Keep Your Sleeping Bag in Good Condition by Hand Washing in the Tub
If you’ve ever had to machine wash your sleeping bag, you know the damage it can cause. Luckily, a bath and gentle hand washing are all you need to keep your bag working efficiently.
Sleeping bags are more fragile than they appear. Dirt, soot, and body oils can build up to reduce their effectiveness in isolation when you need it. Plus, they can pick up odors that no amount of FeBreze will help. Washing your bag in a regular washing machine is a bad idea, as a stirrer can ruin the insulation as well as tear delicate fabrics. And while the front sink is softer, many sleeping bags are too bulky to handle.
Enter the bath. As Instructables user Boddeeen notes , this and a little mild detergent is all you need. Fill the bathtub about halfway with warm water and add a small amount of mild powder detergent. Turn the bag inside out, close the zipper and place in the bathtub to soak for about 15 minutes. Gently shake the bag with your hands, drain the dirty water and refill the tub with clean water. Shake gently again to pour out the soap, drain in the tub for about 15 minutes, then gently swirl around to dry. Be careful when shaking or moving the bag so as not to tear the sheathing or damage the insulation too much. Click on the post for full instructions and images.
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