Gina Johnson
Keeping your sleeping bag clean is important for its longevity and insulation efficiency. While it's not necessary to wash your sleeping bag after every trip, it's a good idea to wash it at least once a year. This is especially important if your bag is visibly dirty or has lost its fluffiness (loft). Washing your bag will help to remove any built-up body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime that can compromise its loft and warmth. There are several ways to wash a sleeping bag, including hand washing in a bathtub, using a commercial washer and dryer at a laundromat, or sending it to a professional cleaning service. It's important to use the correct cleaning products and techniques to avoid damaging the bag or reducing its insulating power.
How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Once a year, at a minimum |
| When to wash | Before storing for an extended period of time |
| Washing techniques | Hand wash in a bathtub, use a commercial washer at a laundromat, or send to a professional service |
| Dry cleaning | Avoid due to harsh industrial solvents |
| Keeping the bag cleaner | Use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag to dry |
| Type of washer | Avoid top-loading washers with agitator columns |
| Type of detergent | Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down |
| Drying | Use a commercial dryer, set on low heat |
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack |
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What You'll Learn
Use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat
If you don't want to hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, or send it to a professional service, you can use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat.
First, check your sleeping bag's care label or look up the maker's instructions online. You'll want to use a non-detergent soap that is made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items. You'll also need to use a front-loading commercial washer, as a top-loading washer with an agitator column could damage your bag. When you arrive at the laundromat, inspect the machines before choosing one. Open up each front loader and run your hand over the interior drum, feeling for burrs in the metal or foreign objects like safety pins, which could tear your bag. Next, inspect the detergent dispenser for any old detergent, fabric softener, or bleach residue, and clean these out carefully or move to another machine. To be extra safe, you can run an empty load to wash out any residual soap or additives.
When you're ready to wash your sleeping bag, use the gentle cycle with warm water (or cold, if required by the bag maker). If your sleeping bag has a waterproof exterior shell, turn it inside out so that water can reach the down. After the first wash, do another cycle without any down soap, to make sure that the down in your sleeping bag has been rinsed fully.
Once the wash cycle is complete, carefully lift your wet sleeping bag out of the machine and carry it over to the dryer. It's important that you support the whole bag in your hands or lay it on a cart, as your bag is very fragile when it's wet. Use a front-loading dryer, and repeat the drum inspection process, eliminating any dryer that has imperfections or burrs where the fabric of your bag can tear. Set the dryer to low heat and dry your bag for 20 minutes. Then, gently break up any clumps of down with your hands and let the bag dry for another 20 minutes. Repeat this process for three or more hours or until all of the down clumps have broken up.
When you leave the laundromat, don't put your sleeping bag in a stuff sack or compress it. At home, spread it out and let it loft for a few days before you use it.
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Use a mild, non-detergent soap
When washing your sleeping bag, it is important to use a mild, non-detergent soap. This is because regular powder or liquid detergent is too harsh for goose and duck down, and will strip the oil from the down in your sleeping bag. Special non-detergent soaps, such as Nikwax, are available for this purpose. These soaps will not strip the oil from the down, ensuring that your sleeping bag retains its loft. Loft is key to keeping warm, as the air spaces within the insulation trap body heat.
If you are washing your bag in a machine, inspect the detergent dispenser to ensure that it is clean and free of any residue from old detergent, fabric softener, or bleach. To be safe, you can run an empty load to wash out any residual soap or additives.
When washing your bag, avoid using too much soap, as this will be hard to rinse out. Work the soap gently throughout the entire bag, paying extra attention to heavily soiled areas. Allow the bag to soak for up to an hour, then drain the tub and press out any remaining water. Next, refill the tub with cool or warm water to rinse, and gently work the soap out. Let the bag sit for 15 minutes, then drain and press out any remaining water. Repeat the rinsing process until all the soap is out.
After the first wash, it is recommended to do another wash without any soap, to ensure that the down is fully rinsed.
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Avoid dry cleaning
Dry cleaning your sleeping bag is not recommended. The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils from the down, which are essential for retaining its loft. Instead, opt for handwashing your sleeping bag in a bathtub or using a commercial washer and dryer at a laundromat.
If you choose to wash your sleeping bag yourself, use a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat. The larger capacity ensures your bag is thoroughly rinsed. Before loading your sleeping bag, inspect the machine for any foreign objects or residue from previous washes. To be safe, you can run an empty load first to wash out any residual soap or additives. If your sleeping bag has a waterproof exterior, turn it inside out so that water can reach the down.
When selecting a detergent, choose a gentle, non-detergent soap specifically designed for washing down and synthetic-filled items. Avoid using regular powder or liquid detergents as they are too harsh and will strip the oil from the down. After the first wash, consider running a second wash cycle without any soap to ensure your sleeping bag is thoroughly rinsed.
Once the washing cycle is complete, carefully remove the sleeping bag from the washer by supporting the entire bag, not just one end. Gently squeeze out the excess water and proceed to the drying step. Use a front-loading dryer and set it to a low-temperature setting. The drying process can take several hours, and you may need to periodically break up clumps of down with your hands to ensure even drying.
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Prevent dirt buildup with a bag liner
Sleeping bag liners are an effective way to prevent dirt buildup in your sleeping bag. Liners are usually made of cotton, silk, wool or polyester and are lightweight. They act as a barrier between your skin and the bag, keeping the bag clean. They also add about 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit to your bag's temperature rating, providing extra warmth.
At the end of each trip, simply wash the liner and you won't need to wash your sleeping bag as often. This helps to reduce the wear and tear of washing on your sleeping bag, which can decrease its loft over time. Liners are especially useful if you are camping in colder weather, as they add extra warmth without the need for an extra sleeping bag.
In addition to using a bag liner, there are other ways to keep your sleeping bag clean while camping. It is recommended to sleep in clean clothes, as body oils, sweat and dirt can reduce the insulating power of your sleeping bag. A knit cap or clean bandana can also keep oily hair off the bag's hood. If you've been cooking, change your clothes before getting into your sleeping bag, especially if you're in an area with wildlife, as you don't want your bag to absorb cooking odours that might attract bears.
Finally, always remember to air out your bag and make sure it's completely dry before storing it. Body oils and other residues will stay on the fabric of your sleeping bag if it's packed away without a good wash first.
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Air out your bag to dry it
Airing out your sleeping bag is an important step in keeping it clean and dry. This is especially important if your bag gets damp during your camping trip. By airing it out, you can prevent the buildup of moisture, which can lead to mildew and mould.
When you return home from your trip, unzip the bag and hang it up or lay it out to air dry. Make sure the bag is completely dry before storing it. Do not store your bag compressed in its stuff sack, as this can damage the fill and insulation. Instead, store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a large pillowcase, or a specially-made cotton bag. You can also let it loft for a few days before using it again, allowing it to fully air out and freshen up.
If your bag has gotten damp during your trip, try to air it out as soon as possible. Find a dry spot, unzip the bag, and hang it up or lay it out to dry. If you're still on your trip, you can also try to find a sunny spot to help speed up the drying process.
In addition to airing out your bag, you can also take preventative measures to keep it dry. When camping, avoid jumping around or standing inside your sleeping bag, as this can strain the fabric and seams. Also, consider using a sleeping bag liner, which acts as a barrier between your skin and the bag, keeping it cleaner and drier.
By following these tips, you can effectively air out your sleeping bag and keep it in good condition for future use.
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Frequently asked questions
If your sleeping bag is darkened with grime or is losing its fluffiness, it's time to wash it. The buildup of body oils, sweat, dirt, and sunscreen can migrate into the fill over time, compromising the bag's loft and warmth.
You don't need to wash your bag after every trip, but it's a good idea to launder it at least once a year. If you're using your bag more frequently, you may want to wash it more than once a year. It's also a good idea to wash it before storing it for an extended period.
You can hand wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, but this is very labor-intensive. Alternatively, you can use a commercial-size washer and dryer at a laundromat. Avoid top-loading washers with agitator columns as your bag could get damaged. Use a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down and synthetic-filled items. Do not dry clean your sleeping bag as this can strip the natural oils from the down.
