Miya Pearson
A clean sleeping bag is a warm sleeping bag. Body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can all build up on your sleeping bag over time, compromising its insulating power and leaving it less than fresh-smelling. To keep your sleeping bag in good condition, it's a good idea to wash it at least once a year, or at the end of each hiking season. If you use a sleeping bag liner, you won't need to wash your bag as often. You can hand wash your sleeping bag at home, or use a commercial laundromat. Alternatively, you can send your bag to a professional cleaning service.
How to Wash a Grizzly Sleeping Bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Once a year, at a minimum. More often if used frequently. |
| When to wash | Before storing for an extended period. |
| How to prevent washing | Use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag to keep it dry. |
| How to wash | Hand wash in a bathtub or use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat. |
| Type of washer | Front-loading washer without an agitator. |
| Type of detergent | Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. |
| Drying | Use a commercial-size dryer, air dry, or tumble dry on low heat. |
| Drying time | At least two to three hours. Down takes longer than synthetic. |
| Additional items | Tennis balls to speed up drying and break up clumps of down. |
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What You'll Learn
How to wash a grizzly sleeping bag by hand
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, and 2-3 times a year if it is in heavy rotation. If you used your sleeping bag multiple times a week through a season, it has been more than 6 months since it was washed, or you simply can't remember when it was cleaned, it's time for a wash.
To wash a Grizzly sleeping bag by hand, you will need:
- A bathtub or large basin/sink
- Lukewarm water
- Enzyme-based stain remover
- Scrub brush
- Soap or detergent
First, turn your sleeping bag inside out and close all zippers. Then, fill the tub with 4-5 inches of lukewarm water and add the appropriate cleaner for your bag type. For synthetic bags, use a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash. For down bags, use a product specifically formulated for down, like Nikwax Down Wash. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be harder to rinse out.
Next, place the sleeping bag in the water and gently work the soap throughout the entire bag. Pay special attention to heavily soiled areas, rubbing them together. Allow the bag to soak for up to one hour. After soaking, drain the tub and gently press out any remaining water. Refill the tub with clean, lukewarm water to rinse, working the soap out gently. Let the bag sit for 15 minutes, then drain the water again. Repeat the rinsing process until all soap residue is removed.
Finally, gently squeeze out as much water as you can from the bag. Do not wring it out. Carry the bag to a dryer, supporting the entire bag to avoid straining and ripping the seams. If you don't have access to a dryer, you can air-dry your sleeping bag. Lay the bag on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up. Manually break up any clumps of insulation as the bag dries.
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How to wash a grizzly sleeping bag in a machine
To wash a Grizzly sleeping bag in a machine, you will need to use a front-loading washing machine on a gentle cycle. Top-loading washing machines with agitators should be avoided as they can damage the sleeping bag. If you don't have access to a front-loading machine, it is recommended to hand-wash the bag instead.
Before washing your sleeping bag, always check the bag's care label or the manufacturer's website for specific instructions. As a general rule, it is recommended to wash your sleeping bag once a year or more frequently if you use it often. It is also a good idea to wash it before storing it for an extended period.
When washing your Grizzly sleeping bag in a machine, follow these steps:
- Unzip the sleeping bag completely to prevent the slider from snagging or breaking.
- Pretreat any stains or greasy spots with a soft toothbrush and a soap paste, or spot-clean with a cleaner like Granger's Outdoor Gear Cleaner.
- Place the sleeping bag in the washing machine, ensuring it has enough room to tumble and clean thoroughly. If needed, add a few other damp items, such as towels or t-shirts, to balance the spin of the machine.
- Use a gentle, non-detergent soap specifically made for washing down or synthetic-filled items, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct or Grangers Down Wash. Avoid using standard laundry detergent as it can lead to clumping and reduce loft.
- Set the machine to warm or cold water, never hot, and select a delicate wash cycle with a temperature setting of no higher than 40°C / 100°F.
- Choose a faster/longer spin cycle to ensure that as much water is spun out of the bag as possible.
- Rinse at least twice to ensure all soap residue is removed. You may need to run an additional rinse and spin cycle to get rid of any remaining suds.
After washing your sleeping bag, you can dry it in a dryer or air dry it. If using a dryer, set it to low heat to avoid melting the fabric or synthetic fill. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to help restore loft and speed up the drying process. Synthetic bags do not require tennis balls.
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How to dry a grizzly sleeping bag in a dryer
To dry a grizzly sleeping bag in a dryer, follow these steps:
Firstly, it is important to note that tumble drying is generally recommended for sleeping bags, as it helps to restore the loft of the bag. If you choose not to tumble dry, you can air dry your sleeping bag, but this will take a couple of days, and you will need to manually break up clumps of insulation as the bag dries.
If you are using a dryer, it is recommended that you use a commercial-size dryer, as these have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. If you do not have access to a commercial dryer, you can use a home dryer, but you will need to ensure that the bag has enough room to tumble and clean thoroughly. Set the dryer to low heat, as high heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics.
For synthetic sleeping bags, expect the drying process to take at least an hour. For down sleeping bags, the process will take several hours. To speed up the drying process for down sleeping bags, add two to three clean tennis balls or a lightweight pair of clean sneakers to the dryer. This will help to break up any clumps of down and restore the loft.
Run as many cycles as needed to completely dry the bag. To ensure your bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag, you can leave it out all night on a bed or hang it up.
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How to air dry a grizzly sleeping bag
Air-drying a Grizzly sleeping bag is a straightforward process, but it requires patience. Firstly, ensure that you have thoroughly rinsed out any detergent or soap from the sleeping bag. This step is time-consuming but necessary. Next, support the entire bag and gently squeeze out any excess water.
Now, you can begin the air-drying process. Lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. This process can take several days. During this time, it is essential to support the bag from beneath when moving it, as the weight of the wet down can rip the internal baffles, leading to uneven down distribution.
Alternatively, you can hang the bag up to dry. If you choose to do this, be careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting too much stress on the nylon fabric.
Finally, to ensure your bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag, lay it out or hang it up overnight.
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How to keep a grizzly sleeping bag clean
Keeping your Grizzly sleeping bag clean will extend its life and improve its performance, making it more pleasant to sleep in. Here are some tips to keep your sleeping bag in good condition:
Preventative Measures
The first step to keeping your sleeping bag clean is to take care of it while camping. Prevent dirt buildup by using a bag liner and sleeping in clean clothes. If you're cooking, change out of those clothes before getting into your sleeping bag, especially if you're in bear country. Oils and odours from cooking can be absorbed by the bag, attracting unwanted attention from wildlife.
If you're spending time by a campfire, consider using an older synthetic bag, as sparks could burn holes in a new down bag. When you're out in the open, protect your bag from the ground by putting a pad down first. Some bags have durable waterproof fabric on the underside, but this needs protection from sharp objects and tree resin.
Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning is your first line of defence. At the end of each trip, wash the liner and wipe down the bag with a clean cloth and warm, soapy water. Waterproof or water-resistant bags should have any liquid spills wiped away immediately before they permeate the fibres. For more stubborn stains, use an enzyme-based stain remover, applying it 15 minutes before washing and working it into the stain with a soft-bristled nylon brush.
Washing
Washing your bag too frequently can be damaging, so only wash it when necessary. If your bag is darkened with grime, or you notice the loft shrinking, it's time to wash it. You should also wash it if there are pungent odours or a lot of dirt. Wash your bag at least once per hiking season, and always before storing it for an extended period.
When washing, use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. The larger capacity ensures your bag is thoroughly rinsed. If you can't get to a laundromat, use a front-loading washer at home, avoiding top-loading washers with an agitator column. These can damage your bag by causing it to become entangled and ripping the seams.
Use a gentle, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items. For down bags, use a product like Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a soap specifically formulated for down, such as a mild down soap. For synthetic bags, use a product like Grangers Down Performance Wash, or a performance wash product. Avoid conventional laundry detergents and 'active wash' products, as these contain harsh detergents.
Wash on a gentle or bedding cycle with warm or cold water, never hot. Avoid bleach and fabric softener. After the cycle, run the bag through another rinse-and-spin cycle to remove any remaining soap.
Drying
Use a commercial-size dryer, if possible, as these have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. Dry on a low heat, as high heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics. Synthetic bags will dry quicker than down bags. You can speed up the drying process by adding two to three tennis balls to the dryer, helping to break up clumps of down.
Alternatively, 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. This will take several hours. To ensure your bag is completely dry before storing, lay it out or hang it up overnight.
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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 want to wash it more often. It is also a good idea to wash your bag before storing it for an extended period.
Yes, you can wash your sleeping bag in a front-loading washing machine without an agitator. It is recommended to use a commercial-size washer at a laundromat to ensure your bag is thoroughly rinsed.
Yes, you can dry your sleeping bag in a dryer, but make sure to set it to low heat so the fabric doesn't melt. It is recommended to use dryer balls or tennis balls to help break up clumps of fill and speed up drying time.
Yes, you can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub or a large sink. Make sure to use lukewarm water and a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down or synthetic-filled items.
To keep your sleeping bag clean while camping, use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out your bag to dry it whenever it gets damp. Avoid jumping or standing inside the bag as this can damage it.
