Cleaning sleeping bag

ghostlymoron

ghostlymoron

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I've just returned from a sailing trip where I used my own sleeping bag. I don't usually wash them as I find they get lumpy and thin afterwards and usually a blow in the breeze freshness them but this time I'm considering it. The bag is a synthetic filling type and says 'cool wash' on the care label. What do others do?
 
A common recommendation is to dry it in the tumble drier along with an old trainer - that will plump up the filling again during the drying process.

I've machine washed by sleeping bag and dried with the above approach and been happy with the results; but I would keep the amount of detergent down to a minimum as I am not sure how well rinsing will get it out from the filling.
 
bedouin said:
A common recommendation is to dry it in the tumble drier along with an old trainer - that will plump up the filling again during the drying process.

I've machine washed by sleeping bag and dried with the above approach and been happy with the results; but I would keep the amount of detergent down to a minimum as I am not sure how well rinsing will get it out from the filling.
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use a liquid detergent
 
Don't forget, most modern, synthetic sleeping bag fillers do not want to be arranged in order, so when you pack it in its bag, just shove it in, don't roll it. If you roll it, you'll line up the fibres and they'll lose efficiency.

This is opposed to down filled sleeping bags, which generally want to be rolled up neatly before going in the bag.
 
Cardo said:
Don't forget, most modern, synthetic sleeping bag fillers do not want to be arranged in order, so when you pack it in its bag, just shove it in, don't roll it. If you roll it, you'll line up the fibres and they'll lose efficiency.

This is opposed to down filled sleeping bags, which generally want to be rolled up neatly before going in the bag.
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good news - head first - in it goes

the way the navy used to stuff sails in to bags
 
ghostlymoron said:
I've just returned from a sailing trip where I used my own sleeping bag. I don't usually wash them as I find they get lumpy and thin afterwards and usually a blow in the breeze freshness them but this time I'm considering it. The bag is a synthetic filling type and says 'cool wash' on the care label. What do others do?
Click to expand...

Most domestic washing machines are too small for all but light weight sleeping bags.

mostly i have taken them to a Launderette and used one of the large machines.

(Very convenient when I worked opposite one as i could see when there was a machine free and pop out to use it)

care needed with the dryers as they get too hot on max but take too long on minimum .... trick being to start on hot and reduce the setting before they get too hot for a nearly dry bag.

Some fillings seem Ok to wash others don't despite the labels ....... A bit like synthetic filled duvets
 
dylanwinter said:
buy em cheap

wash em

chuck em

I do a lot of winter sailing too

so I use two cheap sleeping bags

using good quality camping and hiking bags on boats is a waste of a good bag

D
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+1

When they're on sale you can pick surprisingly decent ones up for as little as £5-10 in the supermarket. Simply replace every year. When it gets below freezing I get out my army bag and use a liner to keep it clean. Damp cloth and fresh air if it does get dirty.
 
I've just put it in our washing machine (which is fairly large) with liquid detergent and on 40deg synthetic programme so fingers crossed. I'll tumble dry on cool setting. We've got some ball things in the dryer so I'm hoping they will bash the filling back into shape so fingers crossed.
 
2nd_apprentice said:
+1

When they're on sale you can pick surprisingly decent ones up for as little as £5-10 in the supermarket. Simply replace every year. When it gets below freezing I get out my army bag and use a liner to keep it clean. Damp cloth and fresh air if it does get dirty.
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You can get reasonable ones from Argos at the end of season. When it gets cold, I use 2 bags but with my recent one from Argos it's good for sub zero temperatures and there's room to turn over as well.
 
Another vote for cheap and chuck. Tesco had the ones I use on offer for £8. In fact on trips where a crew change sent me back by public transport I've been known to bin the bag rather than lug it home.
 
Cardo said:
This is opposed to down filled sleeping bags, which generally want to be rolled up neatly before going in the bag.
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Never heard that before, and not something that I've ever seen anyone with down bags do either. Everyone stuffs them in and they don't come to any harm. Been on mountaineering expeditions to polar regions where everyone has down filled bags - and expensive ones too.
 
Victoria Sponge said:
Buy a decent sleeping bag that you can machine was at a decent temperature. The very thought of not washing one makes me shudder.
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I used one for three and a half years continuously without a wash. It was getting a bit crusty by the end. It could probably do with a wash now, but being down, it's expensive to have it done professionally, and risky doing it yourself.
 
AngusMcDoon said:
Never heard that before, and not something that I've ever seen anyone with down bags do either. Everyone stuffs them in and they don't come to any harm. Been on mountaineering expeditions to polar regions where everyone has down filled bags - and expensive ones too.
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That was the advice I read when doing research for a sleeping bag purchase just over 10 years ago. Though this was only for camping out in British winters, so not quite as chilly as your polar regions.

My bags have always been synthetic fibres, so stuffed all the way.
 
Bag now washed on 40° synthetic program and dried on cool setting with 'balls' in drum. Seems to have retained its 'loft' and is nice and fragrant - result!
 
bedouin said:
A common recommendation is to dry it in the tumble drier along with an old trainer - that will plump up the filling again during the drying process.
Click to expand...

The downside being that after whirling around in the heat for a while with an old trainer, the bag will smell ready for another wash. :hopeless:
 
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