How to Machine Wash a Down Sleeping Bag

Foul-smelling cooking fires and dirt can necessitate washing your down sleeping bag.

You don't have to try hard to dirty a sleeping bag while camping. Sleeping in your hiking clothes, improperly insulating your sleeping bag from moisture and dirt and general wear can soil the lining and down filling. Professional cleaning by a down feather expert can be expensive, and you shouldn't send your sleeping bag to the dry cleaners because of damaging chemical solvents. Washing your down sleeping bag yourself isn't difficult, but it does require more care and time than washing your favorite sweatshirt. Prevent flattening the down filling by washing your sleeping bag only once per year before storage.

Things You'll Need

• Mild laundry detergent
• Dryer

Instructions

1. Shake out any excess debris and place your down sleeping bag inside of a front-loading washing machine. Do not use a top-loading, agitator-style washing machine, which can loosen the stitching.

2. Add 1/4 cup of mild laundry detergent into the designated slot. Do not add softener or bleach, which can damage the down. Many camping and outdoor stores also sell detergents made specifically for washing down.

3. Turn the washing dial to "gentle cycle" and select cool water for both washing and rinsing. The delicate nature of down requires you to use only the most gentle options for machine washing.

4. Transfer to the down sleeping bag to the dryer immediately after the machine completes the wash cycle. Turn the drying dial to "low tumble" or "fluff dry" while using a low-heat or no-heat setting. Unlike air-drying, gentle machine drying prevents down feathers from clumping. Check the sleeping bag every 10 minutes to avoid overdrying. Because of the necessary low-heat method, drying the down sleeping bag can take several hours.

5. Remove the sleeping bag from the dryer when the down feels fluffy again and completely dry. Promptly store the sleeping bag in the large, breathable storage sack included with purchase. Avoid using a compression bag for storage, which will eventually flatten the down.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if you dirty your sleeping bag while camping, always keep it dry whenever possible, especially before compressing or storing. Exposing a down sleeping bag to moisture can cause mold, flatten the down and reduce the insulating capacity of the sleeping bag.

References

• REI Expert Advice: Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
• L.L. Bean: Sleeping Bags - Care and Storage