Herbie Murray
Down sleeping bags can be revived in several ways. Firstly, it is important to keep the bag clean, dry, and protected. Secondly, when storing, it is best to keep the bag loosely packed in a large cotton or mesh sack, rather than in a stuff sack, as this can damage the fill over time. If the bag has already been stored in a stuff sack, it may be worth tumble drying it on a low setting for a few minutes to revive it. If the bag is dirty, it can be washed by hand or in a large front-loading washing machine with a down-specific cleaner. After washing, dry the bag thoroughly in a dryer with tennis balls to break up any clumps of down.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, or a large pillowcase. Do not store in a compression bag or stuff sack. |
| Washing | Wash by hand in a bathtub, or use a large front-loading washing machine. Use a down-specific cleaner such as Nikwax Down Wash or Revivex Down Cleaner. |
| Drying | Dry thoroughly in a dryer with no heat or a low setting. Add tennis balls or clean sneakers to break up clumps. |
| Repairs | Repair any tears in the cover before washing to prevent down leakage. |
| Professional cleaning | If the bag is heavily soiled, consider a professional specialist cleaning service. |
| Prevention | Keep the bag clean and dry, and avoid body oils, sweat and dirt. |
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What You'll Learn
Wash it with a down-specific cleaner
If your down sleeping bag has lost its insulating quality, washing it with a down-specific cleaner may help revive it. This is a good option if your bag has been stored in a stuff sack for a long time, as soft down clusters tend to revive well after compression. However, if the bag was stored damp or exposed to mould, the spines of any harder feather content may be permanently damaged.
Before washing your bag, check for any tears or holes and repair them to prevent down leakage. You can then wash your bag by hand in your bathtub or use a large front-loading washing machine, such as those found at laundromats. Avoid top-loading washing machines with agitators, as these can damage your sleeping bag. Be sure to use a special down wash, such as Nikwax Down Wash or Revivex Down Cleaner from Gear Aid.
After washing, dry your bag thoroughly in a dryer. Adding a few tennis balls or a pair of clean sneakers to the dryer can help break up any clumps of down and restore loft. Check the manufacturer's recommendations for drying instructions, as some bags may be damaged by high heat. Once dry, give the bag a good shake and lay it out to assess its loft. If it was rated to minus 20 when new, it should have at least six inches of loft.
If washing your bag with a down-specific cleaner does not revive it, you may need to send it to a specialist company or the manufacturer for further treatment. They can wash the bag, add new down, or replace it if necessary. Alternatively, if you are handy with sewing, you can replace the down yourself, but this can be expensive and time-consuming.
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Dry it thoroughly with tennis balls
If your down sleeping bag is looking a little flat and lumpy, it may have lost its loft. This can happen if you've left it compressed inside a stuff sack for too long. Luckily, it's fairly easy to re-fluff a down sleeping bag and restore its loft.
First, check for any tears or holes in the bag. If there are any, be sure to repair them before drying, to prevent feathers from escaping all over the dryer. Next, give the bag a good shake and lay it out. If it's a good quality down bag that was stored clean and dry, it may be enough to simply toss it into a tumble dryer for a few minutes to see if this helps it loft. If the bag is dirty, you may need to wash it first. You can do this by hand in a bathtub, or use a large front-loading washing machine (without an agitator in the centre). Be sure to use a special down wash, such as Nikwax Down Wash or Revivex Down Cleaner.
Once the bag is clean and almost dry, it's time to break out the tennis balls. Dry the bag thoroughly in a dryer, tossing in a few tennis balls to knock the down clumps around and break them up. You can also use dryer balls or clean sneakers for this purpose. This will help to restore the loft of the bag. Be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations for drying instructions, and consider using a low heat setting to avoid damaging the bag.
If your bag is very clumpy, you may need to manually un-clump the down by hand, or hang the bag up and beat it. If all else fails, you can send your bag to a special company or the manufacturer to have the fluff replaced or the bag repaired.
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Avoid storing it in a stuff sack
Storing your sleeping bag in a stuff sack is not recommended, as this can damage the fill over time. Even if your bag has been stored in its stuff sack for several months to a year, it should revive pretty well.
Firstly, check for any tears and holes. If you find any, repair them so that the down doesn't leak. Then, give the bag a good shake and lay it out to see if it re-fluffs. If it's still looking flat and lumpy, you can try washing it.
If you decide to wash your sleeping bag, it's important to use a special down wash, such as Nikwax Down Wash or Revivex Down Cleaner. You can either wash it by hand in your bathtub or use a large front-loading washing machine (without an agitator in the centre). If your bag is heavily soiled, you may want to consider taking it to a laundromat and washing it with a down-specific cleaner.
Once your bag is clean, dry it thoroughly in a dryer on a low setting. To break up any clumps of down, add two or three tennis balls or a pair of clean sneakers to the dryer as it spins.
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Repair tears and holes
Tears and holes in a down sleeping bag should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent down leakage. It is recommended to use the coolest setting when repairing tears and holes to avoid damaging the cover. If the tear or hole is in the cover, it is important to repair it before drying the bag to prevent feathers from escaping into the dryer.
If the down sleeping bag has been stored away for a long time, it is advisable to check for any tears or holes before attempting to revive it. This will help prevent further damage and ensure the bag can be used again.
For small tears and holes, a patch can be sewn on to the affected area. It is important to use a patch that is made of similar material to the sleeping bag, such as nylon or polyester, to ensure durability. The patch should be large enough to cover the tear or hole with an extra inch on each side to ensure a secure fit.
For larger tears and holes, it may be necessary to replace the affected panel of the sleeping bag. This will require more skill and time but will ensure the bag is fully functional again. It is important to use a strong needle and thread that can withstand the stress of sleeping in the bag.
It is also possible to send the down sleeping bag to a professional service for repair. These services specialize in repairing outdoor gear and can ensure a high-quality repair. However, this option may be more expensive than repairing the bag oneself.
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Spot clean with a non-detergent paste
If your down sleeping bag is dirty, it's a good idea to clean it to ensure it lasts longer and insulates more efficiently.
Before you start spot cleaning, make a paste with a non-detergent soap and water. You can use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell of your sleeping bag. Focus on the hood and collar, where hair and skin oils tend to accumulate. Hold the shell or liner fabric away from the insulation so that you can wash and rinse the area without getting the inside fill wet.
If your bag is losing loft and is darkened with grime, you should give it a full wash. First, check the manufacturer's washing instructions, which may be printed on a tag, draft tube, or elsewhere on the bag. If you can't find any instructions, you can hand wash your bag in a bathtub, use a large front-loading washing machine at a laundromat, or send it to a professional cleaning service.
To wash your bag, use a special down wash, such as Nikwax Down Wash or Revivex Down Cleaner from Gear Aid. Avoid using standard laundry detergent, as this can lead to clumping or reduced loft. Never dry clean your sleeping bag, as the solvents used can strip the natural oils from the down, reducing loft. Never use fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products.
If your bag is losing its fluffiness, you can try drying it in a dryer with no heat and a few dryer balls or clean sneakers to restore loft. If you use low heat, be sure to check the manufacturer's recommendations first, as some people have ended up with melted spots on their bags.
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Frequently asked questions
If your down sleeping bag is lumpy, flat, or voids are appearing, it may be time to revive it. If it has been stored in its stuff sack for a long time, it may have lost its loft.
First, check for any tears or holes in the bag and repair them. Then, wash the bag with a down-specific cleaner, either by hand or in a large front-loading washing machine. Dry the bag thoroughly in a tumble dryer, with no heat or a low setting, adding tennis balls or clean sneakers to break up clumps.
To prevent your down sleeping bag from losing its loft, always store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, or a pillowcase. Do not store it in its stuff sack or a watertight storage bag as this will damage the fill.
To care for your down sleeping bag, keep it clean and dry. Avoid getting into it with dirty clothes, oily hair, or sweaty or damp underwear. Change into clean, dry clothes before getting into your sleeping bag.
