Washing Instructions for U.S. Military Mountain Regular Down Sleeping Bags

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Although the U.S. military no longer uses down sleeping bags, the armed forces relied on two durable down models for many years. The M1942 and, later, the M1949 provided cold weather protection from World War II through the Vietnam War. Although the military currently uses more modern, synthetic filling, military-issue down sleeping bags are still prized for their warmth and quality. As with any down sleeping bag, it is important to keep the M1949 clean and dry at all times rather than relying on periodic cleaning.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Pajamas
Cloth
Water
Soap
Brush
Down detergent
Quarters
Towels
Tennis balls

Step 1

Keep the bag dry by always breathing only through the opening. Use a sleeping mat under the bag and do not sleep inside the bag on hot nights when you may sweat a lot.

Step 2

Keep a set of pajamas with you and only wear them when going to sleep. This will stop you from getting the bag dirty.

Step 3

Open the bag and air it out every morning for at least 30 minutes. This will help keep the bag clean by allowing excess body moisture to evaporate.

Step 4

Regularly examine the bag for dirt or grease stains. Clean stains off the surface of the bag with a damp cloth with mild soap. Use as little water as possible to keep the bag dry.

Step 5

Scrub the head and foot of the sleeping bag with a brush, mild water and soap before putting it in a washing machine. This will help clean off the areas of the bag that accumulate the most dirt.

Step 6

Wash the sleeping bag in a large, front-loading washer on gentle cycle, warm wash, cold rinse setting. Use a specially formulated down soap to avoid damaging the feathers.

Step 7

When the wash cycle ends, roll up the bag and gently press out as much water as you can without wringing it out.

Step 8

Place the sleeping bag into a large dryer along with a few terry cloth towels and two tennis balls. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, the towels will minimize static buildup and the balls will help fluff up the bag.

Step 9

Dry your sleeping bag on medium-low heat until it is completely dry. It may take up to four hours.

Tips & Warnings

Try to spot-wash the sleeping bag and keep it clean on a day-to-day basis. Washing down sleeping bags puts a lot of wear on the feathers and the lining, so you don't want to do it too often.

Article Written By Isaiah David

Isaiah David is a freelance writer and musician living in Portland, Ore. He has over five years experience as a professional writer and has been published on various online outlets. He holds a degree in creative writing from the University of Michigan.

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