Washing a down bag?

[andymiller]

There's nothing wrong with washing by hand so long as you do it with a soap product (eg 'Liquid Soap Flakes'). You will then have to be pretty patient waiting for it to dry - and the feathers will tend to clump up, but IME shaking the bag and teasing out the clumps does do the trick (taking it down to your laundrette after it's had a few days to dry might be a good idea). But for a big bulky bag paying for a professional is definitely going to be less time and trouble.

[profpointy]

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.

I agreee with the franklins of sheffield recommendation. My attempts to wash a sleeping bag in the bath then dry in a launderette dryer did not lead to a good outcome.

Franklins did a good job at an acceptable price, and somewhat recovered my partly ruined bag.

I'd not personally trust a local dry cleaners, especially if actually dry cleaning, rather than sending it off to a specialist (like franklins)

[alpgirl]

I'd not personally trust a local dry cleaners, especially if actually dry cleaning, rather than sending it off to a specialist (like franklins)

No quite right. You can't dry clean down. The solvents aren't good for it. I took our double down duvet to Johnson's and they had it sent off for washing. Came back good as new. Saves the hassle of packing it up and posting it yourself!