A down sleeping bag is a must-have if you’re into lightweight backpacking. It’s encouraging to know that, with care, it can serve you for many years.
Never put your bag back into its stuff pouch to keep it looking new. The pack will lose its loft if it is compressed for too long. Please keep it in a large cotton bag and store it in a dry area. You can fold it or hang it in a closet to save space. Never put your purse anywhere that could trap water. This can cause moisture buildup and mildew growth. Keep down away from direct sources of heat, as this could cause the oils to escape. After each outing, let your bag air out until it is scorched before putting it away.
Maintaining loft and dryness in your backpack requires daily airing out. If you need to stay calm, try standing upside down in the sunshine. You can stuff a sleeping bag repeatedly without damaging it. Reduce the strain on your backpack by not employing a compression stuff sack or even the smallest stuff sack available. Sleeping bags should never be rolled. The down and fabric can better withstand being stuffed. If you want to get all the air out of your bag before closing it, put your foot in first. Stuff the bag evenly by pressing it into the bottom of the stuff sack. The stitching is spared some strain in this way. Less pressure will be placed on the bag, and the hem of the stuff sack if you press against your thigh or the ground as you stuff.
Every night when you come to camp, take the sleeping bag out of its stuff sack to let it air out and gain loft. Take it out of the pack in a slow, steady motion. Do not pull on it or put a strain on the seams. To prevent premature deterioration of the bag’s fabric, avoid leaving it in direct sunlight except when dried.
If you want your bag to last as long as possible without being washed too frequently, keep it clean. Don’t ever put your bag down flat. Use a ground cloth instead of a tent. The tent floor and sleeping mat should always be kept clean. Sleep in clean clothes. This shields the down from potentially damaging trail grime, body oils, sweat, and lotions.
A sleeping bag liner is an option if regular clothing is too restricting or cumbersome. You can find them in as little as four ounces of cotton, polyester, or silk. They make your bag a touch cozier as well. You can easily prepare for your next journey by washing your clothes after each.
To reduce the frequency of washings, quickly wipe up any minor spills or stains using a moist towel. Colors can be treated individually with soap or a cleaning solvent. To get rid of tar or tree sap, use a solvent. Take the blanket off the area you’re working on.
Always go to the manufacturer’s guidelines when cleaning your sleeping bag due to excessive odor, dirt, or loss of loft. You may have a clean bag and return to the attic by following a few easy steps.
Never dry clean your bag because doing so can remove the natural oils from the down filling. The down cannot be cleaned well by dry cleaning, and the fluids from the process sit in the bag.
The inside of your bag is probably dirtier than the outside. Therefore, you should wash it inside out. Closing every zipper is a must. If you have a baffle-style washing machine, you should never use a top-loading or agitator model. Use only front-loading washing machines if you must. Tricot baffles, instead of no-see-um netting baffles, give bags a significant strength advantage. Utilize mild and cool wash cycles.
It is recommended that all down sleeping bags be washed by hand in a tub or bathtub for maximum safety. Mild soaps like Ivory Flakes or Woolite are OK to use, but harsh detergents are not. Do not use any bleach or softener. Since you’ve spent much time and money on your bag, cleaning it with a product designed specifically for down is in your best interest.
Prepare a hot bath by filling the tub. Don’t go overboard with the down cleaner. One of your primary goals should be to wash it all down the drain. Your backpack can get wholly submerged in water inside its contents sack. This way, you won’t struggle to rise to the surface while fighting air-filled baffles because the air has already been driven out of the bag. Take the bag out of the bag and knead the soapy water through it carefully. Focus on cleaning the grimiest parts, like the hands and feet. The cleanser can be applied directly to problem areas. Don’t assume the down cleaner will eliminate all the stains. Soak the bag for at least 15 minutes and up to an hour. More than one change of soapy water may be required; however, this should be avoided if possible. Repeated rinsing with clean water will ensure that all traces of soap have been removed. Even when using minimal amounts of soap, I’ve rinsed ten times or more, despite the recommendation of some manufacturers. All of the soap must be removed. Rinse the tub out entirely after each use. When your luggage is drenched, and at its heaviest, you should exercise extreme caution when dragging or moving it. It’s possible to rip apart the stitching or the baffles inside. I like to knead the soap in and rinse the water by carefully lifting the huge mesh bag containing the sleeping bag. After each rinse, press on your bag to remove the water, but don’t wring it out. If you use a front-loading washer to clean your bag, put it through another cycle without soap to remove any remaining suds.
Carefully transfer your bag to the washing machine after the last rinse. To reduce drying time and maximize water removal, look for a washing machine that lets you employ the final spin cycle. For this step, a top-loading washer can accommodate the bag adequately. The bag can be carefully rolled into a ball or carried in a mesh bag when transferred from the bathtub to the washing machine. You can use a large pillowcase or roll it into a plastic laundry basket.
Although home dryers are discouraged by certain manufacturers, providing yours has a low heat setting, no hot spots, and no sharp edges that could harm the shell fabric, you should be alright. Dry in the dryer using the most relaxed setting. Two to four hours is possible for this. Down tends to bunch up throughout the washing process. If you see any bumps while you dry, gently massage them, and give yourself some extra time to dry. Two or three clean tennis balls could be added to the mix to help with the down.
To review the fundamentals:
Clean in a tub of hot water or a front-loading washer
Do not tug or stress the bag while wet; rinse well; dry entirely; clean with down cleaner.
You may get many years of use out of your sleeping bag if you wash it regularly and take care of it.
Hiker Steve Green of hikelight.com has spent 40 years perfecting his methods for carrying only the essentials.
Read also: https://twothirds.org/category/travel/
