Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags should be washed with care to ensure their longevity. It is recommended to use a sleeping bag liner to keep the bag clean and reduce the frequency of washing. When it is time to wash your sleeping bag, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions, especially for down sleeping bags. Most sleeping bags can be washed in a front-loading washing machine with non-detergent soap and at a low temperature. However, it is crucial to avoid using fabric softener, bleach, and top-loading machines as they can damage the fabric and seams. For down sleeping bags, it is essential to fluff the feathers during the washing process and use tennis balls or wash balls to prevent clumping. After washing, tumble drying with tennis balls or drying the bag flat and regularly shaking it can help prevent feather clumping. Additionally, restoring water repellency can be achieved by using a wash-in product and activating it with heat or a tumble dryer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Washing Frequency | Avoid washing sleeping bags too often. |
| Washing Method | Use a front-loading washing machine on a gentle cycle or hand-wash. Do not use a top-loading machine. |
| Water Temperature | Use warm water at around 30°C. |
| Detergents | Avoid standard laundry detergents, “active wash” products, fabric softeners, and bleach. Use a small dose of a specialised down soap, performance wash product, or your usual washing product. |
| Additional Items | Add 2-3 tennis balls or wash balls to the machine to preserve insulation. |
| Drying | Use a tumble dryer with tennis balls or wash balls on a delicate cycle. Alternatively, dry the bag flat on a clothes rack and beat/shake it regularly to prevent feather clumping. |
| Waterproofing | Use a sleeping bag cover for waterproofing. To restore water repellency, use a wash-in product and activate it with heat or a tumble dryer. |
| Maintenance | Use a sleeping bag liner to keep the bag clean and extend its lifespan. Air out the bag by turning it inside out and exposing it to sunlight after use. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sleeping bag liner to reduce the need for washing
Sleeping bags should be washed infrequently to preserve their insulating qualities. Oils and salts from perspiration, as well as grime from the outside world, can compromise the insulation of a sleeping bag if it is not washed. However, washing a sleeping bag can be tedious and time-consuming, and using a tumble dryer is more efficient than line drying.
Using a sleeping bag liner can reduce the need for washing. Liners are available in a variety of materials, including silk, fleece, microfiber, and wool. They are designed to be comfortable, lightweight, and easy to pack, and they can be machine washed. Liners provide an extra layer of insulation and warmth, and they can help manage moisture in warm and humid conditions. They also protect your sleeping bag from accumulating dirt, bacteria, and everyday wear and tear, which can extend the life of your sleeping bag.
Sleeping bag liners are especially useful for backpackers and travellers who may encounter less-than-pristine bedding. They can improve hygiene and protect your investment by reducing the number of times you need to wash your sleeping bag. Liners are also useful for managing moisture, as they can wick moisture away from your body, keeping you comfortable in warm and humid conditions.
In addition to keeping your sleeping bag clean, a liner can also help to extend the temperature range of your sleeping bag by adding warmth in colder conditions. Silk blend liners, in particular, are designed to be light and compact, making them ideal for travel. They can keep you cool in warm conditions and add a layer of breathable comfort in rugged outdoor conditions.
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Zip up the sleeping bag and use a front-loading washing machine
To wash your Decathlon sleeping bag in a front-loading washing machine, start by zipping up all the zips on the bag. This will ensure that the bag is secured and no water gets inside during the wash.
Next, place the sleeping bag in the washing machine. If your sleeping bag is made of down, use a product specifically formulated for down, such as a very mild down soap, which will rinse out without leaving residue. You can also use a performance wash product for synthetics, such as Grangers Down Performance Wash. Avoid using conventional laundry detergents or 'active wash' products, as the harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners can stick to the feathers, down, or polyester fibres and prevent them from lofting properly.
Once you've added the soap, add two or three tennis balls (ideally worn ones to avoid losing yellow fibres) or wash balls to the drum. These will help to fluff up the feathers and down during the washing process and prevent clumping.
Finally, start a delicate wash cycle at 30°C. Use a smaller dose of your chosen product than usual. You can also use a product designed for duvets, which will help preserve the insulating qualities of your sleeping bag.
After washing, tumble drying is the most efficient and least tedious drying method. Place the sleeping bag in the tumble dryer with the tennis or wash balls and run two to three delicate drying cycles. Between each cycle, beat or shake the sleeping bag to break up any clumps of feathers and down. If you don't have access to a tumble dryer, dry the sleeping bag flat on a clothes rack and beat or shake it regularly to prevent feather clumping.
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Use a specialised soap, not standard laundry detergent
When it comes to washing a sleeping bag, it's important to use a specialised soap rather than a standard laundry detergent. Standard laundry detergents contain harsh ingredients, such as fillers and optical brighteners, which can stick to the filaments, plumes and feathers of the sleeping bag. This can prevent them from lofting properly, compromising the insulation and leaving your bag less effective at retaining heat.
Specialised soaps, on the other hand, are formulated to be very mild and will not leave residue. For down sleeping bags, use a down-specific soap, which is designed to rinse out easily and maintain the loft and insulation of the down. Grangers Down Wash is an excellent product for this purpose.
For synthetic sleeping bags, opt for a performance wash product, such as Grangers Down Performance Wash. These products are designed to clean synthetic materials effectively without leaving behind any residue that could compromise the performance of your sleeping bag.
If you're spot cleaning your sleeping bag, a mild soap and a soft-bristled toothbrush can be used to gently clean the shell and liner fabric. This is a good option for the hood and foot areas, which tend to get extra dirty from hair and skin oils.
When washing your sleeping bag, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and use the recommended amount of specialised soap.
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Dry the bag in a tumble dryer with tennis balls or washing balls
Drying your sleeping bag in a tumble dryer is more efficient and less tedious than line drying. However, it is important to note that machine heat varies, so you should check on your sleeping bag often. If it's too hot, the fabric or even the synthetic fill can melt.
To dry your sleeping bag in a tumble dryer, place the sleeping bag in the tumble dryer with two or three tennis balls or washing balls. Start two to three delicate drying cycles and beat/shake the sleeping bag between each cycle to break up clumps of feathers and down. If your sleeping bag is down-filled, drying with tennis balls will help to preserve its loft.
If you are drying your sleeping bag in a tumble dryer, it is recommended that you wait until the down is 90% dry before adding the tennis balls. You can also 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.
If you are using a tumble dryer, it is important to check for any burrs or sharp edges that could snag the fabric of your sleeping bag.
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Avoid bleach and fabric softener
Bleach and fabric softener should be avoided when washing a sleeping bag. Bleach can damage the sleeping bag by decreasing its loft, compromising its ability to insulate. Fabric softener can damage the water-repellent finish of the sleeping bag and reduce the water-wicking performance of the interior liner fabrics.
It is recommended to use a specialised soap for washing sleeping bags, such as a soap specifically formulated for down sleeping bags, or a performance wash product for synthetics. These soaps are very mild and will rinse out without leaving residue. For synthetic bags, a product such as Grangers Down Performance Wash can be used.
Standard laundry detergents should be avoided as the brighteners and fillers may stick to the down plumes and feathers or the polyester fibres, preventing them from lofting and reducing the bag's insulating qualities.
To maintain the lifespan of your sleeping bag, it is also recommended to use a sleeping bag liner. This will create a barrier between your body oils and dirt and the inside of your sleeping bag, reducing the need for frequent washes.
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