How to clean a down sleeping bag -
step by step guide to washing your bag
Sooner or later that down sleeping bag you own will need a wash. You probably paid a lot for this bag, so taking care of it is important and cleaning it will help it last and help it loft. You may read about all the dramas about washing down, but it doesn't need to be too scary - just need to follow some basic but necessary steps for a successful washing experience.
There are 2 methods to wash a down sleeping bag. Firstly, via a washing machine. Secondly, hand washing. We will cover both methods, with step by step instructions to make it easy.
Machine Wash
To machine wash, you need a large washing machine - front loader. This means that going to a laundromat and using the large industrial size machine is your best option. And this is not a quick process, so allow yourself plenty of time (a few hours).
Top loading machines have agitators, and the average size front loader you have at home is not large enough. So that is why you head to a laundromat.
You will need to bring to the laundromat
- sleeping bag
- tennis balls
- a down wash (we recommend NikWax Down Wash or Grangers Down Wash)
Your everyday clothes detergent will strip your bag of essential oils. Do not use anything but a specific down wash product
Step 1
Read the instructions on your sleeping bag on cleaning. It will give you a guide to the temperature for washing and follow any specific instructions they provide. If the instructions are different to the below, we recommend you go with the manufacturer instructions.
Step 2
Make sure all zippers are fully zipped. Velcro tabs are closed/folded. Turn the bag inside out. Check the condition of your bag whilst doing this - make sure the seams are all strong and there are no holes/rips anywhere.
Step 3
You may wish to do a pre-rinse cycle on the washing machine whilst its empty and before you start the washing process. That way the machine has no residue from previous detergents in it. Doesn't need to be a long cycle. Check the machine has nothing inside it that could catch on your sleeping bag. Just run your hand around the inside of the drum to see if there is any thing rough or abrasive inside.
Step 4
Set the temperature based on the advice on the tag. Should be 30 degrees Celsius max as a guide, and then set the cycle as Gentle or Delicate. Add the down specific detergent.
Step 5
Place down sleeping bag inside the machine and commence wash. When that is complete, do an extra rinse cycle to ensure there is no detergent left. If there are any suds when the wash and rinse is over, you may need to do more than 1 rinse. Whilst the machine wash is on, find your dryer and check that there is nothing inside that could snag on your bag.
Step 6
When the wash cycle is over, you need to place the wet bag into a large dryer. The sleeping bag will be heavy and this is where you will need to use care with your transport from washing machine to dryer. The feathers are in a fragile state, so supporting your bag is crucial at this point. Don't drag it, or let it hang. Support it all. The dryer you have chosen must have a low temperature setting.
Step 7
After you have carefully put the bag in the dryer, put 2-3 clean tennis balls in with it. The tennis balls will help break up clumps. Set the dryer going on a low heat and on a gentle/delicates cycle. You may need to stay close as sometimes the sleeping bag may get unevenly distributed within the machine, and you will have to open it and redistribute it. After the first drying cycle is complete, check the bag. It must be COMPLETELY dry. You will need to put on another drying cycle just like the first one, and then another cycle and another....it's not a fast process.
Step 8
When the sleeping bag is completely dry, do not pack away the sleeping bag once you get home. Leave it out for another 48 hours minimum to help it loft again fully.
Hand washing your sleeping bag (but you still need a dryer)
Our preferred way is the above method, but if you don't want to spend a lot of time in a laundromat, you can do some work at home before heading to the laundromat
Step 1
Follow step 1 and step 2 from the machine wash steps.
Step 2
Fill your bath with lukewarm water, and place in your down specific detergent in the water, and swish it around so its all mixed well with the water. Place your sleeping bag into the bath.
Step 3
With the sleeping bag, you will knead it gently whilst the bag is fully submerged in the bath. Not squeezing not wringing not lifting up the bag though - gentle kneading. Now let it soak for 1 hour.
Step 4
Drain the water from your bath (leaving the bag in the bath the entire time) and refill the bath with fresh, clean lukewarm water.
Step 5
Gently massage the sleeping bag as this process is to remove any suds. Repeat Step 4 - and this may need to be done again, until no suds come out. Drain the water for the last time, and with the bag still in the bath, push down all over the bag to drain excess water from the bag.
Step 6
Remove the bag very carefully - do not let it drag or hang in any way - and put in your dryer and follow steps 6, 7, 8 from machine washing. FYI - If your dryer at home is not large enough, you will need to transport the wet sleeping bag to a laundromat (may need to be carried in a laundry basket, as it will still be very wet) .
Helpful Tips with Cleaning Your Sleeping Bag
- To help reduce the changes of having to do the above processes too often, a sleeping bag liner is an option on keeping your bag clean (plus it increases warmth). It's easier to wash a liner than a bag. Buy one here.
- Dry cleaning is not an option. The chemicals used will not be good for your sleeping bag.
- Dryer sheets and softeners - like regular detergent, these will damage your sleeping bag. Don't use them.
- Picking up a wet sleeping bag is not easy, but you need to do carefully to avoid damaging the internal baffles.
- A damp sleeping bag leads to mildew and mould in your sleeping bag. Drying a bag is a tedious but necessary process so you must allow plenty of time to do it properly. This is not a rush job.
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