How to properly wash a sleeping bag in the washing machine and by hand, is it possible

Camping conditions contribute to the rapid contamination of objects and clothing. Sleeping bags are no exception. After a short period of use, stains appear on the surface of the sleeping bag, the interior shines, acquires an unpleasant smell. The question arises of the need to wash. Consider how to properly wash your sleeping bag to keep it looking and feeling warm away from a hot house.

How it works

Sleeping bags help survive cold nights in nature, create comfortable conditions for sleeping. Available in several types:

1. Cocoon. Takes up a minimum of space, the shape corresponds to the contours of the body (shrinks downwards). Has a hood, fits the body well.
2. Cover type (rectangular). More comfortable to sleep, you can roll over. Hood can be included. Takes up more space, is heavier, more difficult to carry when hiking.
3. Combined. Combination of a rectangular shape and a hood.

Sleeping bags are made of natural or synthetic fabric. Synthetics, by tradition, are more durable, lightweight and, therefore, more expensive. For insulation, two types of filling are used - fluff, synthetic materials.

For a sleeping bag, the following characteristics are the most important:

• good thermal insulation;
• facilitate;
• the ability to shrink well, occupying a minimum of space, and to expand quickly, becoming fluffy and soft.

Important parts of a sleeping bag:

• seam holding stuffing (necessarily blind);
• hood, place for a pillow;
• high-quality zipper with anti-puncture protection and closing valve against cold air;
• inside pocket.

The upper fabric of the sleeping bag is impregnated with solutions that repel moisture, dirt and protect against wind and condensation.

The padding helps preserve body heat, forms a pleasant layer between the body and the ground and acts as a mattress.

Important: in order to preserve the protective and warming properties of a sleeping bag, it should only be washed when absolutely necessary.

What is filling

Sleeping bag warmers are made of down or synthetic materials, they are treated with special compounds. These impregnations (eg silicone) coat the fibers with a thin layer which prevents them from piling up and sticking.

Down

Natural down provides reliable protection against the cold. It is worth buying a down sleeping bag for people who spend the night in extreme conditions, in freezing temperatures.

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Down dries badly; regardless of the method of treatment, it retains bacteria which may begin to multiply. With prolonged humidity, the filler may rot. A well-maintained down sleeping bag will last for years.

Sintepon

Popular filler for economy sleeping bags. Keeps warm reliably, spreads well, does not stick during use and storage. Drying such bags is easier and faster, they are not threatened by rotting of the load. In terms of warmth, they are close to fluffy.

Why not wash

Consider the main arguments made by manufacturers against washing sleeping bags:

• rapid aging of the product, reduced wear resistance;
• the top layer of moisture protection is washed off;
• the filler shrinks, becomes less lush and soft, as a result - it warms up worse;
• the protective impregnation of the filling fibers comes off.

It is recommended to use local dry cleaning, not washing (including an automatic machine), which does not alter the thermal insulation properties of the product.

What do manufacturers write about washing

Sleeping bags are labeled with proper care instructions to ensure long, trouble-free use.

Ventilate after each use

Aeration helps eliminate odor and moisture absorbed from a cold night. After use, the sleeping bag is hung up to cool off in a dry place.

Washing only as a last resort

It is not necessary to wash the sleeping bag often, only in case of heavy pollution. With light use - no more than once a year.

If possible, use only hand wash or top loading washing machine. To keep the load intact, it's best to use hand wash or the washing machine's delicate mode. Top-loading machines are not popular in our country, most tourists use conventional front-loading domestic machines.

Use a laundry bag

The wash bags protect the sleeping bag from the aggressive effects of the drum, prevent tearing and damage.

The sleeping bag must be tied before washing.

All sleeping bag zippers are closed and secured before washing. This protects the fabric and the zippers themselves.

A mild soap solution as a detergent

Chemicals destroy the protective layer of fabrics and padding. It is recommended to wash your sleeping bag in a simple soap solution.

Mandatory rinsing at the end of washing

By rinsing the detergents, you can restore the load to its natural state. Splendor and sweetness will be found. The machines use an extra rinse.

Anti-stains and drops - a sponge with soapy water

Stains and water marks formed during operation can be removed from the sleeping bag with a sponge and soapy water. You may be able to avoid washing yourself this way.

Do not wring and unscrew a wet sleeping bag.

If the sleeping bag is very damp, it should not be rolled up and wrung out.It is necessary to press lightly without twisting so that the water comes out, and to extend to dry.

Can only be dried in high volume dryers

Drying the sleeping bag is possible only without excessive compression and deformation. The dryer should have a large volume so that the bag does not have to be pushed into it.

Should only dry flat

The vertical drying rack for sleeping bags is not used so that the load does not sag under its own weight. A wet sleeping bag is laid out on a horizontal surface - a net or mesh is preferable.

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Decoding product pictograms

Sleeping bag labels establish rules and regulations for product care. This will prolong the life of your beloved sleeping bag and retain its warming properties.

Wash at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees

The recommended temperature index for washing is not higher than 30°.

Do not use bleach, do not use detergents containing chlorine

The choice of detergents is limited - no chlorine or other bleaching agents.

Do not iron

Do not use an iron to smooth creases and creases, heating up is contraindicated.

Dry cleaning prohibited

Dry cleaning is not recommended for sleeping bags.

Dry only at low temperature

Dry sleeping bags at low temperatures - up to 60°.

Selection of special detergents

Using good quality gels will help you wash your heavily soiled sleeping bag.

Nikwax Down Wash

Wash sleeping bags well. Does not damage the down, does not destroy the water-repellent layer. The putty does not stick, does not settle. Dissolves dirt, sweat, grease.

Granger's Down Cleaner

The Granger company produces, in addition to detergents, impregnations for the protection of travel products and equipment. It washes sleeping bags well with down, other fillers and membrane materials.

ReviveX Down Cleaner

Used to wash and clean sleeping bags. The drug is applied to the dirty areas, then in the water while washing.

Cotico

Low foaming gel is used to wash sleeping bags. Effectively removes all dirt, does not damage the membrane layers and the water-repellent layer.

Toko Eco Down Wash

Concentrated detergent for synthetic or down sleeping bags. Contains special ingredients to loosen fillers.

Heitmann special lava

German production gel for washing sports clothes and equipment. Used for sleeping bags with synthetic filling.

Automatic wash

The automatic machine is able to cope with any type of pollution. Washing tips:

• free the sleeping bag from debris, dust, remove stains;
• turn the product over, close all zippers;
• the sleeping bag should fit freely into the drum, without squeezing or squeezing;
• to reduce bulk, you can pre-soak the sleeping bag and wait until most of the water drains out.

Load a container or drum with detergent suitable for the type of sleeping bag.

Mode selection

For a sleeping bag, choose a delicate or hand washing mode (drum rotation speed - 400-600 revolutions).

Spinning

The sleeping bag is washed with the spin mode off. After the washing is finished, it is best to leave it in the drum for 20-30 minutes to drain the water.

Checking for physical damage

Before washing, you should check the integrity of the bag, make sure there are no holes or damage. When rotating in the drum, the load will exit through the holes.

It is necessary to carefully close all the holes, and then send it to the machine. Old shabby bags are best washed by hand.

Tip: when washing items with down, it is useful to put a few tennis balls in the drum - they will prevent the fluff from falling out.

Temperature

The recommended temperature is 30°, the maximum possible is 40°. With strong heating, the sleeping bag will be irreparably damaged, it will lose its heating properties.

Hand washing

Hand washing is more useful for a sleeping bag - the padding will stay in place, it won't come off in one piece. It is better to wash old products yourself, without using automatic machines.

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Coaching

Before immersion in water, shake off debris, remove stains. The sleeping bag is returned. Prior to water immersion, it may be rolled up to remove excess air from the load.

How to wash properly

It is best to use liquid detergents for washing. If powder is used, dissolve it thoroughly before loading the product. You will have to wash in the bath. The water temperature is 30°. The sleeping bag is completely submerged in water. For more effective dirt removal, you can soak the product for 20-30 minutes.

How to make washing easier:

• use a soft brush;
• climb into the tub and stomp on your feet.

After ensuring that all contaminants have moved away, the water is drained. Wait 20 minutes for the soap solution to drain. Then they turn on the shower and wash off the remaining foam. Again, they wait for the water to flow. Then pour clean water for rinsing.

Drying

A wet sleeping bag is very heavy and difficult to lift.When removing the washing machine from the drum, it is better to replace the basin. After washing in any way, it is worth expanding the bag at the bottom of the bath so that the glass holds more water. After a significant part of the moisture is gone, the sleeping bag is carefully straightened, stretched in the corners and laid out on a horizontal surface until completely dry.

Do not dry in the sun, near radiators. Use well ventilated and shaded areas.

Storage rules

The sleeping bag is constantly used only by extremely active tourists. The rest - mostly is in storage. After each use, the sleeping bag is cleaned of dirt, shaken out and dried well.

Recommended storage methods:

• in a straightened form in a special breathable fabric bag (better than the original) - ideally in bedside boxes, on large mezzanines;
• on a hanger in a spacious closet;
• loosely folded on a shelf, in a piece of furniture (nothing is placed on it).

Sleeping bags crushed in compression or simply tight packs quickly lose their insulating properties and age. The load becomes confused, does not fully straighten after being removed. When stored properly, the sleeping bag will last long, be warm and soft.

If you have nowhere to keep your loose sleeping bag, you need to regularly take it out of the package - air it out, whip the stuffing, turn it around to store it in a different way.

Prevention of contamination

Let's see how you can protect your sleeping bags from dirt to minimize the need to wash them:

1. Do not eat or drink in or around your sleeping bag. During the day - roll up and set aside.
2. Do not drag on the ground, so as not to damage the upper protective layer and do not stain.
3. To keep the inner layer clean, it is worth using a protective cover (liner) or foil. You can wash it as long as you need.

Protective agents (like Granger's) can be used to repel moisture and dirt. They are added when washing, applied to a sleeping bag before use.

When making a sleeping bag, fabrics and fillers are impregnated with protective compounds. Each washing kills some of these protective properties, leads to thinning and felting of the upholstery, therefore, the products are rarely washed, if they are very dirty. If washed and dried according to the manufacturer's instructions, the sleeping bag will become clean, and also retain its basic functions - it will remain soft, fluffy and warm well at night.