Sleeping Bag Care: How to Wash a Sleeping Bag?

Many of us have a sweet relationship with our sleeping bags Australia that we wish will last for a long time. For that to happen, it is very important to do what’s right for the sleeping bag.

Image from: TheBMC

Your bag requires care, so you should always keep it dry and clean. You should always make sure to step into the compact sleeping bag in clean clothes no matter how exhausted you feel. If you step into the bag with sweat and dirt, then the durability of your bag might reduce. You can use a sleeping bag liner as they act as a boundary between your skin and the bag, and just washing that at the end will also work great for you. You should even be careful and not keep your bag on the ground as there might be sharp objects lying around. In the end, it’s important to be gentle with your bag, be it during camping or while using the zips. Don’t forget to air out your sleeping bag once you are back home.

When the bag is losing its fluffiness and looks dirty, you know it’s time to wash the ultralight sleeping bag. You need not wash it after every trip, but it is always a good idea to do it once a year, depending on how often you’re using the bag. Before storing the bag at the end of the season, you should wash it so that nobody oil or dirt is stuck on it till the next use.

Down Insulation bags are lighter in weight and more compressible, making them durable as well. At the same time, synthetic bags are very affordable. The insulation decides the weight and the size of the sleeping bags Australia, and it’s also an important factor when it comes to cleaning the ultralight sleeping bag as both require different cleaning products.

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By following the right tips and steps, you can take the right care of your compact sleeping bag. To start with the basics, it is very important to read the labels to know what the company advises you to do. Don’t forget to close all the zips and pockets that there may be before the wash and turn the bag inside out for a proper wash. It’s very important to use the right soap for the right fabric. You can either machine wash it or hand wash it.

Before washing the bag, you should fix any tears, if present, by sewing them. You can use a sewn patch as well or even a Band-Aid to cover the area. Referring to and following the manufacturer's instructions is very important. Some people choose to give the work of cleaning to professionals, but you can always choose to do it yourself by choosing a gentle soap specifically made to cater to such needs. The process of cleaning and drying requires an ample amount of time.

How to Machine wash your lightweight sleeping bag?

Use a front-loading washer with a large capacity to ensure that the entire bag is rinsed completely.
You should use the right cleaner. For bags with synthetic material, technical cleaners are recommended. And a different cleaner should be used for down bags.
You should wash the bag in a gentle cycle using warm water.
After proper rinsing, the bag should not feel water-soaked, and if there’s excess water, then it should be squeezed out.
The next step is to put the sleeping bag in the dryer on low heat. High heat can damage the material. You can choose to add some tennis balls to avoid clumps and cotton towels that’ll help absorb the water. You should use the dryer repeatedly till the bag is completely dried out.
If you don’t have a dryer, you can also keep the bag on a clean surface with low humidity and doesn’t receive direct sunlight. You can lay it out overnight to ensure proper drying.

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How to hand wash your sleeping bag?

Fill your bathtub with warm water.
Add appropriate cleaning product depending on the material of your bag.
Put the bag in the tub and make sure the soap reaches every corner. Rub the dirty areas.
After soaking it up for an hour, remove the soap water entirely from the tub and fill it with fresh cold water.
Let the bag rest in the water and repeat the process till the bag is completely rinsed, and all the soap is off it.
Repeat drying the lightweight sleeping bag using a dryer or lay it where there are less sunlight and low humidity. Ensure complete drying of the bag by letting it dry overnight.

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Some dryers put out too much heat even at the lowest level. To avoid any problem, you can open the door from time to time to let out some heat. Once the dryer stops, immediately check on the bag and not let it rest in that hot drum.

Sometimes your bag just requires some attention which is necessarily not a full bath. You can go the extra mile and use spot cleaning as the interior lining and corners tend to get extra dirty. You can apply soap to those areas and use a toothbrush to clean out the dirt gently. By making a paste of the appropriate soap, you can clean the bag's shell by focusing on the collar where your hair oil tends to compile. You can make sure to not fill the inside with water by holding the liner the right way.

You shouldn’t go for dry cleaning as the solvents used are toxic and might harm the material. Dry cleaning will help you clean your bag, but it’ll also harm the material by not keeping it safe and warm. Neither should you use softeners or bleach/ alternative bleach products.

Periodically check your bag to make sure that the zippers and other details are in a good state. Ensure that the insulation is settled evenly. If not, then a good wash will make it better.

What were your thoughts on our article? We had be delighted to hear from you. Let us know what you think in the comments section below! Are you itching to go camping? Check out our The Best Day Hikes in Australia, or read up on 6 Epic Hiking Trails in Australia. You can also browse our store for more camping supplies!