Washing & Care for Bedding Equipment

Maintenance, Washing, and Care of Sleeping Gear

Your sleeping bag is undoubtedly one of your most indispensable pieces of gear, and if you love the outdoors, it’s probably used frequently. The feeling of your tired, cold body crawling into the sleeping bag, zipping it up, settling in, and immediately feeling the warmth stay and spread around you is truly unmatched! But people rarely think about all the dirt and grime they bring into the sleeping bag until it starts to look a bit worn and smells strongly of forest and campfire. But don’t worry, we’re here to help with some good advice and tips to keep your sleeping bag looking nice and clean.

 

Sleeping Bag Maintenance

The smartest thing you can do for yourself and your sleeping bag is to know how to maintain it properly. If you maintain your sleeping bag well, you can avoid having to wash it too often. This is both easier for you and better for your sleeping bag, as it doesn’t tolerate frequent washing. Washing too often damages both fibers and down, ultimately reducing the sleeping bag’s insulation ability. Often, a damp cloth or sponge can be used to remove the worst dirt and stains, avoiding the need for a full wash.

 

A common mistake many make is stuffing the sleeping bag into its small storage sack right after a trip, where it lies completely compressed and doesn’t get aired out. This only worsens odors and is also bad for the fibers and down. Make sure to air your sleeping bag thoroughly after use, and preferably store it in a storage sack or loosely so it can breathe. The compression sack is actually only meant for use during the trip.

 

A brilliant tip for maintaining sleeping bags is to use a liner bag. If you haven’t heard of a liner bag before, it’s time you do now. A liner bag acts as an inner bag for your sleeping bag and will take all the dirt and grime, protecting the sleeping bag itself. The great thing about a liner bag is that it’s easy to wash, and most liner bags can withstand frequent washing. So it’s definitely worth the investment.

 

Washing Your Sleeping Bag

If your sleeping bag has gotten dirty and needs washing, fortunately, you can wash it. The gentlest way to wash your sleeping bag is by hand in a bathtub or a large basin. Fill it with lukewarm water and a little unscented soap suitable for hand washing, massage it well into the sleeping bag’s material, scrub stains thoroughly, and then rinse the sleeping bag thoroughly with clean water. However, this is quite a bit of work, and there are definitely easier ways to clean your sleeping bag. If you still want an ultra-gentle wash, you can always find a dry cleaner, as they can surely clean it thoroughly and gently.

 

Another option, which is probably easiest for most, is to put the sleeping bag in the washing machine. Here, it’s always important to follow the washing instructions for your specific sleeping bag. First, make sure the washing machine is large enough for the sleeping bag; it shouldn’t have to be squeezed in. Then make sure the sleeping bag is zipped up and all pockets are emptied. Wash the sleeping bag on a gentle cycle or at a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius. If the compression sack is not waterproof and is suitable for machine washing, throw it in as well, as it often smells and is dirty. Do not use fabric softener, but you can use clear vinegar as a deodorizer. You can also run an extra (gentle) spin cycle to get as much water out of the sleeping bag as possible.

 

How you dry your sleeping bag also matters. If it’s a down sleeping bag, it’s best to dry it in a tumble dryer. Down should ideally dry quickly. Feel free to add a tennis ball or two to the dryer, as this helps distribute the down. Otherwise, remember to take the sleeping bag out of the machine regularly and shake it well to redistribute the down so it doesn’t clump together. If it’s a synthetic sleeping bag, it can air dry. However, don’t hang it by the ends; unzip it and lay it flat over a drying rack. We always recommend drying your sleeping bag in a tumble dryer, as there is a risk of mold forming if the sleeping bag stays wet for too long. Remember to shake the sleeping bag regularly during the drying process, whether you are machine or air drying, and whether it’s down or synthetic. Finally, remember that your sleeping bag must be COMPLETELY dry before you pack it away in a storage sack or similar.

 Sleeping Bag Care

If you want to be extra good to your sleeping bag, there are care products available that can help maintain the insulation ability of the down. Your sleeping bag is already water-repellent when you buy it, but this treatment won’t last after many washes. Products from the brand Nikwax are a good option for re-waterproofing, for example. Nikwax Down Wash or similar can be used as detergent during the first wash, after which you can run another wash with Nikwax Down Proof to re-waterproof the down and optimize its insulation ability. Always remember to read the instructions for each product.

 

It always pays off to take good care of your sleeping bag. You will definitely appreciate it the next time you crawl into it to keep warm.

 

Do you have a quilt?

 

No problem. Maintenance, washing, and care of a quilt are exactly the same as for a sleeping bag. Just follow this guide, and you can’t go wrong.