How to Clean a Sleeping Bag
There’s nothing like climbing into a cozy sleeping bag stretched out atop a good, thick sleeping pad laid out beneath the dome of your trusty tent, for a long night. Note that I don’t necessarily say a long night’s rest: even the warmest sleeping bag, the plushest air mat, and the best tent you can get hardly ensure a good night of sleep, which can be hard to come by when you’re camping.
But with the best sleeping gear at the ready, at least you have a chance for slumber. That is, provided you have taken good care of your camp slumber stuff, and when it comes to your sleeping bag, that means keeping it clean. Because not only will a properly cleaned sleeping bag be more comfortable and inviting, but it will also last longer and perform better than a bag that’s thoughtlessly stuffed back in its sack damp, soiled, and generally uncared for.
Clearly you would never do that, though – after all, you’re thoughtful enough to be here reading about this sleeping bag cleaning primer right now! So let’s get to it.
How Often Do You Need to Clean a Sleeping Bag?
First things first: you don’t need to wash your sleeping bag all that often, not unless it gets particularly soiled (spilled soup or glass of wine or leaky tent and such) or you use it a lot more than most of us do. Provided you are a generally clean person and it’s not so hot you are sweating through it, most casual campers can probably get away with washing a sleeping bag only once a year, giving it a good, thorough cleaning after the last use of the year.
If you use a sleeping bag nightly for more than a few days, especially in conditions that leave you a bit less than pristine each day, then it’s probably a good idea to wash it at the end of that longer adventure.
And in general, if you ever detect odors or see evidence of any mildew or mold or such, then yeah, time to wash the sleeping bag.
Spot Cleaning a Sleeping Bag
Whenever possible, you should spot clean a sleeping bag, and that’s true whether it has a down fill or a synthetic insulation material. You can make a sleeping bag cleaning solution by mixing equal parts water and non-detergent soap (a soap without a petroleum or artificial oil base, e.g.) and gently scrubbing at any soiled spots with an old toothbrush or a bit of rag.
Try to keep the shell material pulled away from the fill as you spot clean your sleeping bag, then use a bit of extra water to lift out the soap. Finally, hang the bag to dry and that’s that. Unless more cleaning is called for, but note that you may want to spot clean heavily soiled areas before proceeding anyway.
Cleaning a Down Sleeping Bag in the Washing Machine
Yes, it’s OK to wash a down-filled sleeping bag in a washing machine (just not in any washing machine – see below for things to avoid when washing sleeping bags) provided you use the right soaps and settings.
Always check any washing instructions on sleeping bag tags (or that can be found via the manufacturer), but a gentle cycle using a laundry soap like Grangers Wash + Repel Down 2-in-1 or Nikwax Down Wash Direct should be all you need. Just note that it’s often a good idea to run a rinse cycle, or an entire wash cycle without soap added, if the bag still seems sudsy when washed.
Hand Washing a Down Sleeping Bag
To hand wash a down sleeping bag, such as you may want to with older, more delicate bags or need to based on logistics, fill a bathtub (or washtub) a few inches deep with lukewarm water, then stir in a couple ounces of one of the same soaps mentioned above.
Gently work the length of the bag with your fingers (or even your feet) then drain the basin and press (or gently stomp) the liquid out of the bag as best you can. Then refill the tub with clean water and repeat the process without soap to get all the suds out. And maybe then rinse once more. And make sure to really press – and then roll and press – the bag before you move on to the actual drying phase, getting out as much water as you can. But don’t wring a sleeping bag out, per say, as that can tear it.
Cleaning a Synthetic Insulation Sleeping Bag in the Washing Machine
To wash a sleeping bag with synthetic insulation in a washing machine, follow the exact same steps as above, just use a cleaner like Nikwax Tech Wash or Gear Aid Revivex Pro Cleaner Wash instead of a down wash.
Hand Washing a Sleeping Bag with Synthetic Insulation
Cleaning a sleeping bag with synthetic fill by hand again follows the same steps as hand washing a down bag albeit with those different soaps.
How to Dry a Wet Sleeping Bag
Just as most sleeping bags can go in the washing machine, so too can most modern sleeping bags go in the dryer. Again, heed labels and manufacturer’s recommendations, but know that in most cases it’s fine to dry a sleeping bag on low heat setting in a home or commercial laundromat’s dryer.
When the drying cycle is about halfway complete, ideally you can add in several large wool dryer balls, or if you don’t have those, a few tennis balls or even a couple of clean sneakers wrapped in pillow cases: these solid objects will help break up clumps of damp insulation, spreading the fill back out evenly and helping ensure through drying.
Even after a sleeping bag comes out of the dryer, it’s a good idea to hang it out for a full day or even more before you stow it, as any trapped moisture will lead to mold or mildew and odors and such later.
And of course you can hang a sleeping bag out to dry as the only drying method, just know that it needs to be hung in warm to mild conditions, ideally with plenty of airflow.
When you hang a bag out to dry (or finish drying), make sure its weight is as evenly distributed as possible, draping it across a pair of clothing lines (or branches or chair backs) or laying it out on clean, dry grass or on a pair of dry towels, ideally in the sunshine.
Things to Avoid When Cleaning Sleeping Bags
There’s a reason we recommended a couple of very specific cleaning products to use on sleeping bags: other products can damage your bag! Even standard laundry detergents can be bad for down or for the shell material, and things like bleach or fabric softener? Even worse.
Also, never have a sleeping bag dry cleaned. The harsh chemicals used by a dry cleaner can ruin a sleeping bag.
Never pick up a wet sleeping bag that’s not rolled up or tucked into a bag or basket, as the weight of the wet bag can stretch or tear seams – remember to distribute its weight as noted above.
And finally, never put a sleeping bag in a washing machine with a central agitator (that sticky-up column thing in a top loader) or force it into a washing machine that’s too small, as both of those scenarios can lead to rips and tears. Also, don’t jam it into a dryer that’s too small, as that can be asking for uneven drying at best, melted swaths of fabric as worse, or a fire as worst of all.
