Make Your Down Sleeping Bags Last Forever

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.

While you're camping, try to air out your bag each day. An inside out bag in the wind will remain nice and lofty. A common mistake is to roll up your bag; it's actually better for the down if you stuff the sleeping bag into its bag. When stuffing, always start at the foot of the bag, so that the air will escape as you stuff.

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.

Another tip for longer bag life is cleanliness. If you can keep it clean while camping, you'll need to machine wash it less often. Use a ground cloth of some sort, so as to avoid laying your bag directly on the ground. Your body's oils can also affect the down so wherever possible, keep yourself clean too.

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.

Turn your sleeping bag inside out before a machine wash and zip up the zippers. Be sure to wash with cold water and use only the gentle cycles.

If you can avoid a machine altogether and wash by hand, so much the better. Put your sleeping bag in the bath tub, use a mild soap, and avoid bleach and all fabric softeners.

In warm water, submerge your bag in the bathtub while it is in its bag. This way the air is already out of the bag and it is easier to work with under water. Then, pull it out of the sack and wash gently. When you've finished, let it continue to soak for an hour.

When you're finished washing, rinsing a number of times will be necessary in order to get all the soap out. Remember to empty the tub water between each rinse. Always be gentle when working with a wet down bag, so as not to damage any stitching, or any baffles. While you should never wring out a down bag, pressing the water out is okay.

To start the drying process, put the bag into the spin cycle of your washing machine. Then, a low heat tumble dry is usually alright (despite what some manufacturers say). However, before you dry in the machine, look for clumps of down that are often there following a wash, and massage them to spread them back out. Adding 2 or 3 clean tennis balls to the dryer also helps to get those clumps out.