How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag (To Keep It Clean & Cozy)
When was the last time you washed your sleeping bag? Has it been longer than you’d like to admit? Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole process so you keep putting it off? Well, procrastinate no more!
This guide to how to wash a down sleeping bag will break down the process – which is actually quite simple – so you can get your sleeping bag clean and cozy in time for your next camping trip.
HOW TO WASH A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
Do you get overwhelmed when you think about figuring out how to wash a down sleeping bag? Well, don’t worry! This post will walk you through the steps for how to wash a down sleeping bag either in a washing machine or by hand washing, as well as how to dry a down sleeping bag properly.
Washing a down sleeping bag isn’t difficult, but it is a little tedious, so make sure to set aside some time for the whole process. Try NOT to put it off until the day before a backpacking trip!
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WHAT YOU NEED TO WASH A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
You actually don’t need a lot of things to wash a down sleeping bag, but these things are super important.
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GENTLE LAUNDRY DETERGENT
A gentle laundry detergent is necessary for washing a down sleeping bag, but you don’t need a special down detergent. I typically use what I have on hand (which is usually Trader Joe’s brand detergent). While this may not be the “best” detergent for down, it has worked fine for me for years.
TENNIS BALLS OR DRYER BALLS
Tennis balls or dryer balls are CRUCIAL to drying your down sleeping bag, so don’t skip them! They help restore the fluff to the down during the drying process. I typically throw in 4 tennis balls PLUS 2 llama wool dryer balls that I have, so 6 balls go into the dryer with my down sleeping bag.
HOW TO WASH A DOWN SLEEPING BAG IN A MACHINE
Machine washing a down sleeping bag is simple, but you need a washing machine without an agitator – typically a front-loading washing machine.
A top-loading washing machine with an agitator could cause damage to your down sleeping bag. Given how expensive down sleeping bags can be, it’s probably not worth taking that chance – you can either go to a laundromat or hand wash your sleeping bag instead.
PREPARING YOUR DOWN SLEEPING BAG
First, make sure nothing got left in your sleeping bag, like socks down in the toe box or snacks or electronics in a pocket (if your sleeping bag has one). Also, shake out your sleeping bag and brush off any dirt.
Zip up the zipper on your bag before washing. You can also pretreat any big stains you see before putting it in the machine.
MACHINE WASHING A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
Put your sleeping bag into the washing machine on a gentle or normal wash setting with cold water. Use a down wash or gentle detergent, as recommended in the supplies section above. Do NOT use bleach or fabric softener.
Some people think it’s a good idea to wash your down sleeping bag with a second cycle of just water to make sure all the soap is removed (but I don’t always do this). If your washer has the option of “second rinse,” then choose that.
HOW TO WASH A DOWN SLEEPING BAG BY HAND
Hand washing a down sleeping bag is a little more involved since you have to actually do the work, but it’s still a simple process. While you might be able to wash a down jacket in the sink or a bucket, you’ll want to use your bathtub for a down sleeping bag since it’s so much bigger.
HAND WASHING A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
Fill your tub with water (cool or warm, not hot) and add a little gentle detergent or down wash. Put your down sleeping bag in the tub and gently scrub the soap into the bag. If your sleeping bag is super dirty, you can let it soak in the soapy water for a while.
Then drain the tub and fill it with clean water to rinse out the sleeping bag. Make sure to work out all the soap – you might need to drain the tub and repeat with clean water a few times.
Once the sleeping bag is free of soap, squeeze it out and carefully carry it to the dryer.
HOW TO DRY A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
Though it might seem counterintuitive, it’s actually better to use a dryer to dry a down sleeping bag rather than let it air dry. Air drying your sleeping bag could take 24-48 hours and leave it clumpy, while putting it in the dryer will be much quicker and refresh the loft of the down to its full fluffiness.
DRYING YOUR DOWN SLEEPING BAG
After washing your down sleeping bag, you might be concerned that it’s pretty wet and clumpy. But don’t worry, drying your down sleeping bag properly will transform it back to its normal state.
Put your down sleeping bag into the dryer with about 4-6 tennis balls or dryer balls. These are crucial, so don’t skip this! Yes, it will be loud, but the balls are what will restore the fluff in your sleeping bag.
Do NOT put dryer sheets in with your down sleeping bag. Dryer sheets can damage the fabric of your sleeping bag and any protective coating the fabric has.
Dry on a low to no heat setting (I usually put mine at a low heat setting). Although this might mean it takes a few cycles to fully dry your sleeping bag, you definitely don’t want to use a higher heat setting. High heat could potentially damage or even melt the nylon fabric on your down sleeping bag. So just be patient with a low heat setting and expect the drying process to take several hours.
HOW TO CARE FOR A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
While you now know how to wash a down sleeping bag, you can limit how often you have to wash it by caring for your sleeping bag properly. Here are some tips to keep your down sleeping bag in good condition between washes.
HOW TO STORE A DOWN SLEEPING BAG
To keep your down sleeping bag fluffy, always store it loosely in a large sack, NOT in a stuff sack. Keeping your sleeping bag in a stuff sack all the time will compress the down, and eventually it won’t go back to its full loft, which means it won’t insulate as well.
SPOT CLEAN WHEN YOU CAN
To avoid having to go through the whole washing and drying process more than you need to, you can spot clean the particularly dirty areas of your sleeping bag.
USE A SLEEPING BAG LINER
Using a sleeping bag liner has a couple benefits. First of all, it can add extra warmth to your sleeping bag, so if you’re camping in temps that are at the edge of your sleeping bag’s rating, this can make you more comfortable.
Secondly, it keeps your sleeping bag cleaner, since it protects the inside fabric.
Hope this guide helps you keep your down sleeping bag clean and fluffy! If you still have any questions about how to wash your down sleeping bag, ask away in the comments!
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Cheers,
Allison - She Dreams of Alpine
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