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Wild Camping Kit List
Can you wash a sleeping bag?
Yes, you can. If your sleeping bag is darkened with grime or losing it's loft it's time to give it a wash. Your sleeping bag should have washing instructions on the tag (which you should follow). We have gathered a few of our best tips on how to wash your sleeping bag.
Can you dry clean a sleeping bag?
No, you shouldn't dry clean a sleeping bag. The industrial solvents used in dry cleaning are harsh and can strip the natural oils of down. You can either hand wash your sleeping bag, wash it at home or send it off to a professional sleeping bag cleaning service.
Machine washing (down)
How to machine wash a down sleeping bag
Check your sleeping bag's care label.
Use a technical cleaner like Granger's Wash + Repel Down 2-in-1.
Unzip the bag completely to avoid the slider snagging or breaking.
Wash the bag in warm water on a gentle cycle.
Rinse at least twice to remove the cleaning agent.
Your bag should feel damp but not drenched before removing it from the machine.
Support the whole bag when removing it from the machine to avoid straining or ripping the seams.
Machine washing (synthetic)
How to machine wash a synthetic sleeping bag
Check your sleeping bag's care label.
Use a technical cleaner like Granger's Performance Wash.
Unzip the bag completely to avoid the slider snagging or breaking.
Wash the bag in warm water on a gentle cycle.
Rinse at least twice to remove the cleaning agent.
Your bag should feel damp but not drenched before removing it from the machine.
Support the whole bag when removing it from the machine to avoid straining or ripping the seams.
Gently squeeze out excess water before moving on to drying.
Hand washing
How to hand wash your sleeping bag
Fill a bath with cool or warm water
Use a technical cleaner like Granger's Performance Wash for a synthetic bag and Granger's Wash + Repel Down 2 in 1 for down bags. Avoid using too much detergent as it will be hard to rinse out.
Lay the bag in the water and gently work the detergent through the bag.
Rub the most soiled areas together.
Leave to soak for up to one hour.
Drain your bath and press out any remaining water.
Fill the bath with cool or warm water to rinse and work the soap out gently.
Let the bag sit for 15 minutes.
Drain the bath and press out any remaining water.
Repeat this process until all the soap is out.
Gently squeeze out as much water as you can before moving on to the drying steps.
Drying
Spot cleaning
Spot cleaning your sleeping bag
You may find certain areas like the head and food areas of your bag get extra dirty. You can spot clean before fully cleaning or for top-ups between full washes.
Apply a small amount of detergent to the spot you are cleaning.
Use a soft-bristle brush to clean the spot gently.
Rise using a wet sponge.
Try to avoid getting the insulation wet by holding the outer shell away from it while spot-cleaning. If it gets wet, leave the bag to fully dry before packing it away.
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