting of no higher than 40°C / 100°F.
- Rinse at least twice to thoroughly remove any cleaning agent.
- Support the entire bag when removing it from the washer to avoid straining and ripping the seams.
- Gently squeeze out excess water, then proceed to the drying step.
