How to Clean Sleeping Bags?

So do you carry sleeping bags on an extensive hiking or camping holiday? Well, it is necessary to bring one to make hiking nights peaceful. But you need to clean and wash it well to use it daily. So, how you wash and clean your sleeping bag depends on whether the bag is filled with synthetic fiber or any other material.

Sleeping in a sleeping bag means it has oils, dust, sand, and salts from the outside world. These dust particles can remain inside the sleeping bag. Furthermore, these dust particles can compromise the insulation of a sleeping bag and make it stinky and less fresh.

Keeping your sleeping bags clean will make the product more durable and pleasant. So keep on reading the following tips on how to clean sleeping bags:

The Process of cleaning a sleeping bag

Step 1: Head to the Laundry

Your washing machine or dryer is not enough to clean the sleeping bag and dust inside it. So, it is advisable to visit the laundromat to clean your sleeping bag. They wash it with industrial-sized equipment and a front-loading washer. But never use a top-loading washing machine as the sleeping bag can get twisted and rip.

If you’re using a zero-degree or alpine bag with massive baffles, heavy loft, or high-quality insulation, putting in a larger washer is recommended. They use detergent and remove dust particles minutely which will clean the sleeping bag.

Step 2: Use the right cleaner

One tip you must remember is you should never dry-clean your sleeping bag. Also, never wash it with regular laundry detergent. Maximum people go wrong with DIY cleaning techniques and using the right cleaner. If you use a standard or regular household cleaner, it can end up with an ordinary wash and this can lead to down clumping.

Ensure to read the wash care instructions. Also, if at all you have ripped off the tag, then you can check the manufacturer’s website to learn more about cleaning guidelines. If you have a down sleeping bag, you will have to wash it with a down cleaner formulated for down fibers as well as feathers.

Step 3: Wash the sleeping bag

The wash care instructions on the sleeping bag must cover basic things like water temperature, spin cycle, how much detergent to use, or which water is suitable to wash the sleeping bag.

Generally, one must use either warm or cold water and the sleeping bag can be kept through the rinse cycle at atleast 2 to 3 times.

Step 4: Dry the sleeping bag

Once you are done with all the washing and rinsing and water-extracting, all you need to do is dry your sleeping bag. Transfer the sleeping bag to the dryer at a lower heat setting. Ensure the lint filters are washed and cleaned. If that’s a down sleeping bag, you can add a few small tension balls to maintain the loft. Likewise, in order to wash and clean the synthetic bags, you do not need to add tennis balls.

But you must understand that the drying process takes a long time. That is why you need to get an industrial dryer to wash the sleeping bag thoroughly. You’ll be able to get better heat transfer options with lower temperatures.

Step 5: Spot Cleaning as well as Hand Washing

To be honest, there is actually not compulsory to spot-clean your sleeping bag; you must wash the entire sleeping bag. But if your sleeping bag gets one dark stain or pesky mark or dust inside the sleeping bag, you can spritz, clean, and remove the stains with a good cleaner.

If an industrial washing machine or cleaner or dryer is not available, you can do one more thing. Just hand wash your sleeping bag in a large basin or wash in soapy water stored in a bigger tub.

Just follow the below steps

1. Pour a small amount of cleaner liquid into lukewarm water and wash and rinse the sleeping bag.
2. Air drying will also work if that is one of the options available. But this procedure of washing can take quite a long time to completely wash and dry the sleeping bag.
3. Treat visible stains especially if the stains are

Step 6: Air the bag before you store it

This is one of the most important tips you can focus on and follow. You need to hang the bag in a dry place where you can air it out before being returned to the storage bag or storage sack. Following this procedure will help you to wash your sleeping bag. Likewise, you’ll be able to preserve the durability, warmth, and quality of the sleeping bag. If at all this procedure seems to be a bit weird and difficult, then you can definitely invest in a sleeping bag liner.

Step 7: Store the Bag

Now your beautiful sleeping bag is washed, rinsed, and dried. The cleaning and rinsing procedure isn’t so difficult to follow. In order to maintain durability, longevity, and softness, you need to store the sleeping bag as loosely somewhere as you can. One thing to remember is you should never keep a bag stored inside a tiny stuff sack or boxes that are designed for backpacking trips.

One of the best ways to store a sleeping bag is to lay the bag out. You can either hang it fully open or lay it on top of some strong base like a bed, couch, or sleeping pad. Additionally, you can also make use of an enlarged sack so that you can keep the sleeping bag as loose stuff.

Final Words

These are actually easy tips noted above to make your washing, cleaning, and rinsing of the sleeping bag work simple. If you have more tips or questions on how to clean sleeping bags, then you can definitely let us know in the comment section. Also, follow us on social media and we will also be happy to share more information on the relevant topic with you.