How to Dry a Goose Down Sleeping Bag

Goose down is one of the nicest types of sleeping bag insulation. It tends be softer and warmer than duck down, and it is also more expensive. One of the major downsides to goose down sleeping bags is their sensitivity -- they are not ideal for wet conditions, and they are even more troublesome to wash. Almost all sleeping bags are hand wash-only, if not dry clean-only. If your bag does get wet or you've washed it by hand, dry it properly to make it last longer.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Fully unzip your sleeping bag, if you have not already done so.

Step 2

Hang it out in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors on a clothesline.

Step 3

Flip over the sleeping bag every 24 hours so that the side of the bag hanging on the inside has a chance to breathe on the outside.

Step 4

Leave the sleeping bag out for up to three or four days, depending on the humidity and whether the sleeping bag is waterproof.

Tips & Warnings

Do not store away the sleeping bag until you are sure it has fully dried all the way through. Down that is still damp when packed away is likely to mildew, ruining the bag.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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