To get the longest life out of your bag and ensure it maintains its' loft for many years, It is important to store it properly, and occassionally wash it when needed to restore the life of your bag.
Storing Your Sleeping Bag
When you aren't using your sleeping bag, hang it in a closet out of the storage stuff sack, or lay it out underneath a bed. Keeping your sleeping bag out of the storage stuff sack is ideal and will allow the down to remain lofted. The second best option is to store the bag in the storage stuff sack that is included and keep it somewhere where nothing will compress the bag.
This hanger from Austin Hangers is a great product for hanging your bag in a closet.
Never store your bag in the compression stuff sack. Doing so will reduce the loft and warmth of your bag.
When to Wash your Bag
If the top fabric of your bag is dirty, you should spot clean it with a mild soap and water mix. You should wash your entire bag infrequently, and only when the loft of the bag appears to be lower than it was when it was new. For most people, this will be once every couple of years depending on how often you sleep in it, or longer. Eventually, the dirt and oils from using it will migrate to the down, and that's when it is time to give it a wash.
Longevity tip: Wearing long underwear in your bag will help keep body oils off of the interior fabric and will reduce the amount of washing you need to do with your bag.
Washing your bag improperly can reduce the loft of the bag, so don't try to DIY it with a new method! Follow the instructions below.
How to Wash Your Sleeping Bag
- Purchase soap specifically made for washing down products, such as Granger's Down Wash Kit, or Nikwax Down Wash Direct. We like the Grangers because it comes with 3 balls to help re-loft your bag. Whatever you use, make sure it is specifically formulated for washing down, and don't use regular laundry detergent, which can strip the oils off of your down and lead to down clumping.
- Use a front load washing machine (never use a washing machine with a center agitator), or ideally a commercial size front load machine at a launder mat. The commercial size is best because of the large capacity.
- Unzip your bag all the way to prevent zipper damage.
- Wash your bag in warm or cold water on gentle cycle using the recommended amount of soap from whichever brand you choose.
- Be sure to rinse the bag at least two, but ideally 3 times to make sure you get all of the soapy residue out. if you squeeze the bag and notice any soap bubbles, rinse it again in cold water.
- Dry your bag in a dryer (don't air dry) on low heat (typically you can use the delicates setting on your dryer) and be sure to add 3 unused tennis or raquet balls (or use the balls that come with the Grangers down wash). Drying will take several hours on low heat, but be sure to leave it in the dryer until it is completely dry. The most important part of the re-lofting process happens during the end of the drying process once the down is dry, and that is when the balls will break up any down clumps in your bag.
- Lay out your bag or hang it for 24-48 hours to make sure it is complely dry before storing it.
What Not To Do When Washing a Sleeping Bag
- Never wash your bag in a washing machine with a center agitator (it will cause your seams to rip apart)
- Never dry clean your bag
- Never use bleach or fabric softeners
- Never use regular laundry detergent (it will strip your down of natural oils and reduce the loft)