How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag

Fill up your bathtub with warm water and add mild soap (not harsh detergents). Zip up the down sleeping bag and place it in the tub. Allow it to soak for 10 to 20 minutes.

Remove as much water as you can from the bag by running your hands down it while it is flat in the tub. Do not wring out the bag, as this can cause the down stuffing to deform in the bag and possibly ball up. Then lightly rinse the bag in cold water and press it out the same way. Do not use hot water at any time when cleaning a down sleeping bag.

Put the bag in the dryer with the heat set on low, or hang it outside and allow it to air dry, which is recommended as the safest way to dry the sleeping bag. If you do choose the dryer, it is recommended that you put in a few high-quality tennis balls during the dry cycle, which will help prevent the down from clumping inside the bag and running to the corners. Check on the sleeping bag every 10 to 15 minutes to make sure it still feels somewhat fluffy.

When it is dry, store your down sleeping bag as spread out as it can get. It is not recommended to store these bags in the small cases they sometimes come in, or to wad them up and throw them in a closet. Fold yours up nicely and try to put it somewhere where nothing will be on top of it to possibly flatten the down. If used and washed properly, these bags will last a long time and afford season after season of camping warmth.