Washing a down bag?

[Sweep]

Hope this is the best place to post this.

My quality sleeping bag (Mountain Equipment) eventually needs a wash after a number of years I'm ashamed to admit to - slept in it last night as a test pre a trip and it disturbed an otherwise perfect sleep.

So anyone got any hot tips on how to do this as easily and effectively as possible?

It won't really fit properly in my domestic washer/drier.

I have a launderette nearby.

Or can I just hand wash it in a clean bath since it's only really the inside surface that I would think would need cleaning?

Is washing meant to somehow clean the inside/stuffing?

The washing instructions say that it can be dried it in a tumble drier on the low setting but I'm not sure if this is a must (to fluff the insides back up?) or whether I can just air dry it outside on a decent day.

Also, the washing instructiosn say to use "non-detergent soap" - just what exactly is this? Please don't say I could google it - I'm relying on the helpfulness and knowledge of you good folks.

Looking forward to your replies/help.

[snibgo]

I've always used a bath, and bath soap. It takes about three days to dry.

[simonineaston]

I have used this product successfully:
http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/products/pr ... roductid=2 (there are helpful tips on these pages, too)
and then tumble dried on a low heat with tennis balls...

[Sweep]

Thanks chaps - more replies welcome.

snibgo - can I ask what you mean by bath soap?

Three days drying - I assume you just mean air drying leaving it to hang?

[jaz]

Hi there, I am in exactly the same situation and have been doing some research on this subject (I'm just about to wash mine for the first time). I have a down filled Alpkit bag, so I'm going for a gentle clean in the bath using pure soap flakes (Boots sell them). The upside is that I can be pretty sure I won't harm the bag this way, but it does take time. I will then air dry it. If I had a launderette close by (which I don't) I might try to tumble dry it there, but only if I could be certain that the machine has a low enough heat setting first.

Alpkit mention a professional cleaning service, but when I checked this, it was quite expensive (£35)

There's more info here on the recommended hand washing method and other options- I assume this will apply to other quality brands like yours.

http://www.alpkit.com/support/stickies/cleaning-down-sleeping-bags

[andrew_s]

Silk liners are an awful lot easier to wash than a down bag
[shuts stable door]

[alpgirl]

I have always been recommended Franklins of Sheffield. It will cost, but save an awful lot of hassle. Rab reckons 6 hours drying in a dryer!!!!!!!!!

http://rab.uk.com/love-your-rab/down-care.html

Alternatively, your local dry cleaners will offer this service, and you won't have to pay postage.

[alpgirl]

Silk liners are an awful lot easier to wash than a down bag
[shuts stable door]

True, but the dirt and sweat all gets through eventually!

[nmnm]

The alpkit page mentioned above is very thorough. I'm sure they used to recommend a £50 pro clean so the £35 feels like value to me. I did read one forum post by someone that said they'd done all the de-clumping drying by hand stuff and would just pay the £35 next time. I think I'd follow that advice for bags above £150 or so, maybe give diy a go for cheaper bags, particularly less down-filled ones like my £60 Vango venom 225 summer bag (dreadful -most of the down is on the top so you wake up with the cold if you turn over!).

[snibgo]

Bath soap is, well, the soap I use when I have a bath. Just a cheap, non-perfumed bar of soap. I put it in the bath so it slightly dissolves when the water gushes in.

I think the problem with detergents is that they are designed to get rid of the stuff that makes down work: fine oils etc. Think about a duck cleaning itself: it uses water, nothing else. Detergents (and perhaps even just pure soap) might make the down less effective at trapping air.

Three days drying: yes, that's in the air. Beware that the bag will be extremely heavy when it comes out of the bath. It's a huge sponge, so most of the water will come with it. You need to let water drain out before you can hang it up. I drape mine across a couple of parallel washing lines. And when the bag is nearly dry, it rains.

It's a time-consuming job. £35 could be a bargain.

[jjpeterberger]

As has previously been mentioned, I've always used the Nikwax down cleaning products with very good results. Just follow the directions on the bottle and use a LARGE capacity, front loading commercial washer. This will reduce the strain on the internal stitching so that the fill stays put.

For drying, again, a LARGE capacity commercial dryer on the warm setting works well. Throw in 3 or 4 clean tennis balls to help keep the feathers from clumping. At this temperature setting, it might take 45 minutes or more to dry so bring a book.

Jay

[BeeKeeper]

Mountain Equipment have instructions for washing their down bags here: http://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/hel ... down_bags/

Note that at the bottom are details of 2 companies offering a proffessional service, which given the cost of some down bags might be worth considering.

[indio32]

Hope this is the best place to post this.

My quality sleeping bag (Mountain Equipment)

So anyone got any hot tips on how to do this as easily and effectively as possible?

It won't really fit properly in my domestic washer/drier.

I have a launderette nearby.

Or can I just hand wash it in a clean bath

Is washing meant to somehow clean the inside/stuffing?

The washing instructions say that it can be dried it in a tumble drier on the low setting but I'm not sure if this is a must (to fluff the insides back up?) or whether I can just air dry it outside on a decent day.

Also, the washing instructiosn say to use "non-detergent soap" - just what exactly is this? Please don't say I could google it - I'm relying on the helpfulness and knowledge of you good folks.

Looking forward to your replies/help.

Can I just start by asking why you want to do this when a proper professional down cleaning service is available for such a reasonable price?

I don't quite know where to start with your other questions but as your asking for helpful and knowledgable answers I'd suggest you just pay up.

The longer answer is that your local laundrette will charge £4? for a large wash and will last (if your lucky) 30-40 mins or 18-25 mins if your not. This will almost certainly include a pre-wash, main wash, spins in-between and then 3 rinses and a final spin or but basically a crap wash. A non-detergent soap is a soap without detergent. You need to use this type of soap because detergents strip the essential oils from the feathers (all you need to know is thats very BAD). Its almost impossible to ensure that theres not detergent residue in a laundrette. Now once your badly washed sleeping bag has gone through it final spin at what 800rpm? (the more water left in items = more profit in the dryers) the thing will weigh a ton and you have to get it out and into the dryers without ripping any internal baffles..... good luck!!! Now with the bag in the dryer set on cool and some tennis balls to brake up the down clumps you'll need to tumble dry it till its 100% dry. Last time I used a laundrette dryer it cost 20 pence for 3 minutes. Your down bag, I am telling you will take HOURS to fully dry.

forget doing this yourself.... just pay up!

[indio32]

it might take 45 minutes or more to dry

I think that 4.5 hours is more realistic.

I washed my -2 rated down bag and it took about 4 hours to dry in a commercial dryer.

[Vorpal]

I wash down stuff (sleeping bags, duvets, etc.) in a normal, low temperature cycle in the washing machine. I use washing liquid made for woolens. You can put down in the tumble dryer, but it will also dry fine hanging. When drying a down sleeping bag by hanging, it is best to shake it out every couple of hours (at least during the day). That will keep the down from clumping as it dries, and help it dry quicker. Save it for a dry day, or use the airing cupboard. If it takes too long to dry, it can get mildew.