Evie Summers
Knowing how to store a sleeping bag is essential to prolonging its life and ensuring that you get a good night's sleep. Incorrectly stored sleeping bags can easily become soiled or damaged, and over time the fragile insulation fibres inside will be damaged, leading to a cold night's sleep. The best way to store a sleeping bag is to keep it dry, clean, uncompressed, and aired out.
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What You'll Learn
Clean and dry your sleeping bag before storing
Before storing your sleeping bag, it is important to clean and dry it thoroughly. This is because natural body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on the outer fabric of your bag over time and accumulate on the insulation fibres. This reduces the efficacy of your bag and can result in a cold night's sleep. To avoid this, follow the steps below:
Firstly, unzip your sleeping bag completely and let it hang in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours. If you are airing your bag inside, ensure that the room is well-ventilated and not too hot or humid. Avoid hanging your bag in direct sunlight as UV rays can damage the exterior coating and materials.
Next, spot clean your bag. Start by wiping away any dirt or debris from the exterior with a soft toothbrush or slightly damp cloth. Then, turn your sleeping bag inside out and use a dedicated technical soap to spot clean any stains or marks. Make a slightly diluted mixture of the soap in a small dish and use a soft toothbrush to gently scrub the stains. Remember to pull the outer fabric away from the insulation to avoid getting the fibres wet.
If your sleeping bag is heavily soiled or has lost its fluffiness, you may need to give it a full wash. Hand washing is an option, but it can be very labor-intensive. You can also use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat, ensuring it is a front-loading machine without an agitator to avoid damaging the bag. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. Do not dry clean your sleeping bag as the solvents 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 have a large dryer at home, you can use that. Alternatively, lay the bag flat on a clean surface outside in the sun or partial shade. You may need to manually break up clumps of insulation as your bag dries. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer to help restore the loft and speed up the drying process.
Finally, ensure your bag is completely dry before storing it. It is crucial to let it air overnight if needed, as storing a damp bag can lead to mould or mildew.
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Use a breathable cotton or mesh sack
When storing a sleeping bag, it is important to keep it uncompressed, clean, dry, and aired out. This is because the sleeping bag's loft, or fluffiness, is key to keeping you warm. Compressing the sleeping bag can damage the insulation fibres, causing the bag to lose loft and get "colder".
One way to store a sleeping bag is to use a breathable cotton or mesh sack. The sack should be large and loose, allowing the sleeping bag to retain its original shape and form. A 90L cotton or mesh sack is a good size for storing a sleeping bag, but a king-size pillowcase can also be used if space is limited. If the pillowcase has a button, you can use a safety pin to close the end.
It is important to avoid rolling or folding the sleeping bag when placing it in the sack. Instead, stuff the bag inside to prevent the same creases from forming repeatedly. You can slowly feed the sleeping bag into the mesh sack and shake it out to allow it maximum loft.
Storing your sleeping bag in a breathable cotton or mesh sack will help to protect it from dust, moisture, and compression. This will ensure that the sleeping bag retains its insulating properties and remains comfortable for future use.
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Avoid storing in damp places
Sleeping bags should be stored in a cool, dry place. Moisture and temperature extremes are hard on sleeping bags, so damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics should be avoided. If you store your sleeping bag in a damp place, it may develop mould or mildew. Even if you don't see any mould, the bag's insulating fibres can be damaged by moisture, leading to a cold night's sleep.
If your sleeping bag has been stored in a damp place, check it carefully for mould or mildew before using it. If you find any mould, it's best to throw the bag away. If the bag looks mould-free, you can try washing it, but be aware that mould spores may remain even if they're not visible.
To prevent mould and mildew, always dry your sleeping bag thoroughly before storing it. If possible, hang it in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you don't have space to hang the bag, you can use a large commercial dryer on a low heat setting, tossing in a few clean tennis balls to help fluff up the fill.
Once your bag is completely dry, store it loosely in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This allows for air circulation and prevents the bag from getting crushed, which can damage the insulating fibres. You can also use a king-size pillowcase or sew your own cotton bag.
In addition to avoiding damp places, it's important to keep your sleeping bag clean. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, reducing the bag's effectiveness and potentially affecting its lifespan. Spot-clean your bag after each use, and consider washing it periodically, especially if you're an avid backpacker.
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Hang it in a cool, dry place
Hanging your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place is a great way to store it. This method ensures that your bag gets enough air circulation and stays off the ground.
Firstly, it is important to unzip your sleeping bag completely. This will allow for even and thorough drying. You can then hang it up in a cool, dry place, such as a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you don't have a lot of space, consider using a sleeping bag hanger to hang it in your closet. Avoid hanging it in direct sunlight, as this can damage the exterior coating and materials. If you don't have an indoor area, you can hang it outside, but make sure it is protected from the elements and moisture.
If you don't have anywhere to hang your sleeping bag, you can also lay it out flat under your bed. This will ensure it stays off the ground and has room to loft and ventilate. It is important to avoid storing your sleeping bag in a damp environment, as this can cause mould to form over time. Basements and attics tend to be humid, so it is best to avoid storing your bag in these places.
Before hanging your sleeping bag to store it, it is important to give it a thorough cleaning. Body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on the outer fabric and insulation fibres over time, reducing the bag's performance. You can do this by spot-cleaning your bag after every trip with a soft toothbrush or a slightly damp cloth. It is also recommended to wash your bag periodically, especially if you are an avid backpacker.
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Don't store it in its stuff sack
When storing a sleeping bag, it is best to avoid using its stuff sack. This is because, over time, the compression of the sleeping bag will cause it to lose its fluffiness or loft. The fluffiness of a sleeping bag is what traps body heat and keeps you warm. Therefore, compressing your sleeping bag for long periods will make it less effective at keeping you warm.
Additionally, the stuff sack that comes with your sleeping bag is designed for packability and portability, not for long-term storage. If you leave your sleeping bag in its stuff sack for several months, it will lose its resiliency and lofting ability. This is because the delicate insulating fibres will be damaged by the compression.
Instead of using the stuff sack, you can hang your sleeping bag in a dry, temperature-controlled area, such as a closet or storage closet. If you don't have enough space to hang it, you can store it in a large cotton or mesh sack that allows for air circulation. A king-size pillowcase can also be used, although it may be a bit small.
It is also important to ensure that your sleeping bag is clean and dry before storing it. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising the performance of your bag and resulting in a cold night's sleep.
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Frequently asked questions
First, unzip the bag completely and hang it in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours. If possible, turn it inside out first and then back out to ensure it dries evenly. Then, store it in a large cotton or mesh sack, or a pillowcase if you don't have one.
No, the stuff sack is only meant for transporting your sleeping bag. Long-term storage in a stuff sack will cause the bag to lose its loft, making it less comfortable and warm.
It's a good idea to wash your sleeping bag occasionally, as body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate and compromise its performance. Hand washing is best, or use a front-loading machine if necessary. Spot-clean your bag after each trip with a soft toothbrush or damp cloth, and technical soap for stains.
As seldom as possible! Wash your bag as often as necessary, but if you're an avid backpacker, it's recommended to wash it once a season.
Store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, like a wardrobe. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics. If you don't have a large storage sack, you can hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled area.
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