How to store a sleeping bag
You have invested money in your sleeping bag, and you want to keep it looking and feeling good right? Then you need to store it the right way.
For down sleeping bags, this is imperative. Synthetic bags also need to be treated kindly, so the same rule applies. Read on to find out how easy it is to do this the correct way.
(we have more tips on caring for your sleeping bag here - there's 5 other tips you need to read)
On return from a trip
You have come home from a camping trip and you just want to get all your gear out of sight and away. (you can read our tips on caring for your camping gear at end of a trip here).
Before you pack away the sleeping bag, you need to air it. Hang it inside (or outside if there is no chance of rain/dew) for at least 24 hours.
You have come home from a camping trip and you just want to get all your gear out of sight and away. (you can read our tips on caring for your camping gear at end of a trip here).
Before you pack away the sleeping bag, you need to air it. Hang it inside (or outside if there is no chance of rain/dew) for at least 24 hours.
Leave it unstuffed
Now that your bag is aired, you need to put it in a large mesh or breathable sack. Not the tiny stuff sack that you use with your bag when travelling. Some sleeping bags come with a sack specifically for this purpose.
Why leave your sleeping bag not all compressed in its stuff sack? Because you are compressing the loft in the bag, whether it's down or synthetic. The loft needs to fluff up because that fluff traps air and that is keeping you warm when in the bag. When the insulation is all packed tightly, it's not lofting. The loft can put up with only so much compression over time, and it will lose its ability over time to fluff up.
You don't need to buy a special sack to hold your sleeping bag. Any large breathable bag will suffice. Plastic is not ideal as its not breathable, but if you do choose this option, don't tie up the bag - allow air to get in.
If you don't have an area to hold a big sack with your sleeping bag in it, you could hang up the sleeping bag in your wardrobe.
Alternatively, you could place under your bed though it could get dusty and possibly damaged, so that may not be ideal depending on your home.
Avoid storing in any part of the home where the bag will be exposed to possible moisture.
Now that your bag is aired, you need to put it in a large mesh or breathable sack. Not the tiny stuff sack that you use with your bag when travelling. Some sleeping bags come with a sack specifically for this purpose.
Why leave your sleeping bag not all compressed in its stuff sack? Because you are compressing the loft in the bag, whether it's down or synthetic. The loft needs to fluff up because that fluff traps air and that is keeping you warm when in the bag. When the insulation is all packed tightly, it's not lofting. The loft can put up with only so much compression over time, and it will lose its ability over time to fluff up.
You don't need to buy a special sack to hold your sleeping bag. Any large breathable bag will suffice. Plastic is not ideal as its not breathable, but if you do choose this option, don't tie up the bag - allow air to get in.
If you don't have an area to hold a big sack with your sleeping bag in it, you could hang up the sleeping bag in your wardrobe.
Alternatively, you could place under your bed though it could get dusty and possibly damaged, so that may not be ideal depending on your home.
Avoid storing in any part of the home where the bag will be exposed to possible moisture.
Washing your sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is in need of a wash, please read links below on further care
How to wash a down sleeping bag
How to care for your sleeping bag
If your sleeping bag is in need of a wash, please read links below on further care
How to wash a down sleeping bag
How to care for your sleeping bag