Gina Johnson
Mummy sleeping bags are designed for cold-weather adventures, providing warmth without bulk. While they don't need frequent washing, it's important to keep them clean to retain their loft and warmth. This guide will show you how to wash a down mummy sleeping bag, covering key considerations such as choosing the right detergent, selecting the appropriate washer and dryer settings, and performing essential pre- and post-wash care to ensure your bag stays in top condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Once a year, at a minimum |
| When to wash | Before storing for an extended period |
| How to prevent washing | Use a sleeping bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag |
| How to wash | Use a front-loading washing machine on a gentle cycle or hand-wash |
| Use a specialist down cleaner or soap specifically formulated for down | |
| Wash at 30° or with cold water | |
| Do not dry clean, use fabric softener, bleach, or alternative-bleach products | |
| Do not use a top-loading machine with an agitator | |
| Drying | Use a tumble dryer on low heat with tennis balls or dryer balls to restore loft |
| Air drying is possible but will take a long time | |
| Ensure the bag is completely dry before storing to avoid mold or mildew |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sleeping bag liner to reduce the need for frequent washes
Mummy sleeping bags, like other sleeping bags, are susceptible to dirt buildup from body oils, sweat, grime, and odours from food, campfire smells, sunscreen, and bug spray. Over time, this buildup can reduce the loft and effectiveness of your sleeping bag, compromising its insulation and warmth.
To reduce the need for frequent washes, consider using a sleeping bag liner. Sleeping bag liners are thin sheets that go inside your sleeping bag and act as a barrier between your skin and the bag. They are typically made of lightweight materials such as cotton, silk, wool, or polyester, and they can be easily washed and dried at the end of each trip. Liners can protect your sleeping bag from dirt and body oils, prolonging its lifespan and reducing the need for laundering.
Liners also provide added insulation, increasing the temperature rating of your sleeping bag by 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them especially useful for winter camping, as they can boost the warmth of your sleeping bag without requiring you to purchase a specific winter bag. Additionally, in hot climates, a liner can be used on its own without a sleeping bag, providing a lightweight and breathable option.
When choosing a sleeping bag liner, consider the material that best suits your needs in terms of climate, weight considerations, and personal preferences. For example, silk liners are strong, lightweight, and less odour-catching, while cotton liners are more wallet-friendly, breathable, and easy to wash and dry.
By using a sleeping bag liner, you can effectively reduce the frequency of washing your mummy sleeping bag, keeping it cleaner and prolonging its lifespan.
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Wash your bag at the end of the season before storing it
It is recommended to wash your mummy sleeping bag at the end of the season before storing it. This will ensure that your bag remains clean and retains its loft and warmth. Body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on your bag over time, compromising its insulation and leaving it with an unpleasant odour.
To wash your bag, start by inspecting it for any tears or damage. If you find any, be sure to repair them before washing. Close all zippers, fasteners, and Velcro, and turn the bag inside out. If you are washing your bag in a bathtub, clean the tub first and fill it with lukewarm water and the recommended amount of a down-specific cleaner, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct or Grangers Down Wash. Gently knead the bag in the water, being careful not to pick it up during this process as the weight of the water can strain or tear the seams. Drain the tub and carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the excess water. Refill the tub with clean water and knead the bag again to ensure all soap is rinsed out. Repeat this process until there are no more suds.
If you are using a washing machine, choose a front-loading machine without an agitator, as these can damage the bag. Select a gentle or delicate cycle and wash with cold or lukewarm water to protect the insulation and fabric. Add a down-specific detergent, such as Down Care Kit detergent, and avoid using regular detergent or fabric softener. After washing, rinse the bag thoroughly to ensure all detergent residue is removed. Before removing the bag from the machine, place several towels on the floor to soak up any excess water, as down feathers are delicate and the bag will be heavy.
Once your bag is washed, it is important to dry it properly. Use a tumble dryer on low heat and add tennis balls to help restore loft and prevent clumping. The drying process can take several hours, so be patient. If you do not have access to a dryer, you can air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or by hanging it up. Ensure that the bag is completely dry before storing it to avoid mould or mildew.
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Choose the right washer: avoid top-loading machines with agitators
When it comes to choosing a washer for your mummy sleeping bag, it's important to avoid top-loading machines with agitators. The agitator in these machines can strain or rip the seams of your sleeping bag, causing damage. Specifically, the twisting action of the agitator can harm the internal baffles that keep the down compartmentalized inside the bag.
If you decide to use a top-loading machine, opt for one without an agitator. Some newer models of top-loading machines are designed without agitators, using half the water of standard top loaders and offering a gentler wash. These machines are a good alternative if you prefer top-loading washers or don't have access to a front-loading machine.
However, it's worth noting that many sources recommend using a front-loading machine for washing mummy sleeping bags. Front loaders are generally considered safer for these delicate items because they don't have agitators. The absence of agitators prevents the twisting and strain that can damage the fabric and seams of your sleeping bag.
If you do use a top-loading machine with an agitator, some sources suggest using the delicate setting that locks the agitator in place. This prevents the agitator from twisting and reduces the risk of damage to your sleeping bag. However, even with these precautions, there is still a risk of entanglement or strain that could damage your sleeping bag.
To ensure the safest and most effective cleaning method for your mummy sleeping bag, it is recommended to follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. They will provide specific guidelines or recommendations for washing your particular bag, including the type of washer that is safest to use.
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Use a down-specific detergent and avoid laundry detergents
When it comes to washing a down mummy sleeping bag, it is important to use a down-specific detergent and avoid standard laundry detergents. This is because the fillers, brighteners and optical brighteners commonly found in regular laundry detergents can stick to the filaments of the down plumes and feathers, preventing them from lofting and reducing their insulating power.
Down-specific detergents, on the other hand, are formulated to be very mild and will rinse out without leaving residue. They are designed to protect the natural oils of the down, which are essential for retaining loft. Grangers Down Wash is an excellent product that is specifically designed for washing down items and is recommended by several sources. It is also available as part of a kit, which includes special balls for use in the dryer that can help to speed up the drying process and improve loft.
If you are unable to find a down-specific detergent, a gentle, non-detergent soap can be used as an alternative. However, it is important to avoid using fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products, as these can damage the down.
When washing your down mummy sleeping bag, it is also recommended to use a front-loading washing machine on a gentle cycle, or to hand-wash the bag. Top-loading washing machines with agitators should be avoided, as they can be too rough on the ultralight fabrics and seams of the sleeping bag, leading to potential damage.
By using a down-specific detergent and following the recommended washing methods, you can effectively clean your down mummy sleeping bag while preserving its loft and insulating properties.
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Tumble dry on low heat with tennis balls to restore loft
Once you've washed your mummy sleeping bag, it's time to dry it. Tumble drying on low heat with two to three tennis balls added to the dryer can help restore the bag's loft. The tennis balls help break up clumps of down, which speeds up the drying process and prevents the down from hardening together. This method can also help to restore the bag's warmth.
It's important to dry your sleeping bag thoroughly. If it isn't dried properly, clumps of down can harden, and the loft will be lost. To ensure your bag is thoroughly dry, pause the dryer every 15-20 minutes to fluff the bag by hand and monitor the heat. It's also important to ensure that your bag is completely dry before storing it to avoid mould or mildew.
The drying process can take several hours, so be prepared to run multiple cycles if needed. If you don't have access to a dryer, you can air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. However, air drying will take longer.
While tumble drying with tennis balls is a common method for restoring loft, some people choose not to use them. One alternative is to use dryer balls, which are about the size and weight of tennis balls but have spikes all around the surface to help break up the down clumps. Another option is to use a couple of old tube socks with two tennis or racquet balls inside each sock. This method can help keep the balls moving and prevent them from getting bogged down in the bag.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, but if you use it more frequently, you may need to wash it more often.
Yes, you can use a washing machine to wash your mummy sleeping bag, but make sure it is a front-loading washer and not a top-loading one with an agitator as this can damage the bag.
You should avoid using regular laundry detergent as this can stick to the bag and prevent lofting. Instead, opt for a specialist down cleaner such as Grangers Down Wash or Nikwax Down Wash Direct.
