Ashwin Lewis
Sleeping bags are a must-have for camping enthusiasts, but they can be bulky and difficult to store. Proper storage is essential to maintaining the quality of your sleeping bag, ensuring that it keeps you warm and comfortable for many years. In this article, we will discuss the best practices for storing sleeping bags in a closet to keep them in good condition and maximise space efficiency. We will explore different storage solutions, such as using storage sacks, laundry bags, or mesh bags, and provide tips on how to prepare your sleeping bag for storage to prevent damage and maintain its insulating properties.
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What You'll Learn
Use a mesh or cotton storage sack
When storing a sleeping bag, it is important to keep it in a cool, dry place. Avoid damp basements, unheated spaces such as garages and attics, and car trunks. A closet is a suitable option. However, before placing a sleeping bag in a closet, it is crucial to ensure it is clean and dry. Washing your sleeping bag periodically is recommended, especially after returning from a camping trip, to remove body oils, sweat, and dirt that can compromise its performance.
Once your sleeping bag is clean and dry, it is best to store it loosely in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. This prevents the compression of the bag, which can damage the insulation over time. A king-size pillowcase can also work, although it may be on the smaller side. If you're looking for a specific storage sack, consider the following:
- Handy Laundry Commercial Mesh Laundry Bag: This bag is made from sturdy mesh material with a drawstring closure and is machine washable. It measures 24" x 36" (90cm x 60cm), providing plenty of room for your sleeping bag to spread out.
- Macpac Sleeping Bag Storage Sack: This sack is designed for Macpac's range of sleeping bags but can accommodate other brands. It measures 23" x 12" (65cm x 30cm) and will fit most sleeping bags without taking up too much space in your closet.
When placing the bag into the storage sack, slowly feed the sleeping bag into the mesh bag and shake it out to allow it to loft, or fluff up, maximizing its insulating properties. Hanging the storage sack in your closet is a great option, especially if you have limited shelf space.
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Avoid damp, unheated or uncooled spaces
When storing a sleeping bag, it is important to avoid damp, unheated, or uncooled spaces. This is because moisture and temperature extremes can damage the bag. For example, basements, garages, attics, and car trunks are not suitable places to store sleeping bags.
Sleeping bags should be stored in a cool, dry place. This will help to maintain the bag's quality and ensure that it keeps you warm and comfortable for many years. A dry place is especially important if you have a sleeping bag with down stuffing.
If you are using a storage container for your sleeping bag, opt for one made of natural materials such as cotton or canvas. You can also use a large cardboard box or a mesh laundry bag, which will allow your sleeping bag to breathe.
It is also important to avoid compressing your sleeping bag when storing it. This is because packing a sleeping bag tightly will compress its fibers, causing them to break down over time. Instead, store your bag loosely, allowing it to unfurl and maintain its loft.
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Wash your bag periodically
Washing your sleeping bag periodically is important to prevent dirt buildup and to keep it in good condition. It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, but this may vary depending on usage and personal preference. If you use your bag frequently, you may need to wash it more often. Conversely, if you are an avid camper, washing your bag once a season is recommended.
Before washing your sleeping bag, it is important to inspect it for any holes, tears, or other damage. Additionally, always read the care label inside the sleeping bag before washing it. Synthetic sleeping bags can generally be washed more often than down sleeping bags. When washing a synthetic bag, use a gentle cycle and a temperature of no more than 30º Celsius (86º Fahrenheit). It is best to avoid washing a down sleeping bag in a washing machine, as it can damage the natural oils and insulating performance.
There are several methods for washing your sleeping bag. You can hand wash it in a bathtub, which can be labor-intensive, or use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat. If you have access to a front-loading washer at home, you can use that instead, but avoid top-loading washers with agitator columns as they can damage your bag. For down bags, use a gear wash specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a detergent that is safe for down items. Standard laundry detergent can cause clumping or reduced loft.
After washing your sleeping bag, it is important to dry it thoroughly. Always dry your bag on a low heat setting and check it frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. You can also use a large commercial dryer, but this is usually not needed unless you wash your bag. Adding clean tennis balls to the dryer can help fluff up the fill and dry your bag uniformly.
To prolong the time between washes, you can use a sleeping bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out your bag whenever it gets damp. Sunlight has antibacterial properties, but it can also damage fabrics, so it is recommended to dry your bag in the shade. Brushing off your bag and turning it inside out before storing it can also help keep it clean.
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Dry with low heat and tennis balls
When drying your sleeping bag, it is important to dry it thoroughly and use a low heat setting to avoid damage from heat. Tumble dryers can be used to dry sleeping bags, but home dryers are often not big enough. Commercial dryers are recommended, but if you are using a tumble dryer at home, it is important to check on the bag frequently.
To dry your sleeping bag, you can use two or three clean tennis balls to fluff up the fill and dry everything uniformly. The tennis balls help to break up any clumps of down and preserve loft. Some people prefer to use dryer balls, which are about the same size and weight as tennis balls but have little spikes all around the surface to help break up the down clumps. Alternatively, you can use the old trick of putting a couple of old tube socks with two tennis or racquet balls in each sock. This keeps the balls moving and prevents them from getting bogged down in the bag.
If you don't want to use a dryer, you can also dry your sleeping bag by hanging it on a clothesline in the sun. Go out and pat the down around every 2 hours or so. Leave it out for a full day and give it a couple of hours the next day, then put it away.
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Store in a cool, dry place
Storing your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place is critical to maintaining its quality. Extreme temperatures and moisture can damage the bag and cause deterioration of the insulating material. Therefore, it is best to avoid storing your bag in damp environments such as basements, uninsulated attics, garages, and sheds, where temperature and humidity cannot be regulated.
Instead, opt for a cool and dry room or cupboard with decent ventilation and airflow. A large closet or wardrobe is often ideal for storing sleeping bags as they usually meet these conditions. If you don't have enough space inside your wardrobe, consider placing it on top, ensuring the room doesn't get too hot. Alternatively, you can store your sleeping bag under your bed, laid flat in a large storage bag or wrapped inside a cotton sheet.
If you must store your sleeping bag in an attic, basement, or garage, take extra care to ensure these areas are well-ventilated and protected from extreme temperatures and humidity. For instance, if you store your bag in the attic, choose a spot close to the attic hatch or eaves, where the temperatures are slightly cooler. In a basement, opt for a high shelf, as the hotter and drier air rises, while the cooler and damper air falls to the floor.
To further protect your sleeping bag from the elements, place it inside a cotton or mesh storage sack. This will keep the bag contained without compressing its insulating fibres, allowing for air circulation. Most sleeping bags come with a jumbo cotton storage bag, but if yours didn't, you can use a king-size pillowcase or purchase a cotton or mesh sack.
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Frequently asked questions
To store a sleeping bag in a closet, first, ensure it is clean and dry. Then, place it inside a large cotton or mesh sack and hang it in the closet or place it on a shelf.
Sleeping bags should be stored in large cotton or mesh sacks. You can buy these sacks from most stores, or you could use the jumbo cotton storage bag that many sleeping bags are sold with. If you want to save money, you could use a king-size pillowcase or a large cardboard box.
Yes, avoid damp basements, unheated spaces such as garages and attics, and car trunks. These places are susceptible to temperature extremes, which are hard on sleeping bags.
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