Washing a down bag

[Ivor Tingting]

Article about the (potential) health impacts of dry cleaning https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/18/dry-cleaning-toxic-process-carcinogen-cancer

Ian

DO NOT DRY CLEAN A DOWN SLEEPING BAG OR JACKET AS IT WILL RUIN IT.

[Ivor Tingting]

Hello,
I have machine washed (at home) a very expensive 4 season down bag. Used down wash liquid and tumble dried in the machine. I recall the drying took around 60 minutes and I took the bag out of the machine around 6 times to shake it up. The bag turned out clean and seems as good as new.
John

What my seem dry to the touch on the surface is likely still damp in the middle of the down. Down bags rot from the inside. It is unlikely that after 60 minutes of drying your bag was properly dry ALL the way through. You could tumble dry one for a whole day in a domestic dryer and it will cost a fortune and still not get the bag dry in the middle. A specialist cleaner would be my choice.

[Ivor Tingting]

I have been using down kit for the best part of 40 years, so have been known to wash it from time to time and I did a web page on it.

DIY works okay, but I've absolutely never regretted going to the extra expense of using a professional specialist down cleaner (I used to use Franklins, but they're sadly no more AFAICT). They do a better job, and in respect of the time = money equations you don't need to value your time very much to at least break even.

By using liners to help keep the bag cleaner in use I go several years between cleans. For down jackets I make a point of only using them in Proper Cold, and mine loft noticeably better than similar examples regularly used as day-to-day and pub coats. Prevention is better (and cheaper!) than cure.

Pete.

This ^^^^^^. For an expensive or precious bag synthetic or down, a liner is a must. Easier to clean a liner than the bag.

[Ivor Tingting]

It's not dirty at all, just gets a bit pongy by the end of a cycle tour. I guess I could go to cotswolds where I bought it from to see what they say. When I'm not using it I hang it up to air and it seems ok. So I might just leave it! I've been careful never to get it wet and use a liner.

What make of bag is it? If it's a Rab bag, Rab offer a cleaning service which has been about £35 this year for their bags and a bit less for down jackets or coats. They will clean any of their bags or jackets even non down if you so wish. They have large industrial dryers so your bag or jacket comes back like brand new if there is no damage to it. Rab also deflock all the down so it lofts properly therefore keeping you warm as it should. Also them washing it means it is done properly and their life time warranty is maintained. These days hydrophobic down is pretty moisture repellent. If you get a sleeping bag wet whether synthetic or down you have a problem getting them dry as they take an age to dry even in the height of UK summer. Don't even bother trying to clean one in a UK winter as you will NEVER get it dry. If you are going to clean it yourself do it in summer.

[Bonefishblues]

Hello,
I have machine washed (at home) a very expensive 4 season down bag. Used down wash liquid and tumble dried in the machine. I recall the drying took around 60 minutes and I took the bag out of the machine around 6 times to shake it up. The bag turned out clean and seems as good as new.
John

What my seem dry to the touch on the surface is likely still damp in the middle of the down. Down bags rot from the inside. It is unlikely that after 60 minutes of drying your bag was properly dry ALL the way through. You could tumble dry one for a whole day in a domestic dryer and it will cost a fortune and still not get the bag dry in the middle. A specialist cleaner would be my choice.

It's a good point, I had meant to reply thus when I saw this drying estimate. My wife's 3/4 length down coat took way longer than this to dry, I recall.

[thirdcrank]

Ill repeat my point above that the only way to ensure that something is as dry when you have finished as it was when you started is to weigh it. Especially when still warm to the touch straight out of s dryer, something that feels dry may still be holding quite a lot of water.

[Bonefishblues]

Good tip

[leftpoole]

Hello,
I have machine washed (at home) a very expensive 4 season down bag. Used down wash liquid and tumble dried in the machine. I recall the drying took around 60 minutes and I took the bag out of the machine around 6 times to shake it up. The bag turned out clean and seems as good as new.
John

What my seem dry to the touch on the surface is likely still damp in the middle of the down. Down bags rot from the inside. It is unlikely that after 60 minutes of drying your bag was properly dry ALL the way through. You could tumble dry one for a whole day in a domestic dryer and it will cost a fortune and still not get the bag dry in the middle. A specialist cleaner would be my choice.

It's a good point, I had meant to reply thus when I saw this drying estimate. My wife's 3/4 length down coat took way longer than this to dry, I recall.

Hello,
It was some time ago. It was an estimate of poor memory. I had a wife then and she was responsible for doing it. I recall a morning spent on it and so the drying may have been longer. The time of an hour was an 'off the cuff' remark.
AllI know, is that it worked very well.
There are always others who like to make a point!
Regards,
John

[Bonefishblues]

What my seem dry to the touch on the surface is likely still damp in the middle of the down. Down bags rot from the inside. It is unlikely that after 60 minutes of drying your bag was properly dry ALL the way through. You could tumble dry one for a whole day in a domestic dryer and it will cost a fortune and still not get the bag dry in the middle. A specialist cleaner would be my choice.

It's a good point, I had meant to reply thus when I saw this drying estimate. My wife's 3/4 length down coat took way longer than this to dry, I recall.

Hello,
It was some time ago. It was an estimate of poor memory. I had a wife then and she was responsible for doing it. I recall a morning spent on it and so the drying may have been longer. The time of an hour was an 'off the cuff' remark.
AllI know, is that it worked very well.
There are always others who like to make a point!
Regards,
John

And others who take constructive comments as personal criticism too, perhaps? If not dried properly a down bag can be ruined, which is why the comment was a useful one.