For synthetic bags, use a non-detergent soap such as Grangers Down Performance Wash. Conventional laundry detergent contains brighteners and fillers that may stick to the polyester fibers and reduce the loft.

Do not use a top loading washing machine.

The mechanical action of the impeller (the plastic spiral in the drum) is far too rough for a sleeping bag.

Either use a front loading washing machine on a gentle cycle* or hand-wash your sleeping bag

* If your front-loader washing machine does not have a delicate cycle suitable for washing woolen garments, do not attempt to wash a down sleeping bag in it. In case of doubt, it is better to be safe and hand wash the bag. A synthetic bag can be washed on a normal 'gentle' cycle without issues.

Washing an Ember quilt or a Basecamp/Explore/Amplitude sleeping bag

Remove the straps from the underside of the quilt/bag before washing. They can snag and damage the strap attachment points.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU WASH YOUR SLEEPING BAG?

If you wait to the point where dirt, grime and lumps in the insulation are noticeable, you will already be at the stage where oils and salts are sticking the down plumes or synthetic insulating fibers together, reducing loft. Grime of this kind first shows up around the hood and neck area, but the effect on the insulation is out of sight on the inside of the bag.

PRO TIP: Not a fan of laundry? Or – just keen to protect the investment you made in a quality sleeping bag? Use a liner to keep your bag cleaner for longer and spot clean using a specially-formulated synthetic cleaning product like Grangers Performance Wash.

Hand wash Instructions

If you are going to wash your sleeping bag in the bath, make sure the bathtub is clean first. Turn the sleeping bag inside out, place it in the tub and add warm water (enough to cover the bag) and the recommended amount of the appropriate soap. Gently knead the sleeping bag to force water/soap through it (rolling up your pants, and pretending you are treading grapes is both effective and therapeutic). DO NOT PICK UP THE BAG DURING THIS PROCESS – the weight of water in the insulation can tear out the baffles of a down bag or the stitching which secures the insulation in a synthetic bag. If it has been a long time since you last cleaned your sleeping bag, you may need to repeat the above wash process to get out all of the grime. When the sleeping bag seems clean, drain the bathtub and then carefully roll up the bag to squeeze the water out. Refill the tub with clean water and knead the bag to force clean water through it – continue until there are no more suds. Carefully roll up the sleeping bag again to squeeze the water out of it. At this point you can turn the sleeping bag right-sides out.

Zip up all zippers before putting the sleeping bag in the machine. Select a delicate wash cycle (see above) with a temperature setting of no higher than 40°C / 100°F with an extra rinse cycle. Select a faster/longer spin cycle – it is important that as much water is spun out of the bag as possible before you attempt to remove it from the drum. Whether you hand wash or machine wash, DO NOT pick up a down sleeping bag when it is full of water. In a down sleeping bag, the weight of the water in the down may tear out the internal baffles or cause the down to shift or 'migrate' from one chamber to another. In a synthetic sleeping bag, it may tear the stitching which anchors the insulation.

 

How to Dry a Sleeping Bag

Tumble dry

Once the water has been gently squeezed out of the sleeping bag, carefully put the sleeping bag in a large laundry sack before putting it in a tumble dryer. For sleeping bags with very light shell/liner materials, the protection offered by a large cotton sack during the drying process is invaluable. Set the dryer to low heat or ‘delicates’ and run a complete cycle – if you are using a laundromat dryer, remember that their thermostats are often imprecise, so err on the side of caution and use a cooler cycle. Do not use ‘dryer sheets’ for this process, as they can compromise water-repellent shell finishes and reduce the wicking performance of liner fabrics. Remove the sleeping bag in the laundry sack and turn the sleeping bag inside out. Return the bag to the laundry sack and put it back in the dryer. If you are drying a down bag, put a couple clean tennis balls into the drum with the sleeping bag – they will help to break up clumps of down.If you purchased the Grangers Down Care kit mentioned above, you will have three lightweight plastic balls which you should use for this. Repeat these drying cycles until you are absolutely certain that the insulation is dry through and through – if the bag is put away even slightly damp, mold or mildew can form. If you can feel clumps of down in a down sleeping bag, the down is not dry yet.

Hang the bag up in a dry place where it can air out before being returned to its storage sack.
Following these instructions will allow you to wash your sleeping bag while preserving its quality and warmth. If all of this sounds terribly complicated one solution is to invest in a sleeping bag liner. This way you won't need to wash your sleeping bag as often (click here to find out more about liners).