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Step 1
Keep a sleeping bag clean when camping by using a tent to prevent dirt from collecting on it. At the very least, lay it on top of a waterproof ground cloth to help keep the bottom of the sleeping bag from getting dirty.
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Step 2
Protect the interior of a sleeping bag as well by preventing it from absorbing oils from your skin, especially if the sleeping bag is filled with down. Use a bag liner or sleep in long underwear, pajamas or a nightshirt to keep from transferring body oils to the interior of a sleeping bag.
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Step 3
Spot clean a sleeping bag to remove stains and prevent unnecessary wear on it from complete washings. However, if it needs a complete washing, hand-wash the sleeping bag in a bathtub. Synthetic and down sleeping bags can be washed this way using a gentle, non-detergent soap. Gently work the soap into the bag and rinse it several times until all the soap is removed, and dry it at a laundromat.
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Step 4
Take a sleeping bag to a laundromat to wash it if you have a top-loading washing machine with an agitator at home. Wash and dry the bag in the largest front-loading washer and dryer in the laundromat. Some manufacturers say both synthetic and down sleeping bags can be washed in a machine; however, carefully follow the manufacturers instructions if you choose this method.
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Step 5
Air out a sleeping bag after it's used to make sure it's dry and free of debris before it's stored. Store it in a large, cotton bag, which allows air to circulate through the sleeping bag. Plastic storage bags can allow condensation and mildew to form, and storing the bag compressed in a stuff sack can eventually flatten it, ruining the loft.
