A sleeping bag is one of the most important pieces of outdoor equipment in your kit. We’ve created a comprehensive sleeping bag care guide to help you get the most out of your investment both on the trail and after the hike. Find out how to wash a sleeping bag and shop our collection of essential sleeping bag care products today.

During the Hike: Sleeping Bag Care on the Trail

Your body produces moisture and oils which can affect the insulating properties of your sleeping bag. This is especially the case with down sleeping bags, impeding the ability of down to clump and loft as efficiently. To ensure your sleeping bag stays in action for longer and provides maximum insulation, here are some aftercare tips for bag maintenance. 

Use a Sleeping Bag Liner

A sleeping bag liner protects the sleeping bag from perspiration, grime and body oils. This means that your sleeping bag will require washing less often. Liners are available in a range of materials including silk, cotton and polypropylene. As well as being more hygienic, liners can add another layer of insulation for extra warmth in your sleeping bag.

Lay Your Sleeping Bag Out Straight Away

It’s a good idea to remove your sleeping bag from its stuff sack and lay it out as soon as you set up camp, this will give the down time to loft fully before you go to bed. A gentle shake will also help ensure the down lofts out to its full potential.

Use an Insulated Sleeping Mat

Always use an insulating mat under your sleeping bag. Cold ground conducts warmth away from a sleeping bag, and down on the underside of your bag will become compressed as you lie down. A sleeping mat provides protection and insulation to prevent heat loss.

Keep Your Sleeping Bag Dry

Synthetic and down sleeping bags lose their ability to insulate when they become wet. It’s important to protect your bag from moisture by using a waterproof stuff sack or rucksack liner while you are on the trail, and a waterproof groundsheet and tent at camp.

Pack Your Sleeping Bag Correctly

When packing up camp always stuff your sleeping bag back into its stuff sack. Never roll it as this can damage the baffles. 

How To Deal With Leaking Down

Quality sleeping bags use fabrics that prevent the down fill from leaking out. However, there is often a small number of feather quills in the down mix, which can occasionally pierce the cloth and escape. This minor leakage from a new down sleeping bag is no cause for alarm, and some of the escaping quills can be pulled back inside simply by feeling through the fabric and easing them back in.

After the Hike: Sleeping Bag Care at Home

At-home sleeping bag care can significantly increase the longevity of your sleeping bag. Sleeping bags at Paddy Pallin are built with quality in mind, but in order to prolong their life, they need some attention when you make it home.

Sleeping Bag Storage 

When not in use, your sleeping bag should always be stored uncompressed, outside of its stuff sack. This will prevent the insulation from becoming permanently compacted which can lead to cold spots. Often a mesh or cotton storage bag will be provided with your sleeping bag for this purpose.

How to Wash a Sleeping Bag

The insulation in your sleeping bag works most efficiently when it is clean from oils and dirt. If you have been on an extended trip or you notice that your sleeping bag isn’t lofting as well as it did, it’s time to give your bag a wash. Not sure how to wash a sleeping bag? Follow the steps below.

Machine Wash

*Note: only use a washing machine if it does not have an agitator (a common feature in top-loading washing machines).

1. Undo all the zippers and loosen all the drawcords of the sleeping bag
2. Place the bag in the washing machine and set to a gentle cycle with a cold to warm water temperature. Consult the sleeping bag washing directions on your bag to check the manufacturer's washing temperature settings.
3. Use a technical cleaner to wash your bag, consult the bottle to see how much cleaner to use. Down insulation requires a specific down cleaner, while synthetic insulation requires a general technical wash. Do NOT use general washing detergents on your sleeping bag as they will strip the down fibres and remove the waterproof coating on the bag’s exterior.
4. Pass the bag through a rinse cycle after the first wash to ensure all the soap is washed out.
5. After the rinse cycle, gently squeeze out the bag to remove some of the excess water.
6. Placing both arms underneath the bag, lift the bag out of the washing machine and place it in the dryer. Down is very heavy when wet and can cause damage to the internal baffles, so be very careful when moving the bag.
7. Using a low heat setting on the dryer, dry the bag until there are no clumps of insulation remaining. This process can take several hours, especially for down. When washing a down bag, adding some washing balls or tennis balls helps to redistribute the down while it’s drying.
8. After drying the bag, set the bag out flat to dry overnight to make sure there is no remaining moisture before you store it away.

Hand Wash

1. Begin by soaking the bag overnight in a bath or large tub of lukewarm water.
2. Using a technical cleaner, gently knead the suds through the bag. Ensure you choose the right cleaner for your insulation. Down insulation requires a specific down cleaner, while synthetic insulation requires a more general technical wash. Do NOT use general washing detergents on your sleeping bag as they will strip the down fibres and remove the waterproof coating on the bag’s exterior.
3. If the bag is really grimy, leave it submerged in the soapy water for a few hours.
4. Rinse with fresh water to remove all traces of soap. Keep rinsing with fresh water until you can’t see any more suds.
5. Gently squeeze out all excess moisture while your sleeping bag is still in the tub.
6. Carefully lift the soggy bag, placing your arms underneath it to support its entire weight, and place it into a washing basket. Down is very heavy when wet and can cause damage to the internal baffles, so be very careful when moving the bag.
7. Prepare a clean, dry area out of direct sunlight and carefully lay the bag out flat.
8. Pat the insulation on both sides of the bag to help minimise down clumping.
9. Your down bag may require several days to dry completely. Hot, non-humid days are best.

Head to our blog for more information about how to wash a down sleeping bag. 

How to Waterproof a Sleeping Bag

Most sleeping bags come with a waterproof coating on the bag’s exterior. You can maintain and add to the water-repellency of your sleeping bag with products such as Nikwax TX Direct Waterproofing Spray. After washing with Nikwax Tech Wash Fabric Cleaner, apply the waterproofing spray to the outside of your sleeping bag and leave it to dry.