How To Make Down Sleeping Bags Last Longer

The first step in extending the life of your down sleeping bag, is to not store it for long periods in its own sack, as it is better not to compress your bag for too long. Try to store it loosely in a dry location and, ideally, in a cotton sack if you have one. Avoid storing it for long periods in anything that is watertight, as condensation can occur, followed by mildew. Also avoid a hot storage area, as natural oils found in down can evaporate. See that the bag is completely dry before storing it.

Airing out your bag each day you use it will help keep it lofty. Turn it inside out and let the breeze dry it if need be. Sleeping bags can be stuffed a great many times with no damage. Do not roll your sleeping bag (a common mistake!). Stuffing it is much easier on the goose down. When you do stuff your bag, start with the foot in order to let the air escape.

As soon as you get to the camp each evening, remove the bag from its sack and allow it to air out. Keep the bag out of the sunlight (unless you're drying it), since the ultraviolet rays will gradually degrade the fabric.

You will extend the life of your bag by keeping it as clean as you can, so you don't have to wash it as often. Try not to ever lay your bag directly on the ground. If you're not in a tent, use a ground cloth. Wear clean clothing to bed, which protects against dirt from the day, and body oils that can affect the goose down.

Clean stains and spills with a damp cloth as soon as they occur (whenever possible), so as to avoid the need for frequent washing. Try to move the down away from the stain you are working on. When you do wash your sleeping bag, don't forget to strictly respect the washing instructions. Never dry clean your down bag since the solvents can strip away natural oils contained in the goose down.

Your bag will usually get dirtier on the inside than on the outside, so turn it inside out before you wash it. Zip up all zippers. If you do use a washing machine, be sure to use a front loading machine. Use cold water and only gentle wash cycles.

Ultimately, avoiding a machine wash completely is the best idea. I recommend washing your bag in the bathtub with mild soap. Don't ever use bleach or fabric softeners.

In the warm tub, completely douse the bag while it is in its own storage sack, so that the air is already gone from your sleeping bag. Then, under the water, you can gently remove the bag from its sack, and wash it. After you're done, leave it to soak in the tub for another hour.

You will have to rinse the bag several times to get all the soap out; some manufacturers say three times or more. See that you empty the tub after each rinse and be careful working with a soaking wet sleeping bag, so as not to damage any stitching or baffles. You can press the bag to remove water, but do not wring it out.

You can now use the spin cycle of a washing machine to remove the majority of the water. Following that, and despite what many manufacturers say about not using a dryer, a low heat tumble dry setting is usually just fine. Before drying however, check for down clumps that can sometimes accumulate during washing, and "massage" them to spread them out again. Some people add two or three clean tennis balls to the dryer to help with the clumps.