Evie Summers
Sleeping bags are a great way to stay warm and cosy when camping, but they need to be kept clean and dry to ensure they last for years to come. Washing a sleeping bag can be a laborious task, but drying it properly is equally important. The best method for drying a sleeping bag depends on the bag's material, available equipment, and time constraints. This article will explore various ways to dry a sleeping bag, including machine drying, air drying, and the use of dryer balls.
Characteristics of the best way to dry a sleeping bag
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dryer temperature | Low heat |
| Air-dry location | Area with low humidity and no direct sunlight |
| Air-dry position | Laid flat on a clean surface or hung up |
| Air-dry precautions | Distribute weight to avoid putting stress on the nylon fabric |
| Dryer aids | 2-5 tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks |
| Dryer type | Commercial-size dryer or home dryer |
| Dryer settings | Delicates or fluff |
| Dryer time | At least one hour |
| Dryer precautions | Avoid dryer sheets |
| Cleaning frequency | Once a year minimum |
| Cleaning method | Hand wash or machine wash |
| Cleaning aids | Soap or detergent specifically formulated for down or synthetics |
| Cleaning precautions | Avoid fabric softener, bleach, and top-loading machines with agitators |
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Air drying
It is essential to ensure that your bag is thoroughly dry before storing it to prevent mildew from forming. You can lay it out or hang it up overnight to be sure. When travelling, it is recommended to carry your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack to protect it from rain. If you don't have a waterproof stuff sack, you can line a regular stuff sack or your backpack with a plastic garbage bag and then place the sleeping bag inside.
If you are air drying your sleeping bag at home, it is recommended to unzip the bag and air it out to make sure it is completely dry before storing it. You can then store it loosely in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, a large pillowcase, or a cotton bag that you sew yourself. It is important to avoid storing your bag compressed in its stuff sack, as this will eventually damage the fill.
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Machine drying
Firstly, ensure your sleeping bag is suitable for machine drying. Most sleeping bags can be machine-dried, but it is important to check the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. Some materials may require special considerations or alternative drying methods.
Before placing your sleeping bag in the dryer, gently squeeze out as much excess water as possible. It is important to be gentle and avoid wringing or twisting the fabric to prevent strain and potential damage to the seams.
When using a dryer, always opt for a large commercial dryer if available. Sleeping bags need room to tumble and loft, and a larger dryer will provide sufficient space for the bag to circulate properly. If using a home dryer, ensure it is a front-loading machine without an agitator. Top-loading machines with agitators can strain and rip the seams of the sleeping bag.
Set the dryer to the lowest heat setting. High heat can damage the delicate fabrics of your sleeping bag, and may even cause melting in certain synthetic materials. It is better to dry on low heat for a longer period than to use high heat for quicker drying.
To help restore the loft of the sleeping bag and prevent clumping, add two to four tennis balls or specialised dryer balls to the dryer. For synthetic bags, tennis balls are optional but can still be beneficial. The balls will bounce around the dryer, gently breaking up any clumps of insulation and improving air circulation.
Run the dryer for at least an hour, but expect the process to take longer, especially for down sleeping bags. Check the bag periodically to ensure it is drying evenly and that the seams, zippers, and drawcords are in good condition. If the bag is still damp, continue drying in short cycles until completely dry.
Finally, remove the sleeping bag from the dryer and allow it to air out for 24 to 48 hours before storing it. It is crucial to ensure the bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag to prevent the growth of mildew and unpleasant odours.
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Drying with tennis balls
Drying a sleeping bag can be a tricky task, as you don't want to damage the bag or its insulating power. If you're using a tumble dryer, it's best to dry on a low heat for a longer time rather than a high heat for a shorter time. For down sleeping bags, adding two to three tennis balls can help to agitate the fill back to its original loft. The balls help to break up clumps of down and speed up the drying process.
Tennis balls can be added to the tumble dryer to preserve the loft of down-filled sleeping bags. The tennis balls bounce around the dryer, knocking into the bag and helping to separate the down clusters. This prevents the down from clumping together and speeds up the drying process. Tennis balls can also be used to dry synthetic sleeping bags, but this is optional as synthetic bags dry faster than down bags.
When drying a sleeping bag with tennis balls, it is important to ensure that the bag is almost completely dry before adding the tennis balls. This is because the tennis balls can get stuck in any remaining moisture and potentially tear the fabric. It is also important to use a low heat setting when drying a sleeping bag with tennis balls, as high heat can damage the delicate fabric.
Some people prefer to use "dryer balls" instead of tennis balls. Dryer balls are similar in size and weight to tennis balls but have small spikes all over the surface, which helps to break up down clumps more effectively. However, even with dryer balls, it is still necessary to go over the bag by hand and break up any remaining clumps.
It is worth noting that some companies, such as MontBell, recommend against using tennis balls to dry sleeping bags. Instead, they suggest drying the bag at the lowest possible temperature and removing it from the dryer as soon as it is done to prevent the fabric from melting. Any remaining clumps of down can be broken up by hand.
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Hand washing
To hand wash your sleeping bag, start by filling a bathtub with 4-5 inches of lukewarm water. Turn the bag inside out and close all zippers. Add a soap specifically formulated for the type of sleeping bag you have: down or synthetic. Avoid using standard laundry detergent, as this can lead to clumping, reduced loft, or residue. For down bags, use a mild soap such as Grangers Down Wash or Nikwax Down Wash Direct. For synthetic bags, a technical cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Down Performance Wash is recommended.
Once you've added the soap, gently work it into the bag, paying extra attention to heavily soiled areas. Allow the bag to soak for up to an hour, then drain the tub and gently press out any remaining water. Refill the tub with clean water to rinse the bag, gently working out the soap. Let the bag sit for about 15 minutes, then drain and press out the water again. Repeat the rinsing process until all soap residue is removed.
After rinsing, gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Be careful not to pick up a down sleeping bag when it's full of water, as this can cause tearing or shifting of the down. Carry the bag to a dryer by working your hands underneath and gathering it up in your arms. If you don't have access to a dryer, you can lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight, or hang it up to dry.
If you're using a tumble dryer, dry the bag on low heat for at least an hour. Adding 2-3 tennis balls or dryer balls can help speed up the process by breaking up clumps and restoring loft. If you're air-drying the bag, it may take a couple of days to fully dry. Make sure to lay it flat to avoid straining and ripping the seams.
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Dry cleaning
While dry cleaning is often a convenient option for many fabrics, it is not recommended for sleeping bags. The solvents used in dry cleaning can strip the natural oils from the down filling, which are necessary for it to retain its loft. This will reduce the bag's insulating properties, leaving you colder during your outdoor adventures.
If your sleeping bag is made of synthetic materials, dry cleaning is still not recommended. Synthetic bags are designed to insulate even when damp, so they do not need to be professionally dry-cleaned.
Instead of dry cleaning, it is recommended that you wash your sleeping bag either by hand or in a machine. If you are using a machine, opt for a front-loading washer, as the mechanical action of a top-loading machine can be too rough on the ultralight fabrics and baffle seams of a sleeping bag. If you do use a top-loading machine, ensure it does not have an agitator column, as your bag could become entangled and damaged.
When it comes to drying your sleeping bag, tumble drying is generally recommended over air drying. The tumbling action helps prevent the feathers from clumping up and sticking together, which would reduce the bag's performance. If you do opt for air drying, ensure the bag is thoroughly dry before storing it, as mildew can develop and is very difficult to remove.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to dry a sleeping bag is to use a dryer on a low heat setting for at least an hour. To speed up the process, you can add 2-3 tennis balls or thick rolled-up socks to the dryer to help break up clumps of down and re-fluff the sleeping bag.
It takes a minimum of one hour to dry a sleeping bag. Synthetic sleeping bags will dry faster than down sleeping bags.
Yes, you can air dry a sleeping bag. Lay the bag flat on a clean surface in an area with low humidity and no direct sunlight. You can also hang it up to dry, but be careful not to put too much stress on the nylon fabric.
It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag at least once a year, or more frequently if you use it often. It is important to dry your sleeping bag thoroughly after washing to prevent mildew from forming.
