Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags are a great investment for camping trips, but they require proper care and maintenance to ensure they last a long time. Field and Stream sleeping bags, in particular, are popular for their insulation and lightweight material. However, with frequent use, they can accumulate dirt, body oils, sweat, and grime, which can decrease the bag's insulation and cause odours and microbes that weaken the fabric. Therefore, it is essential to know how to wash and care for your sleeping bag to maintain its functionality and longevity.
How to Wash a Field and Stream Sleeping Bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Not too often; once a year minimum |
| When to wash | Before storing away for an extended period or at the end of the season |
| How to prevent dirt buildup | Use a bag liner, sleep in clean clothes, and air out the bag |
| How to wash | Hand wash in bathtub, use a commercial washer at a laundromat, or wash in a front-loading machine at home |
| Type of soap to use | Mild soap or specially formulated down soap |
| Drying | Use a dryer on low heat, air dry by laying flat or hanging up |
| Additional items | Add 2-3 tennis balls to the dryer to speed up the drying process and restore fluffiness |
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What You'll Learn
Use a sleeping bag liner
Using a sleeping bag liner is a great way to keep the inside of your bag clean. Liners are made from materials that can be easily washed in a washing machine, and they help to keep the bag cleaner for longer by picking up dirt and body oils while you sleep. This means you won't have to wash your sleeping bag as frequently. Liners can also add extra warmth to your sleeping bag, making them especially useful for cold nights.
If you're camping in warmer weather, a liner can help cut down on the amount of sweat and sunscreen that gets inside your sleeping bag. They are usually made from lightweight, stretch-knit materials, so you won't feel constricted as you sleep. Liners with openings at the shoulders can give you a little more room to slip into the liner, and some even have a drawcord footbox that allows you to hitch the liner up and walk around camp without having to get out of your liner.
When choosing a liner, consider the temperature rating of your sleeping bag and the climate you'll be camping in. A liner can add several degrees of warmth to your bag, so if you're camping in cold conditions, a thermal liner could be a good option. If you're using a liner as a stand-alone bag outdoors, be aware that the knit fabric allows air to pass through easily, so you may need something to cover the bag to prevent heat loss.
To wash your liner, simply machine wash it in cold to warm water using a gentle or delicate cycle. Avoid using fabric softeners, as these can compromise the wicking ability of the liner. Air-drying is preferable for all liners, especially silk liners, as the heat of a dryer can damage the fabric.
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Wash by hand
Washing your Field and Stream sleeping bag by hand is a gentle method that is less likely to disturb the insulation or other materials.
First, check the manufacturer's recommendations for washing instructions and care advice. For down sleeping bags, use a gear wash specifically formulated for down, like Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or one that states it is safe for use on down items. Avoid using regular bleach or fabric softeners, and instead opt for a mild, non-detergent soap.
Fill your bathtub with cool or warm water, and add the appropriate amount of the chosen cleaning product. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be challenging to rinse out. Before submerging the entire bag, scrub the hood and collar region, where body oils tend to accumulate, with a small brush or sponge. An old toothbrush can be a great option for precision cleaning.
After spot cleaning, gently knead the water through the bag, carefully scrubbing the head and foot sections. Do not expect to remove every stain from the shell. Rinse the bag thoroughly with cold water, ensuring that all soap or detergent is removed. This may require running two or more rinse cycles.
Once rinsed, gently squeeze out the excess water. Avoid wringing or twisting the bag, as this can damage the fabric and insulation. Support the entire bag when lifting it from the tub to avoid straining and ripping the seams.
To dry your sleeping bag, lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. Alternatively, hang it up to dry, being careful to distribute the weight evenly to avoid putting stress on the fabric. Ensure the bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag. This may involve leaving it overnight to air dry.
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Use a washing machine
If your Field and Stream sleeping bag is in need of a wash, there are a few things to consider before you start. Firstly, check the manufacturer's recommendations for washing instructions and follow these carefully to prevent damage to the bag. If you don't have access to the manufacturer's instructions, here are some general guidelines for washing your sleeping bag in a machine.
Firstly, it's important to note that not all sleeping bags are machine washable. If you have a front-loading washing machine without an agitator, you may be able to wash your bag in the machine. If you only have access to a top-loading washer with an agitator column, it's best to avoid machine washing as your bag could become entangled and damaged. In this case, you may want to consider hand washing or taking your bag to a laundromat with commercial-size washers and dryers.
If you decide to machine wash your sleeping bag, always use a gentle, down-safe soap. Avoid using bleach, bleach alternatives, or fabric softeners as these can damage the bag. For down sleeping bags, use a mild soap or a soap specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct. For synthetic bags, you can use a mild detergent or a cleaning agent designed for synthetics.
When you're ready to wash your sleeping bag, start by spot cleaning any heavily soiled areas, such as the hood and collar region, with a gentle, non-detergent soap and a small brush or sponge. Then, set your machine to wash with warm water and be sure to use only the minimum recommended amount of cleaning agent. It's important to thoroughly rinse all soap or detergent from the bag, so you may need to run two or more rinse cycles.
Once your sleeping bag has been washed, it's time to dry it. For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to the dryer to help agitate the fill and speed up the drying process. If you don't have 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. Avoid hanging the bag to dry, as this can put too much stress on the nylon fabric. Make sure your bag is completely dry before storing it.
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Air drying
Firstly, ensure the bag is fully unzipped. If you've washed the bag in a machine, it may have become twisted, so check that it is laid out flat. If you've hand-washed the bag, drape it over something to let the water drip out before air drying.
If you're drying your bag outdoors, hang it over something like a clothesline or the top of your tent. If it's raining or snowing, you'll need to bring the bag inside to dry. Avoid hanging the bag on tree branches, as this can cause rips and tears, and you may pick up things like pine sap, which is hard to remove from the fabric.
If you're drying your bag indoors, drape it over a large item of furniture, like a table or a chair, or hang it from a clothes horse or a similar item. You can also lay the bag flat on a surface, but this may take longer. Ensure the room is well-ventilated to help speed up the drying process.
Once your bag is completely dry, you can store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a large pillowcase, or a cotton bag you've sewn yourself. Don't store your bag compressed in its stuff sack, as this will eventually damage the fill. Watertight storage bags are also a bad idea.
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Preventative maintenance
To ensure your Field and Stream sleeping bag lasts for many years, it's important to perform preventative maintenance. Here are some detailed and direct instructions to help you maintain your sleeping bag:
- Keep it Clean: Body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime can build up on your sleeping bag over time, reducing its insulating power. To prevent this, always sleep in clean clothes and use a sleeping bag liner, which can be made of cotton, silk, wool, or polyester. The liner will act as a barrier, absorbing your body's natural oils and any sweat, keeping the bag cleaner for longer.
- Air it Out: Whenever possible, air out your sleeping bag to keep it dry and fresh. Turn it inside out to dry any moisture, and hang it up when you get to camp to let it decompress and loft back up, ensuring a cozy sleep.
- Protect from Damage: Avoid jumping around or standing inside your sleeping bag, as this can damage the toe box. Be careful with zippers, as they can snag or come apart, and always unzip completely before washing. If you're sitting by a campfire, consider using an older synthetic bag to avoid burning holes in your bag.
- Reapply DWR Finish: The original durable water repellent (DWR) finish on your sleeping bag's shell will eventually wear off. You can restore water repellency and keep the bag cleaner by reapplying this finish using readily available products.
- Store Appropriately: Before storing your sleeping bag, ensure it is completely dry to prevent mold and mildew. For long-term storage, keep it in a cool, dry, dark place, in an oversized breathable sack or on a clothes hanger. Do not store it in its compression sack, as this can damage the insulation.
By following these preventative maintenance tips, you can keep your Field and Stream sleeping bag in good condition and ensure it provides you with a warm and comfortable sleep for many adventures to come.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, but if you are using your bag more frequently, you may want to wash it more often. A good time to wash your bag is before storing it at the end of the season or for an extended period of time.
First, check the manufacturer's recommendations for washing instructions and follow them carefully. If you have a front-loading washing machine, you can wash your bag in it using a mild detergent or a specialised cleaner for down sleeping bags. Avoid using bleach or fabric softeners. If you don't have access to a front-loading machine, you can hand wash your bag gently in a bathtub or send it to a professional cleaning service.
After washing, gently squeeze out the excess water from the bag. You can then either air dry it by laying it flat on a clean surface or hanging it up to dry, ensuring that the weight is distributed evenly to avoid putting stress on the fabric. Alternatively, you can use a dryer, but be sure to set it to low heat as high heat can damage the fabric. For down sleeping bags, adding two to three tennis balls to the dryer can help speed up the drying process by breaking up clumps of down.
