cleaning a sleeping bag?

[fm]

Last night I was laying in bed thinking about hunting instead of going to sleep and realized I should wash my hunting sleeping bag. To many late nights getting in and not cleaning up first. How have you guys and gals cleaned your bags without wrecking them. I remember when my kids were little and we went camping they all ways seemed to spill something on a bag and we washed one in the washer and the insides pulled apart and it was all lumpy afterwards . A good sleeping bag is not cheep to replace. Kind of a strange topic but thanks for any input.

FM

[elkaholic]

Some dry cleaners clean sleeping bags. Takes a little longer than shirts or pants but they do a good job. I have to take mine in the next week or so.

[Huntography]

Just washed my Wiggy's sleeping bag.

Cold water. Low agitation. Hunting soap with a bit of Nikwax for waterproofing.

Then put it in the dryer on low.

Came out just fine.

But, you should check with the manufacturer first on what they recommend.

Rudy


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[mtnmutt]

Down or synthetic?

For either, throw 2 dry large towels in dryer and 3 tennis balls (clean ones ) Better to use a commercial washer and dryer. Follow instructions on label.

For down, I buy specially labeled for Down washing. My down cleaner came from thecompanystore.com but I have also used Nikwax version.

[cnelk]

I take my winter bag [November rifle hunt] down to the laundromat to wash - about every other year

My mummy bags get hosed down and hung on the line or fence

[pointysticks]

If it isn't too funky I just open it up to some sunlight. Funk? It gets tossed in a coin op, gigantic machine. My home dryer can handle a lone bag. I do the tennis ball thing. Haven't leashed my kifaru yet.

[fm]

Thanks everyone. It will be a laundromat trip for this one. Are the tennis balls and towels to keep the fibers inside from balling up?

[mtnmutt]

Towels will help it dry faster: less quarters

Tennis balls break up the clumps.

Good luck.

[Moose-head]

The tennis balls can leach out some of their dye into whatever they are in with. I learned this when I cleaned my wifes new white down comforter

[WindedBowhunter]

fm if you have a good down bag like Valandre, they recommend that you send it to them to clean. This ensures that the bag is cleaned correctly and they can mend any minor repairs!

[RockChucker30]

I've got a Western Mountaineering bag. Here's what they say about washing / drying:

At some point you'll need to clean your bag. Don't let this frighten you! The best way is to hand wash it in a bath tub or you can use a front loading washing machine. Never use a top loading or agitator machine as this can damage the baffle construction. Only use a soap especially prepared for down products. Dry cleaning is not recommended since the solvents can strip away natural oils contained in the down.

When you hand wash, fill the tub with warm water, add down soap and put the bag in the tub. A tip here is to keep your bag in its stuff sack and put the whole thing underwater. That way air has already been forced out of the bag and you won't have to fight air filled baffles floating to the surface. A Gore Windstopper bag should first be turned inside out before being put into the tub. Carefully pull the bag from its stuff sack and gently knead the soapy water through the bag.

It may be necessary to change the soapy water more than once, but don't over do it. When you are satisfied that your bag is clean be prepared to rinse it with clear water several times. It is important that all of the soap is removed from the down before it is dried. If in doubt rinse again; five or more rinses are not uncommon. Do not wring water from your sleeping bag, instead drain the tub and then roll the bag up tightly and carefully to remove all of the water. Use both hands (and caution) when picking the sleeping bag up, as it may be heavy from any water still trapped inside the baffle chambers. A washing machine that will allow you to select additional spin cycles will remove more water and save dryer time. Find a large dryer with good heat control, and set to low heat. Be sure there are no nicks, burrs, or other sharp items inside the dryer that may damage the shell fabric on your bag. Feel around inside the dryer with your hand to be certain. Once you begin drying, watch for hot spots on the dryer drum that could melt the nylon shell. If in doubt use the no heat setting. A couple of clean tennis balls tossed in with the bag will help break up clumps of down and give you something to look at. Be careful! Don't just tumble your bag till it feels dry, that may not be enough. Carefully feel the down insulation. If you still feel lumps, no matter how small, then your down is still wet! Break a twenty and add more quarters. It may take two or more hours depending on your bag, but you will have a clean sleeping bag back to its original loft.