How to wash a sleeping bag

1) Look at the instructions label for temperature and additional advice specific to that sleeping bag.

2) Run the bag through the gentle cycle of the washer. Then put it through a second rinse cycle to make sure all soap is removed.

3) Gently squeeze away the excess water with your hands, perhaps in a bath or shower.

4) Let the bag dry on it's own for a few hours. A synthetic bag will take an hour, while a down bag takes several hours.

5) Next, place the bag in a commercial-sized dryer (perhaps at a laundromat) on low heat. For down bags, add two or three tennis balls. This helps break separated clumps of down.

Begin by filling your bathtub with cool or warm water.

Add the proper cleaning product for your bag, avoiding using an excessive amount of soap.

Lay the bag in the water and gently work the soap through the whole bag. Rub together the most soiled areas. All the bag to soak for up to one hour.

Drain the tub and press out the remaining water. Then fill the tub with cool or warm water again to rinse. Work the soap out gently, let the bag sit for 15 minutes and drain. Press out the remaining water and repeat this process until the soap is gone.

If your home dryer is too small the bag will stay balled up, so you’ll need to bring it to the laundromat. However, if your dryer is large enough, use low heat and let a synthetic bag dry for an hour and a down bag for several hours.

If you choose not to use a dryer, lay your bag on a clean surface with low humidity and no direct sunlight.

You’ll need to manually break up clumps of insulation as it dries.

Yes, you can – and in many cases, you should.

Drying your sleeping bag in a tumble dryer is often the safest way to restore its shape and performance, especially for down-filled bags.

Use a low heat setting and toss in a couple of clean tennis balls or dryer balls. They’ll help break up clumps and bring back the loft so your bag stays warm and cosy.

Just be patient – drying a sleeping bag properly can take a few hours. Avoid high heat at all costs, as it can damage the fabric or melt synthetic fillings. If you’ve got the time, air-drying it afterwards helps release any remaining moisture.

Whether it’s for your next camping trip or a festival weekend, a fully dried bag is a fresh, fluffy one – and ready for whatever the outdoors throws your way.

Washing a down sleeping bag takes a little care, but it’s worth it to keep it warm and lofty. Use a front-loading washing machine (top-loaders can damage the seams) on a gentle cycle with cold water and a down-specific detergent.

Avoid regular detergent, as it can strip the natural oils from the down. After washing, run a second rinse to make sure all soap is out.

Dry it slowly on low heat with a few clean tennis balls in the dryer – they’ll help break up clumps and restore the fluff. Don’t rush it. Drying down properly can take several hours.

Always wash your sleeping bag unzipped. This helps water and detergent circulate more evenly, giving the bag a more thorough clean without putting too much pressure on the zip or seams.

An unzipped bag also dries faster and more evenly, especially when air-drying or using a tumble dryer. If your sleeping bag has any Velcro fastenings or drawstrings, make sure they’re secured before washing to prevent snagging.

A gentle cycle and down-specific detergent are still key, whether it’s zipped or not – but unzipping gives your sleeping bag the best chance of a proper clean and a longer lifespan.