Sleeping bags are your best partners for the camping and the travelling adventures. But what you can do when it gets stained and dirty?
The solution that comes in your mind is washing your bag. You do not need to wash your bag on every trip but can do it when it gets too much or on yearly basis. Moreover, commonly there are two types of sleeping bags available.
Types of Sleeping Bags
Down Sleeping Bag
Down sleeping bags are stuffed with natural feature of duck and geese.
Down sleeping bag will be ideal for you if you want to carry something light along your trip. Moreover, they provide you with more warmth than the synthetic sleeping bag. If you use it with great care, then it will be durable up to 10-15 years.
On the other hand, the down sleeping bags are more expensive and will not be suitable for the weather that is humid or wet because it absorbs the moisture and needs drying time to time.
Synthetic Sleeping Bag
The synthetic sleeping bag is made up of man-made material that is polyester and nylon.
Synthetic sleeping bags are best for those who have less budget because it is less expensive than the down sleeping bag. Furthermore, these are weather resistant and will be your best partner in the tropical regions.
But the disadvantage is that it is heavier than the down sleeping and not so warm as well. Furthermore, it is not so durable like a down sleeping bag.
Quick Cleaning
Your sleeping bag doesn’t require an extensive cleaning procedure all the time and will be fine by just spot cleaning.
You have to create a mixture by taking a dish detergent and water stir it until it becomes a thick mixture. Apply the mixture on the dirt marks and stain spot by the help of a toothbrush.
It will give it a nice look and save from you deep washing.
Washing the Down Sleeping Bag
When it gets deeply dirty, it needs to be washed thoroughly prior to proper use. As it has been mentioned before that sleeping bags are delicate, so it needs great care for washing.
Supplies
- Large sink or tub
- Down specific detergent
- Tennis ball
Preparing for Washing
The first step is to zip the sleeping bag properly. Then create a mixture in a tub or a sink as per your convenience. Then take lukewarm water and add little quantity of specific down detergent that will not cause damage to the fabric.
Hand Washing
After that place your sleeping bag inside the mixture and keep it for soaking for up to 1 hour so all the dirt can be removed. You can also use sponge or cloth to remove the stains.
After that refill tub or sink with clean water and gently turn it upside-down, use your hands to remove the soap from it.
After that press the sleeping bag by hands to get off the excess water from the washing bag.
Machine Washing
It has been preferred to use large and front loading washing machine because of its large capacity and bigger size.
First, you have to make sure that there are no residues of soap in the washing or anything. Hence, run the empty washing machine on the rinse cycle first.
After adding the detergent set the cycle on delicate setting on 30 centigrade. Then run the rinse cycle and few spin cycle to make sure the soap residues entirely wipe off. Moreover, you can also check it by pressing it and if it has not removed rerun the cycle.
Spread the towel on the floor or any flat surface. With the help of someone or if you are handling by yourself, then do with great care, place your sleeping bag on the towel as down is very delicate for absorbing the excess of water.
Drying
The dryer is ideal for drying the down sleeping bag because air drying will take up a long time. Along with that there are chances, it gets mold or must.
Set the dryer on the low heat or tumble for the sleeping bag. To speed up the drying process, you can also throw the tennis balls it can even break up any clumps. It had recommended drying the bag in an interval of 20 minutes.
Washing Synthetic Sleeping Bag
These type of sleeping bags also need cleaning to increase their performance and get a clean look. The synthetic bag is not as sensitive as compared to a down sleeping bag. However, you must remain conscious while washing it.
Supplies
- Sink or tub
- Mild detergent
- Warm water
- soft-bristled brush
Preparing the Mixture
You have unzipped the sleeping bag. After that, take the specialized synthetic or mild detergent include water and create solution. If you are hand washing it, create in a tub or if you are machine washing then add in a machine.
Washing by Hand
For this put the bag in the solution, you can also use a soft-bristled brush to scrub any dirt and stain mark. Then keep it for soaking for 1 to 4 hours depending upon the amount of dust it gathers.
After this drain your tub or sink and fill with fresh water. Wash the soap residues until they have been completely removed. Furthermore, to get off the excess water, you need to push it by hand.
Washing by Machine
A front-loading machine that can tolerate larger weight has been recommended because in a small washing machine there are chances of damaging and tearing.
The washing procedure is almost the same as the down sleeping bag. Run the gentle/delicate full washing cycle. After that also run the rinse and spin cycle. However, always check for teh cleanliness of soap.
Wipe the water by the cloth.
Drying
Air dry or use of dryer are both useful for Synthetic sleeping bag.
Place it on towel and put the sleeping bag in the shady or sunny area. You can also hang the sleeping bag in sunlight to be dried. Furthermore, to get rid of the clumps, you can use your hands.
If you do not have space, then run the dryer on tumble or on low heat. Make sure that the whole sleeping bag has been dried and also add tennis ball to remove clumps.
Dos and Donts of washing
- Don’t use bleach or fabric softener as they make the fabric harsh.
- Don’t use dry cleaning.
- Always specific formulated soap for down and mild detergent for a synthetic sleeping bag.
- Remove the straps or other accessories from sleeping bag
- If you are washing more than one bag, then wash one at a time.
- Always wait that it can be entirely dried up before placing it
Storage of Sleeping Bag
When you have returned from your trip. Then keep the bag in the open air for 24 hours to eliminate any bad odor or mildew. Or if you want to store it just after washing then make sure it complete dry If outdoor space is not available then you can hang inside in dried environment.
Always remember that don’t place your bags in tight stuff sacks as it can lose its installation and will hinder its performance. You can use the stuff sacks for storing in camping or trail.
It has been advised you can hang it or store in a large storage bag, generally provided with it.
Sleeping Bag for the long run
Use of Liners
Including the liner in your sleeping will not only protect your bag from dirt or debris. But it also adds on to the overall temperature and will give you more heat up to 15 centigrade.
Liners are of different types, such as cotton. Silk, polyester e.c.t. But best is of silk and cotton thus you can wash your liner whenever you return from the trip
Change your Clothes
Whenever you return always wear neat and clean nightwear. Because if you don’t change your cloth, then body oils or sweats are trap in your sleeping bag and will hinder the performance. Furthermore, also wear the cap while sleeping
Never place your Sleeping bag on the Ground
Always lay something beneath the sleeping bag such as pad or cloth to protect it from any sharp object and other insects that can cause damaging.
Open zip gently
Before taking it to the trip practice the opening and closing of zipping and set your hand. Because any mishandling can cause serious implication.
Air out your Bag
To eliminate the sweat and odor it is necessary to put your sleeping bag in air few hour. This will be helpful to eliminate musty odors.
Conclusion
Washing and caring for a sleeping bag is not so difficult as long as you adopt the correct procedures. Moreover, you have to remain conscious while selecting the right washing liquid for the type of fabric you are using.
Furthermore, we hope so this information will be helpful and sufficient enough for washing your sleeping bag.