Washing a Down Sleeping Bag.

Diomedes Industries

Diomedes Industries

Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
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1) Use a bag wash that is specially made for sleeping bags - or some Woolite. You essentially want a non-detergent style soap that does not take the oil off the feathers.

2) Use a front loading washer. Put it on the delicate cycle.

3) Set the washer to spin cycle a few extra times. If you can - set the spin cycle on the slowest setting.

4) Use a front loading drier - set it on low (delicates) and run it for about 15 minutes. Take the bag out and try and fluff up the bag. Do this every fifteen minutes until the down stops clumping up and is fluffy.

5) Some say that tossing in a few clean tennis balls into the drier will help fluff up the bag.

6) Take your time on the dry cycle - you want to make sure it is dry. As long as the heat is not to high - and you don't let the bag sit (make sure to pull the bag out while the dryer is still tumbling) - you can let it run for a very long time.

I ran mine for almost 3 hours until I was satisfied.

7) You don't have to do this very often - but you can return a lot of the loft in a bag and take the smell out.

TF
 
I was hesitant to get a down bag until the very attractive and earthy young lady at EMS told me to do just as you said. I took her advice and grabbed a nice 20 degree one, but I'm glad to have your input as well.:D
 
Very good mate I will try that with my down bag for sure. :thumbup:

One of my favourite items of gear I ever picked up was a silk sleeping bag liner, every few days when the sun is out just lay it out in the sun to sanitize, it saves your he-stench and filth from impregnating yer nice sleeping bag and helps fight the funk. + comfy!
 
I hand wash in the bath then hang to dry and shake to stop clumping, you need to get rid of the oils that come out of your skin as this weighs the feathers down and stops them lofting and hence trapping warm air in them.
Best damn sleeping bags are down IMO, just need to keep them dry (and clean).
 
akabu said:
Shampoo works on silk/wool/ feathers ...Cheap!
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I'm just curious, why not use something specifically made for down? They aren't that expensive and a good down bag certainly is, I just don't see this as a place to cut corners.
 
BlackHills said:
I'm just curious, why not use something specifically made for down? They aren't that expensive and a good down bag certainly is, I just don't see this as a place to cut corners.
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I tend to agree. You need to use a full soap / non detergent. You don't want to remove the natural oils of the feathers. Woolite works because it is made for wool and does not remove its oil.

TF
 
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