How to Keep Your Down Sleeping Bag Soft

Maintaining your down sleeping bag is an easy task which however needs careful attention. In fact, with some simple maintenance routines you can keep your down sleeping bag perfectly soft and in good working condition for almost twenty years. It is this checkup routine which you perform after every camping trip which will determine your bag’s lifespan.

Step 1 – Daily Care During Camping Trips

During camping sessions it is ideal to shake your bag at least once a day to re-fluff the stuffing and to avoid it from getting compressed after long hours of sleeping.

Step 2 – Packing

When packing your bag it is important to never roll it or fold it. You should simply stuff it in its stuff sack. This will avoid your stuffing getting damaged and it will help maintain soft air pockets for your stuffing. In this manner the stuffing will remain as soft and as uncompressed as possible on your way home.

Step 3 – Unpacking

After every camping trip it is very important to unpack the down sleeping bag from its stuff sack and to shake it vigorously. Before shaking the sack, first it is vital to turn it inside out and then shake the bag multiple times.

Step 4 – Hang the Bag

After shaking the bag it is advisable to hang it on a clothesline for a few hours, even for a whole day if necessary and in a very well-ventilated spot away from sunlight, so as to eliminate any dampness or humidity trapped between the folds.

Step 5 – Storage

Storing your bag properly is of the utmost importance in order to maintain its stuffing in a soft pristine condition. Down sleeping bags should never be rolled and even more so, they should never be stored in their stuff sacks. It should be stored flat or hanging in a closet. Alternatively you can store it in a large mesh laundry bag in such a way that it is not compressed or stuffed tightly. Remember never to put a wet or damp sleeping bag in plastic sacks because that will generate mold and mildew. The ideal way to store it is to fold the bag over a clothes hanger and hang it in your closet.

Step 6 – Routine Checking

When you do not use your sleeping bag for long periods of time it is important to check it out every month or so. You should revitalize sleeping bags every now and then. To do this you should use a tumble dryer. Put the sleeping bag with a few tennis balls in your tumble dryer. And turn it on for a few minutes with no heat. This will re-fluff the stuffing and re-soften it. Then re-pack it as instructed in Step 5.

These easy and quick steps will help you maintain your sleeping bag’s soft stuffing. Remember to regularly check and revitalize your sleeping bag and to never store it in its stuff sack to avoid compression of the stuffing.