Gina Johnson
Down sleeping bags are expensive items, but with the correct care, they can last for decades. To ensure that your sleeping bag recovers between trips, it's important to take it out of its stuff sack as soon as you get home. The compression can damage the bag, causing it to lose its function. To protect it from dust, you can use a storage bag or a pillowcase. The bag should be lightly folded or stuffed inside and stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Before storing, it's important to give your bag a thorough cleaning. Body oils, dirt, and grime can build up on the outer fabric and insulation fibres over time, reducing the bag's efficacy. After cleaning, the bag should be completely dried to avoid mould and mildew. Once dry, it should be aired out to help maintain its loft.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleanliness | Before storing, spot-clean the bag with a soft toothbrush or damp cloth, then turn it inside out and use technical soap to clean any stains. |
| Drying | Dry the bag thoroughly before storing. If possible, air it out for 4-8 hours in a covered outdoor space, avoiding direct sunlight. Alternatively, dry it in a temperature-controlled indoor area with a fan or dehumidifier. |
| Storage Location | Store the bag in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a wardrobe or closet. Avoid damp basements, garages, and unheated spaces. |
| Storage Container | Use a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack, or a pillowcase. Avoid storing the bag in its stuff sack for extended periods, as this can damage the fibres and reduce insulation. |
| Loft Maintenance | Allow the bag to fully loft (fluff up) during storage to protect the insulation. If hanging the bag, turn it inside out for a few hours first, then turn it back. |
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What You'll Learn
Remove from stuff sack and dry thoroughly
When removing your down sleeping bag from its stuff sack, it's important to be gentle to avoid damaging the seams. Gather the sleeping bag together and hold it like a baby, distributing the weight evenly.
Once removed from the stuff sack, you can begin the drying process. If you've recently washed your sleeping bag, it's important to remove any excess water. One way to do this is by rolling the sleeping bag up in a few towels and pressing on the roll firmly to soak up the water. You can also set your washing machine to "spin" to dry the sleeping bag.
After removing excess water, you can hang your sleeping bag to air-dry. Hang it over a line or on a large hanger in a covered outdoor space, avoiding direct sunlight. If no outdoor space is available, you can hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. This process should take between 6 and 12 hours, depending on the material of your sleeping bag. Down sleeping bags take longer to dry than synthetic bags.
To speed up the drying process, you can use a fan or dehumidifier, or put the sleeping bag in a dryer. If using a dryer, it's important to set it to low heat and add two to three clean tennis balls to help fluff up the fill and dry everything uniformly. You can also use a commercial dryer, which has a larger capacity that allows fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble.
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Store uncompressed in a breathable cotton or mesh sack
When storing a down sleeping bag, it's important to free it from compression. This is because the insulation in a compressed sleeping bag can't loft properly, and if left in this state for several months, it will lose its lofting ability. Therefore, it is recommended to store your sleeping bag uncompressed in a breathable cotton or mesh sack.
A cotton or mesh sack allows the sleeping bag to loft (fluff up) while being stored for lengthy periods, keeping a protective layer of air around the delicate insulation materials. This helps to maintain the loft of the down fill, which will keep you warm and cosy at night. Additionally, a cotton storage bag can keep things contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing air circulation. If your bag didn't come with a large cotton storage bag, you can purchase one or use a king-size pillowcase. A pillowcase is a breathable option that won't squash the sleeping bag too much, but a cotton or mesh sack is a much better option as it provides more space.
It is also important to ensure that your sleeping bag is clean and completely dry before storing it in a cotton or mesh sack. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising performance and leading to a cold night's sleep. Spot-clean your bag after every trip, and wash it periodically—once a season if you're an avid backpacker. After washing, dry your sleeping bag on low heat, checking it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. Once it is completely dry, it is ready to be stored in a cotton or mesh sack.
When using a cotton or mesh sack for storage, choose a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a wardrobe or closet. Avoid damp basements and unheated spaces like garages and attics. By following these steps, you can effectively store your down sleeping bag uncompressed in a breathable cotton or mesh sack, maintaining its warmth and comfort for future use.
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Hang in a cool, dry, dark place
Hanging your sleeping bag in a cool, dry, dark place is a great way to store it. This method helps to prolong the life of your sleeping bag. It is important to hang your bag in a temperature-controlled environment, avoiding damp basements and unheated spaces such as garages and attics. The ideal storage location is a dry and well-ventilated cupboard, like a walk-in wardrobe. If you don't have access to a cupboard, you can hang your bag in a closet or even from a curtain rod in your bedroom.
To prepare your sleeping bag for hanging, start by thoroughly cleaning it. Natural body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on the outer fabric and insulation fibres over time, compromising the performance of your bag. After cleaning, ensure that your bag is completely dry before hanging it up. You can speed up the drying process by using a fan or dehumidifier, or by hanging your bag in a covered outdoor space, but avoid direct sunlight as UV rays can damage the fabric.
When hanging your sleeping bag, use a standard clothes hanger or a large hanger to ensure the bag is not crushed or creased. You can also use a sleeping bag hanger, which is designed specifically for this purpose. If you don't have a hanger, you can stuff your sleeping bag loosely into a large cotton or mesh storage sack and hang that up instead. This will help prevent dirt and dust from building up on your bag while still allowing for air circulation.
It is recommended to hang your sleeping bag for at least 4 to 6 hours to ensure it is thoroughly aired out. If hanging indoors, ensure the room is not too hot or humid. By following these steps, you can effectively store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry, dark place, maintaining its warmth and comfort for many years.
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Wash and dry before storing
When you arrive home from a camping trip, unzip the bag and air it out to make sure it's completely dry. Then, if it's time for a wash, you can wash and dry your sleeping bag yourself, but be aware that drying will take at least two to three hours, with down sleeping bags taking longer than synthetic.
If you're washing your bag at home, fill your bathtub with cool or warm water and add a down-specific detergent, such as Grangers, Nikwax, or ReviveX Down Cleaner. Avoid using standard detergent, as it won't rinse out correctly and may damage the down. Soak the bag in the water, ensuring it's completely saturated, then gently wash it by hand, taking care not to damage the seams. Rinse the bag thoroughly, removing it from the water and squeezing out as much water as possible. Repeat this process several times to ensure no detergent is left behind.
To dry the bag, roll it up in a few towels and press on the roll firmly to soak up additional water. You can also put it in the washing machine on the "Spin" setting to remove excess water. Then, tumble dry on a low heat setting with a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls, which will help to fluff up the fill. Keep an eye on the dryer and remove the bag every 15 minutes to manually fluff up the down clumps with your hands. You can also air dry the bag, but be aware that this will take longer.
Once your sleeping bag is completely dry, you can store it in a cool, dry place, such as a closet or under your bed. Use a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack, or a king-size pillowcase to keep the bag contained without compressing the fill.
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Store in a pillowcase or storage bag
Storing your down sleeping bag in a pillowcase or storage bag is a great option if you don't have the space to hang it. Firstly, ensure your sleeping bag is clean and completely dry. You can wash your bag in a large commercial dryer on a low heat setting, checking it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. If your bag came with a moisture-absorbing silica gel sachet, you can use this when storing your bag, but only until it becomes saturated with moisture.
Once your bag is clean and dry, it's important to air out the insulation material. Unzip your sleeping bag completely and let it hang in a cool, dry place for at least 4 to 6 hours. If you don't have access to outdoor space, you can hang the bag in a dry, temperature-controlled indoor area. If you're using a pillowcase, a king-size pillowcase is a little on the small side, so you may need to lightly fold or stuff your sleeping bag inside. You can use a safety pin to close the end of the pillowcase if it doesn't have buttons.
If you're using a storage bag, a cotton or mesh sack is a good option, as it will keep your bag contained without compressing the fill, while also allowing air circulation. A 90L bag is a good size. If your bag came with a large storage bag, you can use this. You can also buy a sleeping bag storage bag, which will be large, off-white, and inexpensive.
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Frequently asked questions
It is best to store your sleeping bag uncompressed in a cool, dry, and dark place. You can hang it in a closet or use a cotton or mesh storage sack.
Before storing your sleeping bag, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and dried. You can then air it out for at least 4-8 hours. If possible, turn it inside out for the first few hours.
Wash your sleeping bag as seldom as possible but as often as necessary. If you are an avid backpacker, it is recommended to wash it once a season.
Avoid rolling or stuffing your sleeping bag into a small bag or compression sack. This can damage the fibres and zip. Instead, use a large cotton or mesh sack that comes with the sleeping bag or buy one separately.
