Evie Summers
Double sleeping bags are a great option for couples who want to snuggle up while camping. However, they require proper care and storage to maintain their quality and functionality. Incorrectly stored sleeping bags can easily become soiled or damaged, leading to uncomfortable and cold nights. Here's an introduction to the dos and don'ts of storing your double sleeping bag to ensure it stays in top condition for your camping adventures.
How to store a double sleeping bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | A cool, dry place, such as a cupboard or closet |
| Container | A large cotton or mesh bag that doesn't compress the bag |
| Preparation | Ensure the bag is clean and dry before storage |
| Hanging | Hang the bag using a hook or clothes hanger in a tall cupboard where it can hang freely without touching the ground |
| Loft | Allow the bag to fully loft (fluff up) to keep a protective layer of air around the insulation |
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What You'll Learn
Keep it uncompressed
Keeping your double sleeping bag uncompressed is essential to prolonging its life and ensuring that you get a good night's sleep. When you compress your sleeping bag, you compress the insulator, making it less effective. While both down and synthetic bag insulations can fluff up after being compressed, there is a limit to their resilience.
To keep the loft, and thus the warmth of the air-trapping fibres, a sleeping bag should be stored at home outside of its compression stuff sack. Whenever your bag doesn’t have to be in it, let it breathe and unfurl. When on a trip, soon after arriving at a campsite, unstuff the bag and let its fibres loft inside the tent, ready for bedtime.
The best way to store your sleeping bag is in a large bag that contains it but doesn’t compress it, or hang your bag by the loop. Storing your bag uncompressed will help it keep its loft. For best results, hang your sleeping bag from a hook in a cool and dry room or cupboard. This will help prevent unpleasant odours, but also help to maintain the loft of the down or synthetic fill, which will keep you warm and cosy at night.
To get the most out of your sleeping bag, it’s important to avoid crushing the delicate insulating fibres while the bag is in storage. This applies not only to down insulation, where feathers can easily be broken or damaged by excessive periods of compression, but also to synthetic fibres, which can easily break or flatten, making them useless for warmth. Allowing your sleeping bag to fully loft while it’s being stored for lengthy periods keeps a protective layer of air around the delicate insulation materials.
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Dry it thoroughly
After cleaning your double sleeping bag, it is important to dry it thoroughly before storing it. This is because any moisture left in the fabric can lead to mould forming, which can damage the bag and be detrimental to your health.
To dry your sleeping bag, first, unzip it completely. If you have access to a tumble dryer, you can put your sleeping bag in on a low heat setting, checking it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. You can also add tennis balls to the dryer to help break up clumped insulation. However, it is recommended that you check the manufacturer's instructions before using a tumble dryer, as some materials may be damaged by the heat.
If you don't have access to a tumble dryer, or if the manufacturer recommends against it, you can hang your sleeping bag up to air dry. Ideally, this should be done over a line, with the zippers down, in a spot where the bag won't be exposed to contaminants or corrosives like tree sap, bird droppings, or oil. You can also use a household fan to keep the air moving around the bag. If hanging your bag inside, make sure it is in a cool, dry place that is not too hot or humid, and avoid direct sunlight, as UV rays can damage the exterior coating and materials.
Once your sleeping bag is completely dry, it is important to air out the insulation material. To do this, leave the bag unzipped and hanging for at least 4 to 6 hours. You can also turn the bag inside out for a few hours first to ensure it dries evenly.
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Store in a cool, dry place
Storing your double sleeping bag in a cool, dry place is essential to maintaining its quality and ensuring a comfortable night's sleep. Incorrectly stored sleeping bags can easily become soiled or damaged, and the fragile insulation fibres inside can be compromised.
Firstly, it is important to give your sleeping bag a thorough cleaning before storing it. This is because body oils, sweat and dirt in the insulation can affect performance. Even if you don't have a mould or mildew problem, it is recommended to wash your bag periodically. If you're an avid backpacker, washing your sleeping bag once a season is a good idea.
Once your sleeping bag is clean, it is important to air it out. This helps to prevent unpleasant odours and maintain the loft of the insulation material. To do this, unzip your sleeping bag completely and hang it in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours. Make sure to hang it somewhere out of direct sunlight as UV rays can damage the exterior coating and materials. If you are airing your sleeping bag inside, make sure the room is not too hot or humid.
When placing the bag into the storage bag, slowly feed the sleeping bag into a mesh bag and shake it out to allow it maximum loft. Keep your bag in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and windows, to prevent long-term UV damage. A shelf in a closet or hanging over a rack are also great spots to store a sleeping bag.
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Use a breathable cotton or mesh bag
A double sleeping bag should be stored in a cool, dry place. Using a breathable cotton or mesh bag is a great way to achieve this. Firstly, ensure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it. Hanging it in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours is ideal. If you're airing your bag inside, ensure the room isn't too hot or humid.
The next step is to place your sleeping bag inside a breathable cotton or mesh bag. These bags are usually supplied with your sleeping bag purchase. If not, you can purchase one or use a king-size pillowcase, although this may be a little small. A 90L cotton or mesh sack is a good size for storing a sleeping bag.
When placing the bag into the storage bag, slowly feed the sleeping bag into the mesh bag and shake it out to allow it maximum loft. This will help maintain the fluffiness of the insulation inside your sleeping bag and prevent any potential damage from compression over time.
Finally, store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, such as a shelf in a closet or a dry room. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics, as moisture and temperature extremes are hard on your bag.
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Hang it in a well-ventilated area
Hanging a double sleeping bag in a well-ventilated area is a great way to store it. This method improves airflow around the bag, ensuring it dries quickly after use or washing, and preserving its longevity.
To hang your sleeping bag, choose an area with enough space to suspend it freely and avoid sun exposure. You can hang it in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area, on a line or a large hanger, in a covered outdoor space. If hanging it outside, be mindful of the weather and avoid direct sunlight, as UV rays can weaken the fabric. If hanging indoors, a well-ventilated cupboard or wardrobe is ideal. A large closet or wardrobe provides good ventilation and airflow, but be mindful of how hot the room gets. Alternatively, you can hang it in a garage, ensuring the space is dry and well-ventilated.
When hanging your sleeping bag, use an extra-wide, soft hanger, like a colourful knitted one, to avoid creases and pressure points. Adjust the bag's position occasionally so it doesn't rest on the same spot continuously. Hanging the bag allows the down plumes to spread out and breathe, helping them stay springy and voluminous.
If you have limited space, you can lay your sleeping bag flat on a shelf or in a closet, ensuring it won't be stepped on or squashed.
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Frequently asked questions
Storing a double sleeping bag is similar to storing a single sleeping bag. It should be stored uncompressed in a cool, dry place.
Stuff sacks compress the sleeping bag, which damages the insulation over time, reducing its effectiveness.
If you have space, hang your sleeping bag in a cool, dry, well-ventilated cupboard. If you don't have space, store it in a large, breathable cotton or mesh bag in a cool, dry place.
After each use, air out your sleeping bag and ensure it is completely dry before storing it. If it needs to be washed, use a front-loading washing machine or wash it by hand. Dry it on a low heat setting with tennis balls to help break up clumps of insulation.
