A down sleeping bag is considered the epitome of coziness for many outdoor enthusiasts. No wonder. After all, our ultralight down sleeping bag and our 3-season sleeping bag (Down Pro 3 Season) offer maximum comfort. But what about cleaning the sleeping bag? What should you pay attention to when washing? We will explore these questions in the following blog post.
How do I prepare my sleeping bag for washing?
Every sleeping bag needs a wash from time to time. But as with many things in life, the motto here is: less is more. If you want to freshen up your outdoor sleeping place, you should consider a few things BEFORE washing. Go through the following checklist carefully to extend the life of your sleeping bag:
- Can you identify any damage?
- Close all fastenings carefully. (Except for drawstrings, these should remain open.)
- Turn your sleeping bag inside out so that the inner part faces outwards. This way, the water can penetrate the inside without being blocked by the membrane.
This membrane protects you from moisture in the wild. However, when washing, we need the water to reach the inner core. Only then will everything be nice and clean.
How do I best wash my sleeping bag?
Even though the most curious rumors about the right wash circulate on the internet, you should not wash your sleeping bag in the washing machine.
This primarily applies to models with down filling. These clump together in the machine and make your down sleeping bag look old in the truest sense of the word.
Expert Tip: The good news for all synthetic fiber fans - these models can also be cleaned in the washing machine.
Washing a down sleeping bag
As you know, a down sleeping bag has no place in the washing machine. If you want to clean your equipment, we recommend hand washing. And here's how it goes:
1. Fill the bathtub or a large washing basin with lukewarm water.
2. Add some delicate detergent or special detergent for functional textiles.
3. Place your down sleeping bag in the tub and submerge it.
4. Gently massage the wash water in and let it soak for up to 60 minutes.
5. Rinse your down sleeping bag under running water.
6. Then carefully squeeze it out. Avoid wringing and similar actions to prevent damaging your down sleeping bag.
7. Lay it out to dry. In good weather, you can spread your sleeping bag outside in the shade (!) on a drying rack.
Wash synthetic sleeping bag
You can also clean your synthetic sleeping bag by hand wash as described above.
The sleeping bag cleaning is also possible in the washing machine:
Step 1:
Put your (!) synthetic sleeping bag in the washing machine without any other laundry.
Step 2:
Additionally, place four tennis balls in the drum.
Step 3:
Fill the designated compartment with delicate detergent or outdoor detergent. Please consistently avoid fabric softener. Your sleeping bag does not like it at all.
Step 4:
Unless otherwise stated (see label), wash the synthetic sleeping bag at 30 degrees in the gentle or delicate wash program.
Step 5:
Then select the rinse program once more to carefully remove all detergent residues.
How often do I need to wash my sleeping bag?
To avoid excessively wearing out your sleeping bag, you should wash it as infrequently as possible. Because with every wash, the material and loft suffer.
Expert tip: A sleeping bag should only be washed after at least 50 uses.
To avoid odors, you should thoroughly air out your outdoor sleeping place after each use.
Light soiling can also be removed in a tried-and-true manner with a damp cloth.
How do I dry my sleeping bag after washing?
When drying, the material of your sleeping bag also plays a crucial role. A synthetic sleeping bag must NOT go in the dryer . You should spread these models on a clothes rack after washing.
Since a wet sleeping bag gains quite a bit of weight, drying in the fresh air takes relatively long. Depending on the weather, it can take several days.
A down sleeping bag, on the other hand, is suitable for a dryer. However, it should first dry outdoors for a few hours to allow as much water as possible to escape.
Afterwards, the sleeping bag may and should be placed in the dryer. Here, the down can distribute optimally. However, make sure to use a low temperature to avoid damage.
What characterizes the sleeping bag models?
Our popular sleeping bag models are characterized by their light weight and optimal heat performance. Especially our ultra-light down sleeping bag is an absolute lightweight at 490 g.
However, its comfort range is also higher, meaning at 10–14 °C. This makes the down sleeping bag perfect for mild summer nights and outdoor enthusiasts who get warm quickly.
Our three-season sleeping bag is the ideal companion for the entire year. The comfort zone of this sleeping bag is at 4°C, with a limit at 0°C. It also stands out due to its light weight of 900 g compared to other sleeping bags.
- Both models are lightweight, warm, and have a small pack size.
- The down fillings of both sleeping bags are certified with the RDS (Responsible Down Standard).
Sleeping bag care after washing
Not only after cleaning the sleeping bag, but also after use, every model requires careful handling. Therefore, we recommend regular airing after use.
To avoid mold formation, you should never store your sleeping bag in a wet state.
A compact stuff sack is included with all our models. Here you can store your sleeping bag cool and dry. It's best to choose a cool but dry place, such as your storage room or closet.
In the damp cellar, your sleeping bag is not well placed.
Conclusion
Regardless of the model, you should wash your sleeping bag as rarely as possible. If you regularly air it out and remove light dirt by hand, you will extend the lifespan of your sleeping bag.
If your equipment does need to be washed, we recommend hand washing for down sleeping bags. You can clean synthetic fiber models in the washing machine. However, for safety, also pay attention to the care instructions on the label.
FAQ
What detergent is suitable for a synthetic fiber sleeping bag?
For a synthetic fiber sleeping bag, it is best to use special outdoor or delicate detergent.
Do I need to wash a new sleeping bag before first use?
No. We use only high-quality raw materials and fibers for the production of our outdoor equipment. Therefore, no washing is necessary before first use.
How much does a sleeping bag cleaning cost?
Of course, you can also have your sleeping bag professionally cleaned. Prices vary between 40 and 70 €. The higher price applies if you choose the luxury option. In this case, the cover and down are cleaned separately.
It remains interesting - keep reading :)