For nature and camping lovers, choosing a good sleeping bag is essential to spend the night protected and comfortable in a tent, a shelter or outdoors (bivouac).With each use, the bag gets dirty, filled with moisture and bad smell. But there are many who, upon returning from their excursions, put it directly in the closet without worrying about whether it needs to be washed.
Synthetic sleeping bags are a great choice for your outdoor adventures—they’re cozy and budget-friendly. But to keep them in top shape, regular cleaning and maintenance are key. Read on to discover the best way to wash your synthetic sleeping bag.After a camping trip, it's important to clean your sleeping bag before storing it, so it's fresh and ready for your next adventure.
Because here we will give you the keys to washing your down or synthetic fiber sleeping bag. We will also tell you different ways to dry it and some good extra tips so that your sleeping companion is always ready for a new adventure.If your sleeping bag is starting to look grimy or, even worse, is losing its fluffiness, it’s definitely time for a thorough wash. Over time, body oils and dirt can seep into the fill—whether it’s down or synthetic—and start to affect your bag’s loft and warmth.
How often should I wash my sleeping bag?
There's no need to wash your bag after every trip but it's a good idea to launder it once a year, at a minimum. If you're using your bag more frequently, you may want to wash it more often than annually. A good time to wash your bag is before you store it at the end of the season or for an extended period of time. Body oils and other greasy residues will stay on fabrics and fibers if the bag is packed away in storage without a good wash first.
General cleaning tips:
- Avoid dry cleaning: The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils of down (the oils that help down retain its loft).
- Keep your bag cleaner in camp: You can make your sleeping bag last longer and stay cleaner if you also take care of it while at camp. Prevent dirt buildup by using a bag liner, sleeping in clean clothes and airing out your bag to dry it whenever it gets damp
HANDWASHING YOUR SLEEPING BAG
- Fill your bath to a depth of 150 mm of warm water and add a pure, mild soap, detergent or Granger's Performance Wash.
- Place your bag into the tub and gently massage the water into the bag by adding pressure from above with your open hands until the bag is saturated. When your bag is laden with water, do not attempt to lift it out.
- Leave to soak for 1-4 hours, depending on how dirty your bag is.
- Drain the water and then add fresh water, and massage the water into the bag again. Repeat this process until no suds are visible in the water.
- Press the water out of the bag and express as much water as possible.
- Fold the ends of the semi-dry bag in towards its centre and press firmly until water is expelled.
DRYING YOUR SLEEPING BAG
- First, air-dry your sleeping bag, by laying it out flat on towels over two portable clothes racks.
- Once all the excess water has been released, you can tumble-dry your sleeping bag on a low temperature setting. Please note that excess heat can melt the fabric.
- Dry in a shaded area out of direct sunlight, as excessive exposure to UV will degrade the nylon shell fabric. A hot dry windy day provides the perfect conditions for air-drying your sleeping bag.
How to Wash a Synthetic Sleeping Bag
Do not dry clean your synthetic sleeping bag, follow specific washing instructions on the label of your sleeping bag. Most synthetic sleeping bags can me hand washed or machine washed. Avoid bleaching and ironing as these will damage the sleeping bag.
How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag
Down sleeping bags are constructed with an internal baffle system, filled with loft to provide adequate insulation by holding the down in sections. Do not dry clean your down sleeping bag, follow specific washing instructions on the label of your sleeping bag. Avoid bleaching and ironing as these will damage the sleeping bag.
How to Dry Your Sleeping Bag
Synthetic sleeping bags will dry a lot quicker than down sleeping bags. Expect a synthetic bag to take at least an hour; a down bag will take several hours to dry thoroughly. Insulation loft is key to keeping warm. Both down and synthetic fills need to fluff up (loft) to create small air spaces within the insulation. These spaces trap body heat to help you stay warm while you sleep.
Here are some tips for drying a down or synthetic sleeping bag:
- Use a commercial-size dryer, if possible. Commercial dryers have larger capacities that allow fully lofted sleeping bags to tumble. If you don't have access to a laundromat, use a home dryer.
- Set the dryer on low heat. High heat can melt delicate nylon fabrics. It's better to dry on low heat for a longer time than blast it with high heat to speed up the drying process.
- For down sleeping bags, add two to three tennis balls to help agitate the fill back to the original loft. The balls help break up clumps of down to speed the drying process. For synthetic bags, tennis balls are helpful but optional.
- Run as many cycles as needed to completely dry the bag. Let it run for at least an hour but likely longer.
- Other drying methods: Though it will take longer, 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 you can hang it up to dry; be careful to distribute the weight to not put too much stress on the nylon fabric.
- Extra drying: To be sure your bag is thoroughly dry before placing it in its storage bag, lay it out or hang it up overnight.
Spot Cleaning Your Bag
Because the interior lining at your bag's head and foot areas tends to get extra dirty, you should consider spot cleaning those areas prior to washing the entire bag. (And sometimes all your bag needs is a little TLC, not a full-blown bath.) The spot cleaning process is simple:
- Apply a small amount of mild soap (the same cleaner you'd use to wash the entire bag) to the spot you're cleaning.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently clean the shell.
- Rinse using a wet sponge.
Tip: Hold the shell or liner fabric away from the insulation so that you can wash and rinse the outer shell without getting the inner fill wet. If the fill does get wet, then give it plenty of time to dry before storing your bag.
FAQs
Can I wash my synthetic sleeping bag at home?
Yes, you can! Most synthetic sleeping bags are designed to be washed at home. Just make sure to follow the care instructions on the label.
What kind of detergent should I use?
Use a mild, non-detergent soap or a special cleaner made for outdoor gear. Avoid regular laundry detergent as it can damage the insulation.
Should I wash it in a washing machine or by hand?
You can do either, but using a front-loading washing machine is usually easier. If you decide to wash it by hand, use a bathtub or a large sink.
What water temperature is best?
Use cold or lukewarm water. Hot water can damage the synthetic fibers and the insulation.
How should I dry my sleeping bag?
Tumble dry on low heat with a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help fluff up the insulation. It can take a few hours to dry completely. Avoid high heat as it can melt the synthetic fibers.
Can I air dry my sleeping bag instead?
Yes, but it will take longer. Hang it in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. Make sure it’s completely dry before storing it.
How often should I wash my synthetic sleeping bag?
You don’t need to wash it after every use. Only wash it when it’s dirty or after several trips. Washing too often can wear out the insulation faster.
Is there anything I should do before washing it?
Zip up the bag and turn it inside out. This helps protect the outer fabric and the zipper during washing.
Can I use fabric softener?
No, avoid using fabric softeners. They can coat the fibers and reduce the bag’s insulation properties.
How should I store my sleeping bag after washing?
Store it loosely in a large, breathable storage sack or hang it in a cool, dry place. Avoid compressing it in a stuff sack for long-term storage, as this can damage the insulation.