How Do You Wash a Mummy Sleeping Bag?

Wash a mummy style sleeping bag with care.

Many people prefer a mummy-style sleeping bag for camping while hiking and backpacking. If the bag becomes dirty due to normal outdoor use, you can clean it yourself. Cleaning a mummy sleeping bag requires paying attention to the material used as insulation. Proper cleaning involves stain removal while at the same time managing the fill so that the bag continues to perform as designed.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine
• Gentle non detergent soap
• Cold water
• Bathtub
• Dryer
• Clothes line

Instructions

Front Load Washing Machine

1. Determine if the sleeping bag can be washed in a front load machine. Read the product label and refer to literature included with the bag at the time of purchase for information.

2. Set the controls on a front loading washing machine to the gentle cycle and cold water. Add gentle non-detergent soap to the machine

3. Load a synthetic or down-filled mummy sleeping bag into the front load washer. Distribute the bag evenly in the machine.

4. Allow the bag to wash through the entire cycle. Set the controls on the machine to run through the rinse cycle two additional times to remove as much of the soap as possible.

Bathtub Washing

1. Fill a bathtub half full with warm water. Do not use hot water for washing the sleeping bag.

2. Add gentle non-detergent soap to the water and mix in thoroughly by hand.

3. Place the down or synthetic fill sleeping bag in the bathtub. Work the soap into the mummy sleeping bag and pay attention to areas of heavy dirt. Leave the bag to soak for 15 minutes.

4. Drain the warm soapy water from the tub and squeeze as much water out of the bag as possible.

5. Fill the tub half full with cold water and rinse the bag to remove soap. Drain the tub and squeeze out the water. Repeat the process until all of the soap is removed.

Drying the Mummy Sleeping Bag

1. Hang the mummy sleeping bag on a clothesline, if possible. Spread the bag out evenly. Check periodically to fluff and distribute the fill in the bag. Pay particular attention to down filled bags to prevent clumping.

2. Place the down or synthetic fill bag in a dryer set to low or no heat. Monitor the bag closely to make sure the heat doesn't damage the bag.

3. Place two or three clean tennis balls in the dryer when a down fill bag is drying to help break up any clumps of down and evenly distribute the fill.

References

• REI: Sleeping Bag Care