How to Wash and Dry a Down Sleeping Bag Correctly

Overview

So, you’ve been using your duck-down or goose-down sleeping bag for a while now. It’s been exposed to a fair bit of dirt, sweat, moisture, and grime, and you think it could do with a wash. But how do you wash a down sleeping bag? You’ve probably heard that down is a bit sensitive and needs special care. But you don’t need to be afraid to give it a good clean every once in a while. In fact, washing and drying your down sleeping bag correctly can help to extend its life and maintain its loft, durability, and overall performance. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of cleaning your down sleeping bag step by step.

Complete Guide to Washing a Down Sleeping Bag

Washing your down sleeping bag isn’t only about keeping it clean, it’s also about ensuring the down insulation continues to do its job properly so you stay warm and comfortable on your camping adventures.

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5 Reasons to Wash Your Down Sleeping Bag

Here are 5 reasons why it’s important to wash your down sleeping bag correctly:

Maintains Insulation Efficiency: Down feathers are excellent insulators because they trap air. Improper washing can cause the feathers to clump together, reducing their ability to trap air and thus diminishing the sleeping bag's insulating properties.
Preserves Durability: Down sleeping bags are often made from delicate materials. Incorrect washing techniques can damage the fabric and the down feathers, shortening the lifespan of the sleeping bag.
Retains Loft: The loft, or fluffiness, of the down is crucial for its insulating ability. Proper washing and drying help maintain the loft by keeping the feathers evenly distributed and preventing clumping.
Prevents Mould and Mildew: Down can retain moisture, leading to mould and mildew if not dried properly. This not only affects the sleeping bag's performance but can also cause unpleasant odours and potential health issues.
Removes Dirt and Oils: Body oils, sweat, and dirt can accumulate over time, reducing the effectiveness of the down. Regular, proper washing removes these contaminants, keeping the sleeping bag clean and functional.

How to Wash A Down Sleeping Bag: Step-By-Step Guide

If you notice your sleeping bag doesn’t feel as warm as it used to or it’s starting to smell like your base layers after a multi-day hike, it’s probably overdue for a wash. We recommend washing your down sleeping bag about once a year if you’re using it occasionally, or more often if you’re using it regularly. Note: You can spot clean marks and stains with a damp cloth and gentle laundry detergent if needed.

We recommend washing your sleeping bag in a bath with lukewarm water as you risk damaging it in a washing machine.
Use a suitable detergent such as the Grangers Down Wash. Regular laundry detergent can damage the down.
Scrunch the sleeping bag in the soapy water and then leave it to soak for about an hour.
Drain the soapy water and rinse your sleeping bag in cold water, scrunching it to get all of the detergent out.
Remove from the bath and squeeze out excess water, but be gentle as you don’t want to compress the down insulation.
We recommend laying it out flat on a clothes horse to drip dry for a couple of hours to reduce the water weight before placing it in a drier.
If you have a large dryer at home, you can dry your sleeping bag on a low heat. Throw in a couple of tennis balls or the dryer balls that come with the Grangers Down Wash Kit. The dryer and balls help to puff up the down again. You may think a drier seems a bit rough for a sleeping bag, but the heat helps to loft the down (make it fluffy again) so it performs as it should.
If you don’t have a large dryer at home, we recommend using an industrial one at a laundromat.

Down Sleeping Bag Care Instructions

We recommend following these instructions to extend the life and performance of your down sleeping bag. It might seem like a hassle, but a down sleeping bag can be a significant investment so it makes sense to take care of it properly.

Storage: When not in use, store your bag in a large breathable cotton bag in a warm, dry environment to allow the down to expand. We provide a cotton bag with all our Bushbuck down sleeping bags.
Compression: Take care when stuffing your bag into its compression sack. It’s designed to pack down to a nice, compact size so you don’t need to force it.
Camping: When you arrive at camp, take your sleeping bag out of the compression sack as soon as possible to allow the down to aerate and loft before you jump inside. A warm tent is one of the best places to do this.
Protection: Consider using a sleeping bag liner to extend the life of your sleeping bag. They help reduce the build up of sweat, grease and grime. Alternatively, a sleeping bag cover is a great option when you’re camping out in the open.
Sleeping Mat: Use a sleeping mat with your sleeping bag to provide a layer of cushioning and insulation between you and the hard, cold ground.

While down sleeping bags may require some special care and attention, their warmth-to-weight ratio and overall performance are unmatched. We know camping gear is made to get dirty and can sometimes get a bit neglected, but your down sleeping bag is one item that’s worth taking care of properly. If you treat them right, they’ll keep you warm and comfy in the outdoors for many years.

Check out Bushbuck's range of high-performance down sleeping bags