Home Cleaning Laundry How to Wash a Sleeping Bag Here's your step-by-step guide for a clean sleeping bag. By Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette Mary Marlowe Leverette has over four decades of experience and has been writing and consulting for more than 20 years sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, stain removal methods, and textile conservation. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on June 03, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Considerations Before You Start How to Wash a Sleeping Bag How Often to Wash a Sleeping Bag Tips to Keep Sleeping Bags Clean Close Photo: Jordan Siemens/Getty Images Whether it's a kid's sleepover or a week-long camping trip, a clean sleeping bag always makes it more comfortable. Almost all sleeping bags (check the care tag) are machine-washable or you can wash them by hand in the bathtub with laundry detergent and lukewarm water. If you have a down-filled bag, use a specialty down-cleaning solution like Nikwax. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to wash a sleeping bag. The Complete List of Everything You Need to Bring Camping Considerations Before You Start Dry cleaning solvent can affect the filler of a sleeping bag. Read the care tag and avoid harsh products. Do not try to wash a sleeping bag in a washer with a center agitator; if you don't have a large-capacity washer, head to a laundromat or wash it by hand in the bathtub. Skip fabric softener, chlorine bleach, or harsh cleaners when washing a sleeping bag since they can affect the insulation materials and the water-repellent outer shell. Check the sleeping bag for ripped seams or holes before you wash it. Make repairs so you won't have a washer full of feathers or fluff! Be sure to think ahead when washing heavy sleeping bags because drying can take up to six hours. How to Wash a Sleeping Bag What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Washing machine or bathtub Soft-bristled nylon scrubbing brush Automatic dryer, clothesline, or drying rack Wool dryer balls Materials Liquid laundry detergent or Down wash Instructions Prep the Sleeping Bag Separate any removable lining and wash separately.Unzip the sleeping bag completely.Check for heavy stains and pretreat them with a dab of the liquid detergent or down wash. Work the cleaner into the stained area with a soft-bristled nylon brush and let it work for at least 15 minutes before washing the bag. To treat mold or mildew, saturate the areas with full-strength distilled white vinegar before washing. Wait at least 15 minutes before washing the sleeping bag. The 9 Best Laundry Detergents of 2024, Tested and Reviewed Choose a Cleaning Solution and Method Synthetic fiber-filled bags can be cleaned with your regular laundry detergent. Down-filled sleeping bags should be cleaned with a down wash (Granger's Down Wash or Nikwax Down Wash) that is gentle on the feathers. Both types of bags can be machine-washed or hand-washed in the bathtub. Wash, Rinse, and Rinse Again Machine Washing: Only wash sleeping bags in a front-loading washer or a top-loading washer without a center agitator or one with a removable center agitator. Select cold or lukewarm water and the gentle cycle. Use only one or two teaspoons of detergent or down wash. Do not overdose because removing detergent residue is essential. Wash one sleeping bag at a time and add a couple of large towels to help balance the load. When the cycle is complete, add an extra rinse and low-spin cycle to remove all the soil and detergent residue. Hand Washing: Start with a very clean bathtub.Fill the tub with cold or lukewarm water and add one to two teaspoons of laundry detergent or down wash.Add the sleeping bag to the water and be sure that it is completely submerged.Allow the bag to soak in the water for at least 15 minutes then gently knead the fabric to help release the soil.Drain the tub and refill with clean, cool water.Swish the sleeping bag in the water to help release the detergent residue.Drain the tub and refill with clean water for a second rinse.When no more suds appear, drain the tub and gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the sleeping bag.The wet bag will be heavy so use a sturdy plastic tub or laundry basket to transfer the sleeping bag to the drying area. Dry the Sleeping Bag Hand-washed sleeping bags should be hung over a sturdy drying rack or clothesline to begin air-drying. Once the bag stops dripping water, it can be transferred to an automatic dryer. Always use the low heat setting on a tumble dryer. Add two or three wool dryer balls to the dryer drum to help break up clumps in the filling. To air dry a sleeping bag, lay it open and flat over a drying rack or clothesline. Reposition the bag and manually break up clumps often in the filler as it dries. The Best Clothes Drying Racks for Every Garment How Often to Wash a Sleeping Bag Every wash causes a sleeping bag to lose insulation value and water repellency, but most sleeping bags should be washed at least once a year. For sleeping bags with a removable liner, wash the liner after every use. It's a good idea to spot clean spills or heavy soil from the outer shell as soon as possible with a damp cloth. And, if possible when camping, open the bag and hang it to air dry every morning. Kid's sleep-over bags can be washed after every use. Tips to Keep Sleeping Bags Clean Open the sleeping bag flat after every use to allow the interior to air-dry to help prevent odors and mildew. Use a lightweight silk, cotton, fleece, or insulating synthetic performance fiber sleeping bag liner. Place a plastic tarp on the ground before laying out the sleeping bag. Be sure the sleeping bag is completely dry before storing it in a breathable cotton or mesh bag in a cool, dry space to prevent mildew growth. After several washings, apply a durable water repellent (DWR) product to restore the water repellency and help keep the sleeping bag cleaner longer.