![]() ![]() 3) Wash off before getting in your sleeping bagĪ little body scrub with soap or without can do a lot for keeping dirt and oil from your bag. Many backpackers carry a dedicated pair of clean clothes to sleep in they wear like pajamas. We like the Sea to Summit Thermolite Reactor or Thermolite Reactor Extreme. You can wash your sleeping bag liner as often as after every trip, which means you'll be sleeping against a clean “sheet” and it'll keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean, too. Your sleeping bag liner can be washed in a washing machine with normal detergent (just don't use fabric softener). It’s the best and easiest thing you can do to protect your bag. It keeps your bag safe from smoke residual from a campfire that could be on your clothes or hair. It keeps your sleeping bag from directly contacting dirt and oil from your skin. When it’s done in the dryer, find a dry place to airloft overnight or several days until it is completely dry.Ī sleeping bag liner functions like sheets on a bed. Be patient and bring a book or a good TV show to watch on your phone as the drying process can easily take 3-4 hours.Īirloft. ![]() Repeat this process until there are no clumps left. Then put it back in the dryer for more time. Your bag will often look dry before the inside parts are completely dry. When your bag looks dry, pull it out and manually break up clumps of down. Set the temperature on your dryer for very low or better yet, air dry. This sounds unorthodox, but they prevent down clumps from forming and reduce drying time. Throw a dry clean tennis ball or dryer balls in the dryer. They can also indicate hot spots in the dryer that could melt your sleeping bag.īreak up clumps. These can tear your sleeping bag's delicate outer material. Find one with a no heat setting.Ĭheck the inside of the dryer for nicks and burrs or sharp objects. If you’re at a laundromat, choose the biggest one you can. I use a laundry bucket to reduce stress on the fabric. Lift your bag using both hands and carry it to a dryer. Do not ring your bag as it can cause the down to clump, which is harder to dry. Instead, drain the tub with your bag still in it. If there are still soap bubbles, do it again. It can take more than 5 rinses until you have clean water. Rinse the sleeping bag until the water runs clean. If you flip the bag over, use both hands to prevent ripping. Move slowly and get your section drenched until air is released from the baffle.Īs your sleeping bag fills with water, it’s going to feel heavier. When this happens, quick movement can pop the baffle's stitching. This process takes longer if your bag has waterproof down or has recently been treated with Durable Water Repellent.īe careful if a baffle becomes inflated with air. Bit by bit, knead soapy water through each portion. Slowly pull the sleeping bag from the stuff sack. Once your bag is in a stuff sack, put the whole stuff sack in the lukewarm water. Here’s a safe and damage-free way to wash your bag yourself.Īlways check the sleeping bag manufacturer's washing instructions before you begin washing. Washing sleeping bags can be intimidating because they’re made of fragile materials-that’s true for sleeping bags made of down or synthetic materials. If you’ve used your down sleeping bag or quilt for a season or two, you’ll want to restore its warmth by giving it a wash. Down gear like sleeping bags and jackets can even last a decade or more-as long as you take the time to clean it.ĭirt and oils prevent down from lofting, which is what makes it a great insulator. Similar directions will work for washing a synthetic sleeping bag, too. We’ve got a whole article dedicated to washing down jackets, so check that out if you’re washing apparel.ĭown is a great insulator for a sleeping bag because it is warm, light, and packable. This same process works for any down outdoor item, including down jackets, pants, and quilts. ![]() In this article, I'm going to show you how to wash a down sleeping bag-whether that’s your ultralight backpacking sleeping bag or quilt or a fluffy, comfy camping sleeping bag. A clean sleeping bag will smell better and feel warmer-just like your sleeping bag felt when you first bought it. If your old sleeping bag is not feeling as warm as it did when it was new, you don't need to replace it-just give it a wash. ![]()
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