Evie Summers
Knowing how to store a sleeping bag is essential to maintaining its quality and ensuring a comfortable night's sleep. Incorrectly storing a sleeping bag can lead to damage and a loss of insulating properties, resulting in a cold night's sleep. Therefore, it is crucial to keep the bag clean, dry, uncompressed, and aired out. This can be achieved by hanging the bag in a dry, well-ventilated area or storing it loosely in a large cotton or mesh sack in a cool, dry place. Additionally, periodic washing of the sleeping bag is recommended to remove natural body oils, sweat, dirt, and grime that can accumulate over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning | Wash by hand or use a front-loading machine with down-specific soap. |
| Drying | Air dry or use a commercial dryer on low heat with tennis balls to break up clumps. |
| Storage bag type | Breathable mesh or cotton bag. |
| Storage location | Cool, dry, well-ventilated area, such as a closet or cupboard. |
| Storage state | Uncompressed, loose, and lofted to maintain insulating properties. |
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What You'll Learn
Hanging your sleeping bag
When hanging your sleeping bag to store it, choose a dry, well-ventilated space. Avoid hanging it in damp basements, unheated spaces like garages, or humid areas, as these can damage the bag. If hanging your bag indoors, a closet or cupboard is ideal. If you're hanging your bag outdoors, make sure it's in a covered space, as direct sunlight can weaken the fabric and rain will get the bag wet.
To hang your sleeping bag, use a hook or a hanger. Some sleeping bags have attached loops specifically for this purpose. If your bag doesn't have a loop, you can use a standard clothes hanger. Make sure the hanger is large enough to support the bag without causing creases or compression.
Before hanging your sleeping bag for storage, it's important to make sure it's clean and completely dry. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation, compromising performance and potentially affecting your health. Wash your bag by hand or, if machine washing, use a front-loading washer and a down-specific soap. After washing, dry your bag on a low heat setting and toss in a few clean tennis balls to help fluff up the fill. Once your bag is dry, hang it up in your chosen storage spot for at least 4 to 6 hours to air it out before preparing it for long-term storage.
In addition to hanging, you can also use a large cotton or mesh storage bag to keep your sleeping bag loose and breathable while stored. These bags are often supplied with the purchase of a sleeping bag, but you can also buy them separately.
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Using a breathable mesh or cotton storage bag
When storing your sleeping bag, it is important to keep it clean, dry, uncompressed, and aired out. This will ensure that your sleeping bag stays in good condition and maintains its insulating properties.
One option for storing your sleeping bag is to use a breathable mesh or cotton storage bag. This type of bag allows air to circulate, preventing moisture buildup and odours. It also helps to keep the bag clean and protected from dirt and dust.
Breathable mesh storage bags typically have a durable nylon or polyester bottom to protect the sleeping bag from moisture and dirt. They are designed to be roomy, allowing the sleeping bag to loft and maintain its temperature rating. Mesh storage bags are often lightweight and collapsible, making them easy to store when not in use.
Cotton storage bags are another popular option for storing sleeping bags. Cotton is a natural, breathable fabric that allows air to circulate while keeping the bag contained and uncompressed. This helps to maintain the loft of the sleeping bag, which is crucial for its insulating properties. Cotton storage bags are often oversized to accommodate the bulk of a sleeping bag while still allowing it to breathe.
When choosing a mesh or cotton storage bag for your sleeping bag, consider the size and weight of your sleeping bag, and select a bag that is roomy enough to accommodate it comfortably. Look for features such as a drawstring closure to keep the bag securely closed and a sturdy bottom to protect the bag from moisture and dirt.
By using a breathable mesh or cotton storage bag, you can help extend the life of your sleeping bag and ensure that it stays warm and comfortable for your future adventures.
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Keeping it dry
A dry sleeping bag is a warm sleeping bag. Moisture accumulation on your sleeping bag is sometimes unavoidable, but there are several ways to keep it dry. Firstly, when storing your sleeping bag, ensure it is in a cool, dry place. If you are storing your bag for a long time, it is best kept in a large cotton or mesh bag, which will allow it to breathe. Do not store it in its stuff sack, as this will compress the bag and may damage the fill over time.
If your sleeping bag does get wet, hang it out to dry in a dry, well-ventilated area. If you are in a windy area, this will help to speed up the drying process. If you are camping, you can hang your bag inside your tent, but be sure to open the windows and doors to allow airflow. If you are backpacking, you can use a liner, such as a trash compactor bag, to protect your sleeping bag from the rain.
To prevent your bag from getting damp when in use, consider reapplying a durable water repellent (DWR) finish to the shell fabric. You can also use a bivy sack or bag cover to protect your sleeping bag from rain and morning dew.
Finally, to prevent your bag from becoming damp when not in use, ensure it is thoroughly cleaned and completely dry before storing. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising performance.
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Cleaning your sleeping bag
To keep your sleeping bag in good condition, it's important to clean it before storing it. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising performance and reducing the bag's efficacy, so it's recommended to do a spot-clean after every trip.
First, wipe away any dirt or debris from the exterior of the sleeping bag with a soft toothbrush or slightly damp cloth. Next, turn the bag inside out and use a dedicated technical soap to spot-clean any stains or marks. You can make a paste with a little non-detergent soap and water and gently clean the shell, focusing on areas like the hood and collar where hair and skin oils tend to build up. Rinse the area without getting the inside fill wet.
If your sleeping bag is very dirty, you may need to give it a full wash. Check the manufacturer's washing instructions, which should be printed on a tag, draft tube, or elsewhere on the bag. If you're machine washing, use a front-loading, laundromat-style washer, and a gentle, non-detergent soap made for washing down- and synthetic-filled items. You can also wash your sleeping bag by hand. Soak it in a clean bucket with warm water and the appropriate cleaner, agitate it to get the air out, and leave it for 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
Avoid dry cleaning your sleeping bag, as the solvents used can strip the natural oils from down fillings, and do not use a top-loading machine with an agitator, as this can tear the bag and damage zippers. When drying your sleeping bag, use a low heat setting and check it frequently to avoid damage. You can also air dry your sleeping bag, which will take around two to three hours for synthetic fillings and a little longer for down. To speed up the drying process, you can use a fan or dehumidifier, or toss in a few clean tennis balls to help fluff up the fill.
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Avoiding compression
To avoid compressing your sleeping bag, it's important to follow a few key steps. Firstly, always extract your sleeping bag from its stuff sack when storing it at home. The stuff sack is designed for transportation, not long-term storage, as it can compress the bag and damage the insulating fibres. Instead, you should store your sleeping bag in a large, breathable cotton or mesh sack. These storage sacks are typically included with the purchase of a sleeping bag and are ideal for maintaining the bag's loft and warmth. If your sleeping bag didn't come with a large storage bag, you can use a king-size pillowcase or purchase a cotton or mesh sack (90L is a good size).
Secondly, ensure that your sleeping bag is thoroughly cleaned and dried before storing it. Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate on the insulation fibres, compromising performance and warmth. It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag periodically, and always hang it up to air dry completely before storing it. When drying, use a low heat setting and check frequently to avoid damage from heat or twisting. Additionally, tossing in a few clean tennis balls can help fluff up the fill and dry the bag uniformly.
Thirdly, choose a storage location that is cool, dry, and well-ventilated. Avoid damp basements, unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics, and car trunks, as moisture and temperature extremes can damage the bag. A shelf in a closet, a storage rack, or hanging it over a hook in a dry room are all great spots to store your sleeping bag. If you're short on space, you can lay the sleeping bag flat somewhere in your home where it won't get stepped on or abused.
Finally, when placing the bag into the storage sack, slowly feed the sleeping bag into the sack and shake it out to allow maximum loft. This will help maintain the insulating properties of the bag and ensure a comfortable night's sleep. By following these steps, you can effectively avoid compressing your sleeping bag and keep it in top condition for many years.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to store your sleeping bag is to hang it in a well-ventilated, dry, temperature-controlled cupboard or closet. If you don't have enough space, you can store it inside a large, breathable cotton or mesh storage bag.
You should use a large, breathable cotton or mesh storage bag to store your sleeping bag. You can also use a king-size pillowcase or a laundry bag.
Before storing your sleeping bag, it's important to give it a thorough cleaning. You can spot-clean your bag after every trip by wiping away any dirt or debris from the exterior with a soft toothbrush or a slightly damp cloth. Then, turn your bag inside out and use a dedicated technical soap to spot-clean any stains or dirt marks. Once your bag is clean, hang it up to air dry completely.
Yes, there are a few common mistakes to avoid when storing your sleeping bag. Firstly, do not store your sleeping bag in a compressed stuff sack for long periods, as this can damage the insulation. Secondly, avoid storing your bag in damp basements, unheated or uncooled spaces like garages and attics, or car trunks, as moisture and temperature extremes are hard on the bag. Lastly, avoid dry cleaning or machine washing your sleeping bag in a top-loading washing machine, as this can tear the bag and damage the zippers.
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