Herbie Murray
Sleeping bags require cleaning when they start to lose their fluffiness and become darkened with grime. This is because the buildup of body oils, sweat, dirt, and grease residues will, over time, migrate into the fill and compromise the bag's warmth and insulating power. While it is recommended that sleeping bags are washed at least once a year, this process should not be overdone as it subjects the bag to wear and tear. To avoid the potential damage caused by machine washing, some people choose to hand wash their sleeping bags in a bathtub.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often to wash | Once a year, at a minimum |
| When to wash | Before storing for an extended period |
| Where to wash | In a bathtub, or a front-loading commercial washer at a laundromat |
| Water temperature | Cool or warm |
| Cleaning product | A small amount of a product designed for down or synthetic bags, depending on your bag type |
| Additional items | For down bags, add 2-3 tennis balls to help restore loft; for synthetic bags, tennis balls are optional |
| Drying | Air dry by laying the bag flat in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up; tumble dry on low heat in a large dryer for the final stage of drying |
| Storage | Store loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack; do not store in a stuff sack or a watertight bag |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the bathtub and turn the sleeping bag inside out
To prepare the bathtub, ensure it is clean. Fill it with cool or warm water, taking care to use a temperature that is suitable for the sleeping bag material. You will only need enough water to cover the bag. Add the appropriate cleaning product for your bag type—a mild, non-detergent soap designed for down or synthetic bags. Avoid using too much soap, as it will be hard to rinse out.
Next, turn your sleeping bag inside out and place it in the tub. If your sleeping bag is made of down, be extra gentle during this process, as the thin baffles inside can tear, resulting in clumps of down.
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Use the right cleaning products
When washing your sleeping bag in a bathtub, it is important to use the right cleaning products. The type of cleaner you should use will depend on the material of your sleeping bag.
If you have a down sleeping bag, avoid using standard laundry detergent. The fillers and optical brighteners in regular detergents can stick to the filaments of the down plumes and feathers, preventing them from lofting. Instead, opt for a soap specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a mild, non-detergent soap. These soaps are very mild and will rinse out without leaving any residue. You can also use a gear wash that is specifically formulated for down.
For synthetic sleeping bags, you can use a performance wash product designed for synthetic materials. Tech Wash is a commonly used product for washing synthetic bags. You can also use a mild, non-detergent soap for synthetic bags, similar to the soaps recommended for down bags.
When washing your sleeping bag, avoid using too much soap as it will be challenging to rinse out. Additionally, never use fabric softener, bleach, or alternative bleach products as these can damage the bag.
If you are unsure about which product to use, always refer to the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. These instructions can often be found printed on the storage cell of your sleeping bag or on the manufacturer's website.
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Wash the sleeping bag
To wash your sleeping bag in a bathtub, first make sure the bathtub is clean. Then, turn the sleeping bag inside out and place it in the tub. If your sleeping bag is made of down, use a gear wash specifically formulated for down, such as Nikwax Down Wash Direct, or a mild, non-detergent soap. If your sleeping bag is synthetic, use a performance wash product for synthetics or a mild, non-detergent soap.
Fill the tub with enough warm water to cover the bag and add the recommended amount of the appropriate soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it. Be careful not to pick up the bag during this process as the weight of the water can tear out the stitching. If your sleeping bag is made of down, add two to three tennis balls to help break up clumps of down and speed up the drying process.
After kneading the bag, drain the bathtub and carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the water. Refill the tub with clean water and knead the bag again to force the clean water through it. Repeat this process until there are no more suds. Then, run your sleeping bag through the spin cycle in a front-loading washing machine to remove as much water as possible before drying.
Finally, dry your sleeping bag. If you have a dryer, you can tumble dry your sleeping bag on low heat for 60 minutes for artificial fill or 3 hours for down. 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, or by hanging it up. To speed up the drying process, unzip the bag fully and flip it often.
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Drain and squeeze out water
Once you have finished kneading the sleeping bag in the soapy water, drain the bathtub. It is important that you do not pick up the bag during this process, as the weight of the water in the insulation can tear out the baffles of a down bag or the stitching of a synthetic bag. Carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the water. After this, you can refill the tub with clean water and knead the bag again to force the clean water through it. Repeat this process until there are no more suds.
If you are using a washing machine, you can also perform an additional spin cycle to extract as much water as possible before drying. If you are air-drying your bag, be sure to lay it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up overnight. If you are using a dryer, be sure to add tennis balls to the load for the last hour to keep the down in the bag from clumping together.
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Dry the sleeping bag
Drying your sleeping bag is a crucial step in the washing process, as it ensures your bag is ready for use and storage. Here are some detailed instructions on how to dry your sleeping bag after washing it in a bathtub:
Drain and Squeeze
After washing your sleeping bag in the bathtub, drain the dirty water and carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the excess water. Be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the bag's stitching and compartments. Repeat this process until you've removed most of the soapy water.
Rinse Thoroughly
Refill the bathtub with clean water, and gently knead the sleeping bag to force the clean water through it. You can also gently tread on the bag, simulating the action of treading grapes. Continue this process until there are no more suds, and the water remains clear.
Initial Drying
Once you've removed most of the water, carefully remove the sleeping bag from the tub and lay it out on a clean surface. You can also hang it up to dry, but be cautious not to put too much stress on the fabric. Ensure the area has good ventilation and low humidity. Avoid direct sunlight during this initial drying phase.
Final Drying
For the final drying stage, you can use a dryer or air-dry the bag. If using a dryer, set it to low or no heat, and place a couple of tennis balls inside the dryer with the sleeping bag. The tennis balls help to break up clumps in the filling and speed up the drying process. Run the dryer for at least an hour, and possibly longer, depending on the bag's filling and care instructions. If air-drying, lay the bag flat on a clean surface, ensuring the area has good ventilation and low humidity. Avoid direct sunlight during this process.
Overnight Drying
To ensure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it, leave it laid out or hanging overnight. This extra drying time helps prevent mildew and ensures your bag is ready for storage.
Remember, the drying process for a sleeping bag can take a significant amount of time, so plan accordingly, and always follow the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year. If you use your bag more frequently, you may want to wash it more often.
First, make sure the bathtub is clean. Turn the sleeping bag inside out and place it in the tub. Add warm water and the recommended amount of the appropriate soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water and soap through it. After each kneading cycle, drain the bathtub and then carefully roll up the bag to squeeze out the water. Refill the tub with clean water and knead the bag to force clean water through it and continue until there are no more suds.
Avoid using conventional laundry detergents or 'active wash' products because of the harsh detergents, fillers, and brighteners they contain. Instead, use a mild, non-detergent soap that is made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items.
After washing your sleeping bag, it is important to dry it thoroughly. Run it through the spin cycle twice in the washer and then tumble dry with no heat in a dryer for at least an hour. You can also air dry your bag by laying it flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up to dry.
Yes, you can use a front-loading commercial washer and dryer at a laundromat or a front-loading washer at home. If you decide to use a machine, be sure to use a gentle cycle and avoid top-loading washers with agitators as they can damage the sleeping bag.
