How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag for Longevity and Care

How to Care for Your CoreVibe Down Sleeping Bag

A down sleeping bag is an indispensable companion for any backpacker in the wilderness. If properly cared for, a high-quality down sleeping bag can stay with you for decades, providing warmth and comfort on every adventure. However, many backpackers neglect to clean their sleeping bags on a regular basis, causing dust and dirt to accumulate over time. Neglecting to clean your sleeping bag not only leads to unpleasant odors, but also reduces its effectiveness. Dust buildup can damage the fabric, affecting the seams and reducing the fluffiness and insulation of the down.

The good news is that cleaning and maintaining a CoreVibe down sleeping bag is not difficult. The entire process usually takes four to six hours. Since down is very fragile, extra care and patience must be taken when cleaning. There are two ways to clean your sleeping bag: machine wash or hand wash.

Does your sleeping bag need a thorough cleaning?

If you are reading this article, then your sleeping bag most likely needs to be washed! However, there are some situations that don’t require a thorough cleaning. Here’s how to tell if you need to wash your sleeping bag:

1. Seasonal Cleaning

If you use your down sleeping bag infrequently, we recommend that you wash it at least once a year. If you use it frequently, it may need to be cleaned 2-3 times a year. If you use it several times a week during a season, it’s been six months since the last cleaning, or you simply can’t remember the last time it was cleaned, then now is definitely a good time to clean it.

2. Clumping

Over time, the down inside your sleeping bag will naturally move around inside the compartments. Check the zippers, hips and areas around the shoulders for lumps of down. You can also see clumps of down on the fabric by placing the bag in bright light. A sleeping bag that is visibly “flattened” is another sign that it needs to be cleaned.

3. Unpleasant odors

Down that has been exposed to moisture or improperly stored can develop an unpleasant odor due to bacterial growth. If you notice an odor in your bag, it’s time to clean it.

4. Partial cleaning

If your duvet isn’t too dirty but has a few stains, it probably doesn’t need a thorough cleaning. Focus on cleaning areas that tend to collect dirt such as the neckline, zippers and feet. For small stains, use a small amount of down-specific soap or a teaspoon of vinegar. Brush gently with a toothbrush, then wash with a sponge and warm water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after cleaning. After washing, air dry in a warm, dry place before storing.

Machine Washing Sleeping Bags

Cleaning a down sleeping bag in a washing machine is actually quite simple if done properly. Just follow these simple steps to get your sleeping bag back to its fluffy state and ready for your next adventure.

Materials needed:

• Large front-loading washing machine: front-loading washing machines are gentler on sleeping bags. A drum washer may come with a central agitator that tends to hook or damage fabrics, compared to a front-loading washer that is much gentler. If you don’t have a front-loading washing machine, consider going to a laundromat and using a high-capacity washing machine.

• Specialized Down Soap: We recommend CoreVibe Down Detergent, or other specialized down soaps such as Grangers Down Detergent or Gear Aid ReviveX Down Detergent. Avoid using regular laundry detergents as they can leave odors and residue that can damage down. These soaps usually remove the natural oils in the down and may even damage the synthetic fibers. In an emergency, you can use a mild detergent such as Woolite.

• DWR (Durable Water Repellent) Repair: after washing your bag, you may need to re-coat the fabric with DWR. this is not a necessary step, but it will help to restore the waterproof coating to the down and shell. the DWR helps to ensure that the water beads up and rolls off the fabric and doesn’t seep through.

Steps:

1. Prepare sleeping bag: zip all zippers and fasten all velcro to prevent hooking. Make sure to place the sleeping bag in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to protect the bag during the washing process.

2. Setting up the washing machine: Use a gentle cold water cycle to avoid damaging the down. Make sure the washing machine is large enough for the down to tumble freely.

3. Use the correct detergent: add the correct amount of CoreVibe Down Detergent according to the instructions on the bottle. Never use bleach, bleach substitutes or fabric softeners as these substances can damage the down and fabric.

4. Rinse thoroughly: at the end of the wash, rinse again to ensure that all soap residue has been removed. Soap residue can affect the effective insulating properties of the down.

5. Drying: Place the sleeping bag in a tumble dryer at a low temperature. To prevent the down from clumping, place a few clean tennis balls or dryer balls to help redistribute the down. This process can take a few hours, but please be patient to avoid damaging your sleeping bag due to the heat.

Follow these steps and your CoreVibe down sleeping bag will remain fluffy, fresh and ready for your next outdoor adventure. For more practical advice on camping gear, check out our essential camping checklist and get ready for your next outdoor adventure.

CoreVibe Waterproof Sleeping Bag Care

Over time, the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating on sleeping bags can wear off, making the material less waterproof and more splash-proof. This means that after heavy use, water may seep into the fabric rather than drip off the surface, reducing its effectiveness. To restore its performance, we recommend reapplying DWR products such as CoreVibe’s TX Direct Spray-On or ReviveX Spray-On Water Repellant each season.

Drying sleeping bags: proper care and tips

When using a large front-loading dryer, make sure the temperature is not too high, as high temperatures may damage the material or even melt the synthetic shell. To maintain the integrity of your sleeping bag:

• A tennis ball, wool dryer ball or clean sneakers will help break up clumps during the drying process. If you are going to use shoes, wrap them in socks so that the soles don’t tear the fabric. If you are pressed for time, you can also use kneaded socks to achieve a similar effect.

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Steps for cleaning and maintaining your sleeping bag

1. Check the label

Before you begin, read the care instructions for your sleeping bag carefully. These instructions will tell you the correct wash water temperature and washing machine settings.

2. Prepare the washing machine

Make sure the washing machine is clean and free of residue that could damage the sleeping bag. Check the detergent dispenser to make sure there is no residue that could strip the down.

3. Loading the sleeping bag

Turn the sleeping bag over, zipper it up and place it in the washing machine.

4. Add detergent

Follow the instructions for CoreVibe Down Soap to add the recommended amount (100 ml per wash for CoreVibe).

5. Wash gently

Set the washing machine to Gentle or Delicate mode as directed by the care label on the sleeping bag. At the end of the wash, check for soap residue by pressing the fabric and looking for suds. If soap residue remains, perform an additional rinse (without adding more soap).

6. Apply Water Repellent

If you are using a waterproof, breathable coating repair product, use it immediately. Do not dry your sleeping bag first. Make sure to follow the product instructions and spray the Waterproof Breathable Coating evenly over the sleeping bag shell. Remember to turn the sleeping bag back inside out before spraying.

7. Drying the sleeping bag

Place the sleeping bag in the dryer and set to the lowest temperature. Make sure the temperature is set to a low temperature as high temperatures may cause damage. Drying may take 3 to 5 hours, so check every 30-40 minutes to monitor the progress.

8. Putting in the dryer balls

When the sleeping bag is almost dry, place 3-6 dryer balls, tennis balls or a clean pair of sneakers (wrapped in socks). This helps to restore fluffiness and ensures the sleeping bag is completely dry.

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Hand wash your sleeping bag

If you don’t have a front-loading washing machine, then hand washing is not a viable option. It’s a bit of a hassle, but you can wash your sleeping bag more gently. If you don’t have a large front-loading dryer, you’ll need a flat, wide drying surface. Here’s how to hand wash your sleeping bag:

Materials needed:

• Bathtub
• Specialized down soap (CoreVibe Down Wash, Grangers, or Nikwax)

Steps:

1. Fill the tub Fill the tub with 4-5 inches of warm water. Turn sleeping bag over and zip all zippers closed.

2. Add Soap Follow the directions on the bottle to add CoreVibe Down Detergent. Typically, 100 ml of soap is recommended. Avoid bleach, fabric softeners or regular detergents as these substances will remove the natural oils from the down.

3. Soak and wash gently Stir the water gently to dissolve the soap, then immerse the bag in the water. Soak for 10-15 minutes, shaking occasionally. Once the soap is completely rinsed out, pour off the water.

4. Rinse Thoroughly Rinse the sleeping bag thoroughly, making sure there is no soap residue. If necessary, repeat this step until the water is clear.

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By following these simple steps, your sleeping bag will stay clean, dry and waterproof, ready for your next outdoor adventure! For more tips on camping essentials, check out our list of camping essentials for your next outdoor adventure.

Proper Care of CoreVibe Down Sleeping Bags

Submerge your sleeping bag in water
Begin by submerging the entire down sleeping bag in water. Rub and gently massage each part of the seams, surfaces and fabric of the sleeping bag for 3-5 minutes to ensure the entire bag is completely soaked. This helps the down soap to fully contact the down.

Soaking the down bag
Soak the bag in water for one hour to allow the down soap to break down the dirt.After 30 minutes, turn the bag over and rub it again to ensure all sides are cleaned. Continue soaking for the remainder of the time.

Drain and refill
After an hour, drain the tub and fill with clean, warm water. Gently massage and rub the soap bag again to rinse the soap off. Start at your feet and work your way up, but avoid wringing or squeezing the soap bag.

Rinse and repeat
You may need to drain and refill the tub several times before completely removing the soap. Keep rinsing until the water is clear.

Apply water repellent
When there is no soap on your sleeping bag, it’s time to apply a durable water repellent (DWR). Do not dry the sleeping bag first. Turn the sleeping bag over, spread it out as flat as possible, and evenly spray on the DWR. read the instructions on the DWR product carefully. If you are not using DWR, you can skip this step.

Drying Sleeping Bags in the Dryer
If you have a large front-loading dryer, place your sleeping bag in it and set it to dry on low. Be sure to follow the drying steps in the washing instructions.

Air-drying your sleeping bag
If you don’t have a dryer available, place your sleeping bag outdoors in a clean area, such as a deck or lawn. To air dry indoors, place the sleeping bag on a towel on a dry, hard floor (avoid carpeting). For best results, opt for partial shade. Air drying can take several hours, so check regularly for wet spots and turn your sleeping bag over to maintain ventilation.

Fluffing down
Once the sleeping bag is mostly dry, gently separate the clumps of down with your hands. Start at the feet and work your way up to the head opening. As the sleeping bag dries further, you can gently shake it like you would fluff a pillow to help separate the down and restore fluffiness.

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Storing your CoreVibe down sleeping bag

Use a mesh bag
For better storage, place your down sleeping bag in a large, breathable mesh bag, which usually comes with your sleeping bag. This keeps the down fluffy, maintains the integrity of the fabric and prevents it from clumping.

Store loosely
Avoid compressing your sleeping bag or storing it in an airtight container. Repeatedly folding or compressing the same part of the sleeping bag may damage the shell and down. Never vacuum seal down gear.

Keep cool, dry and out of the light
To prolong the life of your CoreVibe sleeping bag, store it in a cool, dry environment away from light. Keep it away from moisture, excessive heat, insects, and direct sunlight to ensure that your sleeping bag stays in top condition for more adventures. For more tips on camping gear maintenance, check out our tent maintenance guide.