Sleeping Bag Care
OK you have just spent a whole bunch of cash on a new sleeping bag and you want to know the best way to take care of it.
Storage
Whether down or synthetic the same rules apply to storage. Never store your sleeping bag in the small stuff sack that comes with your bag. These are great on the trail, but for long term place them in a cotton storage bag or if you bag came with one use it. If you have space and can hang the bag in a closet that will work also.
Using your bag
When you are out on the trail using a bag liner is a great idea. They come in a number of different materials including coolmax, cotton and silk. What is great about these liners are they can be washed. Your body sheds skin and oils and they along with dirt can have a negative impact on your bag. A liner will catch the stuff so it won’t get on our bag. A couple of other things to keep in mind, don’t sleep in the clothes you hike in, they pick up dirt, sweat and other grim while you are on the trail, and when in bear county don’t sleep in the clothes that you cook in. A bear can smell dinner on your clothes and does not know the difference between you and the Chili Cheese Mac you ate.
Cleaning your bag
No matter how hard you try, you bag will get dirty. Cleaning your bag can cause wear and tear. Spot cleaning is the best first step. Using a paste of powder laundry detergent and water will clean small spots or the hood and collar because of grim accumulation.
At some point spot cleaning won’t work anymore and your bag will need to be cleaned. You have a few choices; Rainy Pass Repair offers a cleaning service, or you can do it yourself. Dry cleaning is not an option; the cleaning solvents used will trash your bag.
The first step is to make sure you have the correct type of cleaning product. You want to use a gentle, non–detergent soap. We recommend Nikwax Down Wash, which is made for washing down and synthetic filled equipment.
According to some bag manufactures you can wash your down bag in a front loading washer. Use the gentle cycle and Nikwax Down Wash. Repeat the rinse cycle until all the soap is removed.
Another option for washing your bag is to use the bathtub. Fill the tub with warn water and add Nikwax Down Wash and gently work the soap into the bag and let soak for 15-20 minutes. Dain the tub and press out all the water you can. Fill the tub with cold water and gently work the soap out of the bag. Drain and refill the tube with cold water and repeat until all the soap is removed.
Drying your bag
Hanging you bag on a clothes line and letting it air dry is the best way, but it takes for ever. If you choose to use a tumble dryer use the low or no heat option. You need to keep your eye on the dryer to make sure it does not get too hot. Over heating can lead to melting your bag.If you have access to a laundromat, put your bag in the first dryer and add a couple of clean tennis balls. Place your hand on the glass of the dryer and as soon as it gets warm move your bag and tennis balls to the next dryer and repeat. The tennis balls will help break up any clumps of insulation and help with loft.
