cleaning down sleeping bags..

U

uitlander

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Sep 8, 2004
Messages
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My brother and niece are borrowing some of my kit for a weeks camping in February..My question is .. is dry cleaning down bags recommended/usefull for loft? I did a search but didna find an answer and would like to know what the more experienced campers say. My memory tells me it is even recommended but I want to be sure.
Any feedback appreciated so thx
cheers
 
Dry cleaning is OK (just OK) if the cleaner uses "Stoddard's Solvent" and you have time (and a place) to air it out very well after cleaning. There are some other, much nastier, cleaning solvents out there that are harder on the down AND not recommended for a sleeping companion. :eek:

I simply soak mine in the bath tub with a laundry detergent that contains enzymes -- then soak it in several changes of water to get the soap out. No wringing, just press. Seems to work well, if a little time-intensive. [Of course, you can combine laundry with a shower. :D ]

OT but: Never dry good clean polyester insulated bags. It takes the silicon coating off the better, branded polyester insulation.
 
All the Major down sleeping bag manufactuerers advise AGAINST drycleaning.

read these:

http://www.featheredfriends.com/customer_service/down_feed.aspx

http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text...7907&CONTENT<>cnt_id=9623&bmUID=1107294885883

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Lea...Id=Camping&url=rei/learn/camp/clslbagcare.jsp

http://www.thru-hiker.com/articles.asp?subcat=5&cid=52

I have read other info from various manufactures and it is more or less the same. One difference is that many others advize againt putting balls or shoes in the drier with your bag. If you have a brand-name bag, check to see what the manufacturer recomends.

Do a google search on washing down sleeping bags, you will get many hits. Also check some of the big companies websites:

western mountaineering
feathered friends (link above)
marmot
north face
...to name a few

Nikwax sell a special soap you can try for washing down.
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=49914&memberId=12500226

several points:

never use a machine with an agitator, it will rip the baffles that hold the down. Don't ring the bag either, it can damage the down nad rip the baffles.

be careful carrying a water saturated down bag, the weight of the water in the down can rip the baffles.

Don't try to only air dry the bag, it will take too long and may mildue.

-Will
 
Will said:
All the Major down sleeping bag manufactuerers advise AGAINST drycleaning.

-Will
Click to expand...

It must be that the chlorinated solvents have so throughly replaced the older solvents that it is simply not practical to look to dry cleaning any more. My down bag is 25 years old (much care in hand washing!) and its label actually recommends dry-cleaning as an alternative to "front-loading washer." That was then. Sadly, this is now.

Strongly second the warning against agitator washers. They tear up down and polyester insulated bags faster than teething puppies.
 
Yes a Nikwax soap for down sleeping bags and either light wash cycle or bathtub... It's not hard to wash the bag but it is hard to handle it when wet and dry it out without creating clumps of down or riping interior chambers which keep down evenly distributed.

Matt
 
Thanks to all and especially Will for timely answers. They're not going to the end of the month so there is time for slow bathtub thing. I am close to MEC so I will look there for Nikwax or something similar.
cheers
 
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