1. How do you wash a sleeping bag?

Your sleeping bag is an important piece of outdoor adventure gear and can make or break a comfortable night under the stars or a memorable one, but not because you had a good time. That's why it's so important to take good care of your sleeping bag.

Generally speaking, the less you wash it, the better. Washing your sleeping bag is wear and tear and can even reduce its insulating properties. Still, if it's used frequently and is very dirty, washing it is the best option. If it's a down-filled sleeping bag that's been used a lot over a long period of time, washing it can actually help restore its insulating and overall properties.

If you're looking to clean some of the dirt off your bag, we recommend cleaning the most visible stains first, rather than washing the entire bag.

2. How do you clean stains off a sleeping bag?

Sometimes all your bag needs is a little TLC.

• Apply a small amount of non-detergent liquid soap with warm water.
• Use a damp cloth or an old toothbrush to gently clean the outside of the fabric.
• Rinse away any soap residue with a damp sponge.
• Hang it up to dry.
• Make sure it has dried thoroughly before putting it back in the bag.

Important: The hood and collar are areas where oil from hair and skin tends to accumulate. It is recommended to gently clean these areas, avoiding getting the filling wet. You can try separating the outer fabric or lining from the insulating filling.

3. How do you wash a synthetic sleeping bag?

• Synthetic-filled bags are easier to maintain than down-filled bags.
• Read the care label carefully beforehand and follow the specific instructions for your bag.
• You can take your synthetic sleeping bag to a dry cleaner for professional cleaning.
• As a rule, winter bags, which are usually larger, need a load capacity of more than 6 kg.
• On the other hand, lighter bags, which are used in one or two seasons, can be washed in smaller washing machines.

3.1. How to wash a synthetic sleeping bag in the washing machine?

Before washing your sleeping bag at home, check that it is not torn or ripped anywhere, because any damage can be made worse in the washing machine. If you find any, repair it before washing it. Sewing it may be enough. As with all synthetic garments, a synthetic sleeping bag can be washed at a low temperature.

• Make sure the washing machine is clean (run a rinse programme first to be sure).
• Close all zips and Velcro fasteners properly, release all cords and then turn the bag inside out.
• Use a non-biological detergent or, better yet, a technical one.
• Set the washing machine to a delicate wash programme at a low temperature (around 30°).
• Set several rinse cycles to remove any soap residue.
• Use a low-speed spin programme, between 400 and 600 rpm.

Important: Do not use fabric softener, as this can clog the pores of the fabric and destroy the water-repellent properties.

Avoid taking your synthetic sleeping bag to a standard dry cleaner.

3.2. How to hand wash a synthetic sleeping bag?

If your washing machine is not big enough, you may want to consider hand washing your synthetic sleeping bag.

• Check for any tears, close any zippers etc., and turn the bag inside out.
• Wash it in a large tub or basin, using a technical or mild detergent and warm water.
• Rinse it several times to remove any soap residue.
• Carefully remove the bag from the tub.
• If possible, put it in the washing machine on a low-temperature spin cycle.
• Hang it to dry, spreading it out well to distribute the weight.

Important: Do not press or wring the bag while washing it. Simply rubbing or “massaging” the soap in slowly will clean it thoroughly.

4. How do you wash a down sleeping bag?

Down-filled sleeping bags require more attention, due to the natural composition of the feathers. If you're intimidated by washing your high-performance sleeping bag, you can send it to a professional dry cleaner who specializes in outdoor products. If you decide to wash it at home, you can do so in the washing machine or by hand.

4.1. How to wash a down sleeping bag in the washing machine?

Once you have checked the general condition of your down sleeping bag and made sure it is in good condition, you can wash it in your home washing machine. Make sure your washing machine can accommodate the capacity needed to fit the bag in. You can also use a professional washing machine from a laundromat. Winter down sleeping bags will most likely be too large to fit in a home washing machine. But if yours is a light summer one, you can do the following:

• Close all zippers and velcros tightly, release all cords, and then turn the bag inside out.
• Make sure the washing machine is clean by setting a rinse program before you start.
• Carefully place the bag in the drum and set a 30° program with a functional wash specific for down.

Set at least two spin cycles to remove all traces of soap. When removing the bag from the washing machine, place it on a towel and carefully remove it from the drum, little by little, so as not to stretch the outer fabric or the lining too much. Before drying, carefully wring out any excess moisture.

4.2. How to hand wash a down sleeping bag?

Many advise washing down sleeping bags by hand only to ensure that they are treated with care.

• It is best to place them in a bathtub with warm water (around 30°) and a technical detergent specific for down.
• Prepare the bag well before washing it (see information in previous sections).
• Gently rub it with your hands, as if you were massaging soap, or leave it to soak.
• Do not wring it out or press it hard, as this can damage the feathers and internal chambers.
• Rinse it several times to remove any residue.
• Important: When you take it out of the bathtub, the bag will be very heavy because the down has soaked through. Try to rest it on a towel, as if you were going to pick it up, to avoid stretching the fabric and tearing it.

5. Can I put my sleeping bag in the dryer?

Yes. That's the short answer. If it's a down bag, this is the best way to loosen the down and air out the spaces between the feathers. Use a front-loading dryer or a commercial dryer (at a laundromat) with a cold synthetic setting.

You can also let the bag air dry by spreading it out flat on a surface or hanging it so the fabric doesn't stretch or strain. But drying it this way takes longer and you'll have to keep an eye on it to fluff it from time to time.

6. Tips

Synthetic sleeping bags dry faster in the dryer than down sleeping bags, within an hour or so. Down sleeping bags, however, can take eight hours or more to dry completely.

• It's best to use a front-loading dryer or a commercial dryer (at a laundromat) on a cold synthetic setting.
• To ensure the filling unfolds properly and regains its structure, try placing two or three tennis balls in a bag to shake it around during the drying program. This technique is especially effective with down fillings and can also be used with down jackets.
• Stop the dryer every 20-30 minutes, take the bag out and shake it gently to loosen the filling.
• Don't try to take it out of the dryer too soon. The outer fabric may be dry, but the feathers or synthetic filling are likely still damp. It's very important to get everything completely dry.

6.1. How to prevent bad smells in your sleeping bag

• Using a sleeping bag liner, such as cotton or silk, is a good way to keep your bag cleaner and avoid having to wash it more often.
• In addition, the liner will reduce the amount of sweat and possible odors that form inside the bag. You can wash the liner as often as you like.
• Airing out your sleeping bag after each use is a good way to keep it fresher.
• Also, getting into it with only clean clothes also helps keep it cleaner.