Evie Summers
Sleeping bags are a significant investment, so it's important to keep them in good condition. One of the most common issues is a loss of fluffiness (loft), which can be caused by body oils, dirt, and sweat. This can be prevented by wearing clean clothes to bed and by washing and drying your bag at least once a year. If you do need to wash your bag, it's important to use the right technique and products to avoid damaging the fill. You can hand wash your bag in a bathtub or use a commercial washer and dryer at a laundromat. To restore loft, some people recommend adding more down to your sleeping bag by cutting small slits and pushing down through with a pencil eraser, then sealing the holes with tape or glue.
How to rejuvenate a sleeping bag fill
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Minimum once a year, before storing for an extended period of time |
| Washing method | Hand wash in a bathtub, use a commercial-size washer, or send to a professional service |
| Drying method | Use a commercial-size dryer, air dry, or use a home dryer on low heat |
| Additional items | Tennis balls or sneakers to break up clumps |
| Cleaning products | Nikwax Down Wash, Tech Wash, or mild soap |
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh bag, hang it up, or lay it flat |
| Restoration | Beat and shake the bag, or cut small slits and add more fill |
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What You'll Learn
Wash your sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is darkened with grime or losing its fluffiness, it's time to give it a good wash. The buildup of body oils and dirt over time will migrate into the fill and start to affect your bag's warmth.
You can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, which can be very labor-intensive, or send it to a professional cleaning service. If you want to wash your bag yourself, fill your bathtub with cool or warm water and add a suitable cleaning product for your bag type. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out. Lay the bag in the water and gently work the soap throughout the entire bag, rubbing together the most heavily soiled areas. Allow it to soak for up to one hour, then drain the tub and press out any remaining water. Next, refill the tub with cool or warm water to rinse, then gently work the soap out. Let the bag sit for 15 minutes, drain the water, and gently squeeze out as much water as you can.
You can also wash your sleeping bag in a machine, as long as you use a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items. Avoid fabric softener, bleach, or alternative-bleach products. When drying your bag, use a commercial-size dryer if possible, as these have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. If you don't have access to a commercial dryer, you can use a home dryer, but set it to low heat to avoid melting delicate nylon fabrics. It's better to dry on low heat for a longer time than to use high heat to speed up the drying process. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to help agitate the fill back to its original loft.
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Dry your sleeping bag
Drying your sleeping bag is a crucial step in the rejuvenation process, as any remaining moisture will degrade the fill over time. Here are some detailed instructions on how to dry your sleeping bag effectively:
Drying Techniques
- If possible, use a commercial dryer at a laundromat. These dryers have larger capacities, allowing your sleeping bag to tumble freely and dry more evenly. Set the dryer to low heat to avoid damaging the delicate nylon fabric of your sleeping bag.
- If you don't have access to a commercial dryer, you can use a home dryer. Again, set the dryer to low heat and be sure to clean the lint trap before use.
- For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks to the dryer. The tumbling action of the tennis balls will help break up clumps of down and restore the loft, speeding up the drying process.
- Synthetic sleeping bags will dry faster than down bags and typically take at least an hour to dry. Down sleeping bags can take several hours to dry thoroughly.
- If you prefer 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. Avoid hanging the bag, as this can put too much stress on the nylon fabric.
Post-Drying Care
- To ensure your bag is completely dry, lay it out or hang it up overnight.
- If your sleeping bag has developed an odour or mildew, you may need to rewash it and ensure it is thoroughly dried.
- Before storing your sleeping bag, make sure it is completely dry. Do not store it compressed in its stuff sack, as this will damage the fill over time. Instead, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack.
- It is recommended to wash and dry your sleeping bag at least once a year, ideally before storing it for an extended period.
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Restore loft to your sleeping bag
To restore loft to your sleeping bag, you'll need to clean it thoroughly and dry it properly. This will help to remove any dirt, oil, or grime that has built up and is compromising your bag's loft and warmth.
Firstly, check what type of sleeping bag you have, as this will determine the best approach for restoring loft. Down sleeping bags are the easiest to re-loft, while loft degrades more quickly in synthetic bags.
If your bag is darkened with grime or has lost its fluffiness, it's time to give it a good wash. You can hand wash it in a bathtub with cool or warm water and a mild soap or detergent suitable for the bag's material. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out. Gently work the soap into the bag, paying extra attention to heavily soiled areas. Allow it to soak for up to an hour, then drain the tub and gently press out any remaining water. Repeat the rinsing process until all the soap is removed, and gently squeeze out as much water as possible.
Alternatively, you can use a commercial-size, front-loading washing machine, such as those found at laundromats. Choose a gentle cycle and a cold or cool setting to avoid putting too much wear on the fabric. If using a machine with this option, add an extra rinse and an extra spin.
Once your bag is clean, it's time to dry it. If possible, use a commercial dryer, as these have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. Set the dryer to low heat, as high heat can damage the delicate fabric of your sleeping bag. If using a home dryer, ensure it's set to low heat and dry your bag for a longer period to avoid melting the fabric.
To help restore loft and break up any clumps in the filling, you can add two to three tennis balls or dryer balls into the dryer with your bag. Some people also suggest using clean sneakers or poker chips for this purpose. If you don't have access to a dryer, you can air-dry your bag. Spread it out on a drying rack or laundry line and use a tennis racket or something similar to fluff it up.
Remember to clean and dry your sleeping bag regularly, especially before storing it for an extended period. Body oils and other residues will remain on the fabric if the bag is packed away without a good wash first. Additionally, always store your bag loose and uncompressed to maintain its loft.
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Add down to your sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is losing its fluffiness (loft), it may be time to rejuvenate the fill. Body oils, dirt, and grime can migrate into the fill over time, compromising the bag's loft and warmth. While you can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, this can be very labor-intensive. Instead, consider using a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat, especially if your home dryer is too small. Remember to use mild soap and avoid high heat, as this can damage the bag's delicate fabric.
If you're looking to add down to your sleeping bag, there are a few methods you can try. One option is to send your bag to a company like Rainy Pass Repair or a specialty gear repair shop. They can add overfill to your bag, although some people argue that this adds unnecessary weight. Alternatively, you can add down to your bag yourself. Here are the steps:
- Find the seam where the tubes have been sewn closed. You will need to unpick the stitching adjacent to the tube you want to fill.
- Weigh the down in a plastic container and squish it into a ball or bunch.
- Make an opening large enough to fit your closed fist filled with down.
- Stuff the down into the hole using your fingers.
- Pinch the fabric closed and sew it shut. You can use Gear Aid Tenacious Tape or Seam Grip to cover the holes.
When adding down, you have several options, including duck down, goose down, or synthetic fill. You can purchase down by the ounce from various vendors, and it typically costs around $10 per ounce. It's important to add enough down to each baffle to ensure even warmth. Some people recommend adding 30% more down than needed, while others suggest filling the baffles until they appear full.
Keep in mind that adding down to your sleeping bag may not always be the best solution. Overstuffing the baffles can increase weight without a significant gain in warmth. Before adding down, consider washing and drying your bag properly to try to resuscitate the loft. Additionally, avoid storing your bag compressed, as this can negatively impact the loft.
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Store your sleeping bag
Storing your sleeping bag correctly is essential to maintaining its loft and ensuring it stays in good condition. Here are some tips to help you store your sleeping bag properly:
- Never store your sleeping bag compressed. Compressing your sleeping bag will damage the fill and decrease its loft over time. Instead, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack. You can use the large cotton or mesh bag that often comes with the sleeping bag, or you can purchase one separately. Alternatively, you can use a large pillowcase or sew your own cotton bag.
- Choose a dry storage location. Moisture reduces loft in down bags, so it is important to keep your sleeping bag dry while in storage. Store your bag in a dry closet or another dry area. Avoid storing it in a musty basement or attic.
- Hang your sleeping bag. If possible, hang your sleeping bag on a hook in the chosen dry storage area. Hanging the bag will help it maintain its loft.
- Ensure your sleeping bag is clean before storing. Body oils, dirt, and grime can compromise the loft and warmth of your sleeping bag. Wash your bag at least once a year, or more frequently if used often, to remove any build-up. Make sure the bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in storage.
- Inspect your sleeping bag regularly. Periodically check the condition of your sleeping bag while it is in storage. Feel the insulation to ensure it is evenly distributed, as down can settle unevenly over time. Also, check the seams, zippers, and drawcords for any signs of damage.
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Frequently asked questions
If your sleeping bag is darkened with grime or has lost its fluffiness (loft), it's time to give it a good wash. The buildup of body oils and dirt over time will migrate into the fill and begin to compromise your bag's loft and warmth.
You can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub with cool or warm water and mild soap. You can also use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat, but make sure to use a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Do not dry clean your sleeping bag, as the solvents used can strip the natural oils from the down fill.
You can try manually plumping up the material by hand, beating it with a tennis racket, or pulling about the fibres to create pockets and space. If you are washing and drying your sleeping bag, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer to help agitate the fill back to its original loft.
