Miya Pearson
Sleeping bags can be washed in a washing machine, but it's important to take certain precautions to avoid damaging the bag or reducing its effectiveness. Firstly, it is recommended to use a front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and a small amount of appropriate soap, such as a technical cleaner or a down soap. Avoid using standard laundry detergent as it can leave residue and affect the bag's performance. If using a top-loading machine, choose one without an agitator to prevent straining or ripping the seams. It's also important to unzip the bag completely before washing to prevent snagging or breaking the slider. After washing, rinse the bag at least twice to remove any soap residue and dry it on low heat to avoid melting the fabric.
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What You'll Learn
Use a front-loading machine or a top-loader without an agitator
To wash a sleeping bag in a front-loading washing machine, start by loading the bag into the drum, ensuring it has enough room to tumble and clean thoroughly. It is important to remember that bulk is more important than weight when filling a front-loading machine. Add a small amount of detergent formulated for high-efficiency machines, as too many suds can ruin the machine. Select the gentle cycle with warm or cold water and make sure to rinse at least twice to ensure all soap residue is gone.
If you are using a top-loading machine without an agitator, the process is slightly different. Start by adding water and detergent to the machine, distributing the soap throughout the water. Then, add your sleeping bag and any other items, distributing them evenly and loosely around the sides of the agitator plate. Avoid overloading the machine, as this can prevent clothes from getting clean and cause damage to the machine. Select a cycle with warm or cold water and the lowest heat setting, as too much heat can damage the fabric of your sleeping bag.
After washing your sleeping bag, you can choose to air-dry it or use a dryer. If you choose to air-dry, lay the bag flat on a clean surface outside and manually break up any clumps of insulation as it dries. If you use a dryer, be sure to check on it often, as too much heat can melt the fabric or synthetic fill. Once your bag is almost dry, add a few tennis balls or a pair of clean sneakers to help break up any clumps of down. Make sure your bag is completely dry before placing it in its storage bag.
Some additional tips for washing sleeping bags include using laundry soap specifically made for sleeping bags, adding baking soda to help break down dirt, and soaking your bag in the tub before washing. It is also important to regularly clean your washing machine to prevent odors from transferring to your laundry.
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Wash on a gentle cycle with warm or cold water
When washing a sleeping bag, it's important to use the right type of detergent for the bag's fill type. For example, for down filling, use a specialty detergent like Nikwax Down Wash, which is formulated to protect the naturally occurring oils that give feathers their water-repellent qualities. For synthetic bags, use a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash.
Before washing a sleeping bag, unzip it and lay it out to check for stains or damage. If there are stains, use an appropriate stain treatment product and a laundry brush to work the solution into the fabric. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before washing the sleeping bag to allow the product to penetrate and break down the stain. If there are rips, tears, or other damage, make any necessary repairs before washing the sleeping bag.
When you're ready to wash your sleeping bag, zip up all zippers and select a gentle cycle with warm or cold water. Use a small amount of the appropriate detergent and avoid using too much, as this can lead to the development of malodour, mould, and mildew. If your machine has a delicate cycle suitable for washing woollen garments, this is ideal for down sleeping bags. If not, it's better to hand wash the bag.
Synthetic sleeping bags can be washed on a normal gentle cycle without issues. However, it's important to remove any straps from the underside of the bag before washing, as they can snag and damage the strap attachment points. It's also a good idea to add a few damp articles of clothing, such as a towel or T-shirts, to help balance the spin of the machine.
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Use a specialised cleaner, not detergent
When cleaning a sleeping bag, it is important to use a specialised cleaner instead of standard laundry detergent. Detergent can lead to clumping or reduced loft, or it can leave a film that acts as a hydrophobic agent. These issues can impact the insulating power of your sleeping bag.
Specialised cleaners, on the other hand, are formulated to effectively clean sleeping bags without causing damage. For example, for down bags, a product like Nikwax Down Wash Direct is recommended as it is specifically designed for down items. Similarly, for synthetic bags, a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash is ideal. These specialised cleaners will help maintain the insulating power of your sleeping bag by preventing the build-up of body oils, sweat, and dirt.
If you are using a washing machine, it is important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning your sleeping bag. This may include using a specialised cleaner instead of detergent to protect the bag's material and filling. Check the care instructions on the label or the manufacturer's website for specific cleaning instructions.
In addition to using a specialised cleaner, there are other considerations to keep in mind when cleaning a sleeping bag. Firstly, always unzip the bag completely before washing to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking. Secondly, wash the bag in warm or cold water on a gentle cycle to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Finally, remember to rinse the bag at least twice to thoroughly remove the cleaning agent.
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Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue
Rinsing your sleeping bag thoroughly is essential to ensure that all soap residue is removed. Soap residue can impact the performance of your sleeping bag, so it is important to be diligent in this step.
If you are handwashing your sleeping bag, you will need to drain the bathtub and refill it with clean water. Then, knead the bag to force the clean water through it. Continue doing this until there are no more suds. If you are using a washing machine, you can simply run a second rinse cycle without soap. In fact, it is recommended to rinse your sleeping bag at least twice, or even run it through a complete second wash-and-rinse cycle without soap, to ensure that all soap residue is removed.
If you are handwashing, after rinsing, carefully roll up the sleeping bag to squeeze out the excess water. If you are using a washing machine, it is important to support the entire bag when removing it from the washer, to avoid straining and ripping the seams. Then, gently squeeze out the excess water.
In either case, it is important to ensure that your sleeping bag is rinsed thoroughly and that all soap residue is removed. This will help to maintain the performance and longevity of your sleeping bag.
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Dry on low heat, or air dry
After washing your sleeping bag, you can either dry it on low heat or air dry it.
If you choose to dry your sleeping bag on low heat, it is recommended to use a dryer with a large capacity, such as a commercial dryer at a laundromat. This is because a small dryer may not give the bag enough room to tumble and clean thoroughly. Set the dryer to low heat and dry the bag for at least an hour. It is important to note that machine heat varies, so check the bag frequently to ensure that the fabric or synthetic fill is not melting. You can also add two to three clean tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks to the dryer to help break up any clumps of insulation and restore the loft.
If you choose to air dry your sleeping bag, lay it flat on a clean surface outside in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as your bag dries. You can also hang the bag up, but be sure to support it from beneath when moving it. It is important to ensure that your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it.
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Frequently asked questions
Most sleeping bags can be machine washed, but it is recommended to use a front-loading washer or a top-loading machine without an agitator. Use a gentle cycle with warm or cold water and a small amount of appropriate soap. Rinse at least twice to ensure all soap residue is gone.
Never use standard laundry detergent. For synthetic bags, use a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash. For down bags, use a mild soap like Grangers Down Wash or a gear wash specifically formulated for down, like Nikwax Down Wash Direct.
Before washing, spot clean dirty areas, especially the bag's head and foot areas, with a toothbrush and soap. Zip up all zippers and turn the bag inside out. If possible, add other damp articles like towels to balance the spin of the machine. When drying, use a low heat setting and add tennis balls to the dryer drum to help separate the fill.
