Gina Johnson
Knowing how to store a memory foam sleeping bag is essential to prolonging its life and ensuring that you get a good night's sleep. Proper storage of your sleeping bag is crucial for maintaining its warmth, comfort, and longevity. Before storing or compressing your sleeping bag, it is important to give it a thorough cleaning and ensure it is completely dry. A large, breathable cotton or mesh storage sack is ideal for maintaining loft without compressing the fill. The bag should be stored in a cool, dry place, avoiding damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics. These steps will help to ensure your memory foam sleeping bag remains in top condition for your next outdoor adventure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Clean the sleeping bag before storing it. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can degrade the fabric and filling over time. |
| Drying | Dry the sleeping bag thoroughly before storing it. Minor moisture can lead to mold and mildew. |
| Storage sack | Store the sleeping bag in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This maintains loft without compressing the fill. |
| Storage area | Store the sleeping bag in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics. |
| Hanging | If hanging the sleeping bag, ensure it is out of direct sunlight as UV rays can damage the exterior coating and materials. |
| Loft | Allow the sleeping bag to fully loft (fluff up) while being stored. This keeps a protective layer of air around the insulation materials. |
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What You'll Learn
Clean and dry the sleeping bag
To clean and dry a memory foam sleeping bag, you should first consult the bag maker's instructions, which can be found on a label or online. If you're handwashing the bag, fill a bathtub with cool or warm water and add a cleaning product suitable for the type of sleeping bag you have. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out. If you're using a washing machine, opt for a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. If you're unable to get to a laundromat, use a front-loading washer at home, but avoid top-loading washers with agitator columns, as your bag could get damaged.
If your sleeping bag has accumulated dirt, body oils, or grime, you may need to give it a full wash. To do this, unzip the bag completely to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking, and use a non-detergent soap or a detergent like Arm & Hammer Oxy-Clean Pods. For down sleeping bags, use a gear wash specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct. Avoid using fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products, and never dry clean your sleeping bag, as the solvents used can strip the natural oils from the down.
After washing, gently squeeze out as much water as you can from the bag. Then, gather it up in your arms and carry it to a dryer. If you're air-drying your bag, lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up to dry, being careful not to put too much stress on the fabric. If you're using a dryer, a large commercial dryer is best, although a large home dryer can also work. Set the dryer to low heat and check on your sleeping bag frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. To speed up the drying process and help fluff up the fill, add two or three tennis balls or wool dryer balls to the dryer.
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Store in a cool, dry place
Storing your memory foam sleeping bag in a cool, dry place is essential to maintaining its insulation, warmth, and comfort over time. Here are some tips to ensure optimal storage:
Firstly, always start with a clean and thoroughly dried sleeping bag. Minor moisture can lead to mould and mildew, while dirt and body oils can degrade the fabric and filling over time. If you have access to outdoor space, you can hang the bag outside in a dry, temperature-controlled area. If not, an indoor area with a fan or dehumidifier will also work. Always dry your sleeping bag on a low heat setting to avoid damage from heat.
When selecting a storage area, avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics, as these can have humidity and temperature fluctuations that can harm the sleeping bag. Instead, opt for a dry and cool storage area, such as a temperature-controlled closet or room.
For the storage container, a large, breathable storage sack is ideal. Many sleeping bags come with a separate storage sack designed to maintain loft without compressing the fill. Cotton or mesh laundry bags are excellent alternatives if a storage sack is not available. Make sure to loosely stow your sleeping bag inside the sack to allow for air circulation.
By following these steps, you can properly store your memory foam sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, ensuring its longevity and performance for many adventures to come.
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Use a breathable storage sack
When storing a memory foam sleeping bag, it is important to use a large, breathable storage sack. This is because the insulation loft is key to keeping you warm. The fill needs to fluff up (loft) to create small air pockets within the insulation, which then trap body heat to keep you warm while you sleep.
A breathable cotton or mesh sack is ideal for this purpose. Cotton or mesh laundry bags are also good options if a designated storage sack is not available. The best storage sack is a jumbo cotton storage bag that most bags are sold with today. This bag keeps things contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing for air circulation.
If your bag did not come with a large storage bag, you can use a king-size pillowcase. However, a pillowcase may be a little too small. A better option is to purchase a cotton or mesh sack (90L is a good size) to store your sleeping bag in.
It is important to avoid storing your sleeping bag in a compressed state for long periods of time, as this can damage the insulation and reduce the bag's effectiveness in trapping warmth. Therefore, a breathable storage sack is ideal as it allows for air circulation and helps maintain the insulation loft.
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Avoid compression
Memory foam sleeping bags, like mattresses, should not be stored in a compressed state for long. If you leave your sleeping bag in a compressed state inside its stuff sack for several months, it will lose its resiliency and lofting ability. Lofting is key to keeping you warm—the fill needs to loft to create small air pockets within the insulation, which then trap body heat to help you stay warm while you sleep.
If you have to store your memory foam sleeping bag in a compressed state, make sure it is for a short period and that the bag is completely dry before you do so. Moisture and temperature extremes are hard on your bag, so avoid damp basements and unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics. Instead, store your compressed sleeping bag in a roomy corner of a closet, in a cool and dry place.
If you are storing your memory foam sleeping bag for a longer period, make sure it is not in a compressed state. Extract it from its stuff sack, dry it thoroughly, and loosely stow it inside a large breathable cotton or mesh sack. The best storage sack is a jumbo cotton storage bag that most bags are sold with today. That bag keeps things contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing air circulation.
If you have to store your memory foam sleeping bag in its compressed state for longer than a few days, it is probably best to buy a new bag. Compressed foam usually takes a night or two to recover its original shape, and if stored for longer, the compression process will damage it over time.
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Hang it up
Hanging up your memory foam sleeping bag is a great way to store it. Firstly, ensure your sleeping bag is clean and completely dry. You can aid the drying process by turning the bag inside out for the first 4 hours, then turning it back for the remaining 4 hours. If you do not have outdoor space, you can hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you have the space, hang your sleeping bag on a hook. If not, you can hang it over a line or a large hanger.
If you are hanging your sleeping bag indoors, set up a fan or dehumidifier to speed up the drying process. You can also use a commercial dryer, although this is not usually necessary unless you are washing your bag. If you do use a dryer, dry on a low heat setting and check frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting.
If you are hanging your bag outdoors, do not leave it in direct sunlight as UV rays can weaken the fabric. Once your bag is dry, you can store it in a cool, dry place.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to store your memory foam sleeping bag in a cool, dry place. You can hang it in a temperature-controlled indoor area or place it in a large cotton or mesh sack.
Before storing your memory foam sleeping bag, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Dirt, grime, oils and even minor moisture can cause damage to the bag over time.
A large, breathable cotton or mesh sack is ideal for storing your memory foam sleeping bag. Many sleeping bags come with a separate storage sack, but you can also use a cotton or mesh laundry bag.
It is recommended to wash your memory foam sleeping bag periodically, even if you don't have any mould or mildew problems. Body oils, sweat and dirt can compromise the performance of your sleeping bag over time. If you use your bag frequently, it is recommended to wash it once a season.
You should let your memory foam sleeping bag hang in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours before storing it. This helps to ensure that the bag is thoroughly dried and that any unwanted odours are removed.
