Washing and caring for your down sleeping bag

Washing and caring for your down sleeping bag

A down sleeping bag can be one of the biggest investments in terms of your camping or hiking gear, but are they worth the steep cost? How long will a down sleeping bag even last? Well, rest assured with proper washing and care, a quality down sleeping bag is worth every penny.

Down sleeping bags can last up to 15 years or in some cases even longer, but the life span is determined by how often it gets used and the care given to it during its years of service. Bags with a higher fill power also will generally last longer than lower fill power models.

If your down sleeping bag is getting used daily in harsh environments like the Alaskan bush, you can probably expect to get fewer years from it. But if you are an occasional weekend backpacker, with proper maintenance you should be able to get many more years out of your down sleeping bag.

So, what can you do to ensure you get the most life out of your down sleeping bag?

Maintaining a down sleeping bag to help it last longer

Maintenance is key to increasing the life span of you down sleeping bag. This includes proper storage and cleaning. However, washing your bag too much can be harmful to the down between the inner and outer shells of your bag.

Washing your down sleeping bag should be limited to once a year while gently spot cleaning dingy spots in between. You can minimize how often your bag needs to be washed by using a sleeping bag liner and/or wearing clean clothes while laying inside of it.

How to Spot Clean a Down Sleeping Bag

To spot clean, use an appropriate down soap and a soft bristle brush. Apply the soap and gently scrub with the brush until thoroughly clean. If only cleaning the shells, you can pull them away from the down to keep the fill from getting too wet. Rinse the spot with a wet sponge until all suds are gone and allow to dry.

When you do decide your down sleeping bag needs a full cleaning, you can do so in a washing machine or by hand.

Machine washing a down sleeping bag

Do not wash a down sleeping bag in a washing machine with an agitator! An agitator can snag and tear a sleeping bag.

Before starting any directions below, check for washing instructions that may have come with your down sleeping bag. If you can’t find any, you can always call the manufacturer and ask how to properly wash the bag. Follow the instructions they give you if they vary from what is described below.

Run a rinse cycle in your washer before placing your bag inside. This ensures that there is no residual chemicals or detergents remaining from a previous wash.
Zip up any zippers and fasten any fasteners, velcro included.
Make sure there is nothing in the washer that can snag your bag.
Start your washer on a delicate cycle with warm or cold water, then add down soap. DO NOT USE A REGULAR LAUNDRY DETERGENT!
When the soap has mixed well with the water, gently place your sleeping bag inside (if using a top loader).
After the wash has finished and the rinse cycle has been completed, run another rinse cycle to help thoroughly wash away all soap. Even if you don’t see suds after the first rinse, it is a good idea to rinse at least an additional time to play it safe.
Check to make sure all soap has been rinsed by pressing on the bag and looking for suds. Rinse it as many times as needed until all suds are gone.
Carefully remove your down sleeping bag from the washer, supporting it well and not letting it drape down.
To dry, see instructions further below.

Hand washing a down sleeping bag

Again, check for your sleeping bag’s washing instructions and use those in place of the instructions below if they are any different.

For hand washing your down sleeping bag, we are going to be using a bathtub.

Clean your bathtub and make sure to rinse it thoroughly before attempting to wash your down sleeping bag in it.
Fill your tub with warm water and add your down soap.
Place your bag into the tub and gently work the soap in. Concentrate a little more on the dingiest spots.
After the soap has been worked in thoroughly, allow it to soak for at least an hour.
Drain the tub and drain excess water from your bag by gently pressing it. DO NOT WRING!
Refill your tub with cool or warm water and gently massage your down sleeping bag to release remaining suds. Repeat this step as many times as necessary until all suds are gone.
Drain your tub and refill one last time for extra assurance all suds have been rinsed away.
Press your bag gently to remove excess water before removing it from the tub. Be sure to fully support your bag when lifting it.
To dry, see instructions below.

Drying a down sleeping bag

You can dry your down sleeping bag with a dryer or allow it to air dry.

Dryer

If using a dryer, you need one large enough to allow your sleeping bag to fluff out. Otherwise, it will be best to air dry it. Set your dryer to its lowest heat setting and place your bag inside. Drying will take several hours. To help break up clumps of down, throw a couple of clean tennis balls inside the dryer when the bag is near dry or fully dry.

Air Drying

If you decide to air dry your down sleeping bag, lay it flat in a dry place out of the sun. Make sure no part of the sleeping bag is hanging down or unsupported.

When the bag is dry, you’ll likely need to break up clumps of down. You can do this by hand or toss your sleeping bag inside a dryer with a couple of clean tennis balls for a half-hour.

Other washing options for your down sleeping bag

If you don’t have a washing machine without an agitator, you can check out your local laundromats. Same deal with a dryer as a laundromat may have larger options.

You can also have your down sleeping bag professionally cleaned (not dry cleaned). Check with your local outdoor outfitter to see if they have any recommendations for local places that can clean your bag. If there are no local options, you can always send your bag to Rainypass.com, a company located in Seattle. Visit their website for more information.

Some down sleeping bag companies may offer their own cleaning services, like FeatheredFriends.com, so check with your bag’s manufacturer and see if they offer this.

Restoring the DWR (Durable Water Repellant) of your down sleeping bag)

With age, your sleeping bag will lose its DWR finish. Washing it will only speed up the loss. To restore your bag’s water repellency, you can purchase a DWR restoration product. Some cleaners also help to restore DWR. Make sure to always follow the product’s application instructions for the best results.

Storing a down sleeping bag

Storing a down sleeping bag appropriately is also very important to its lifespan. Always hang your down bag when not on the trail instead of leaving it compressed inside your backpack. Most bags will come with a storage bag that you can hang your down bag in, protecting it from contaminates while allowing the down to breath and stay fluffed.

Get the longest life from your down sleeping bag

With proper maintenance and care, you are sure to have many years of use from your down sleeping bag. If your bag ever seems like it doesn’t have as much loft as it used to, you can try placing it in your dryer with a couple of tennis balls, or it may just need a full washing. And always be sure to hang your bag when you’re not on the trail. Keep these tips in mind so that your down sleeping bag will be with you for many years to come.

And if you are a potential new owner to a down sleeping bag, check out my Top 10 Recommendations for an Ultralight Sleeping Bag or Quilt.

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