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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Gear Forum :: Wash a synthetic sleeping bag?
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| BuckFlicks |
Here's the important part: Use an extra spin cycle. This will keep you from having to run it in the dryer for too long. When you do put it in the dryer, toss a couple tennis balls or dryer balls in and use a low temp. Worked like a champ. I haven't washed my down bag yet, but I will need to before my next trip. |
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| scramble4a5 |
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| drnatus |
First of all, as I said my HE washer is a top loader with no agitator and has a 5.2 cu ft capacity- so it is about as big as you can get. 1. I put the sleeping bag in on "Delicate" cycle. 2. Temperature was set to "Semi Warm" (cold would likely work but, these bags were RIPE) 3. I added "Soak" to the cycle. 4. I added "Extra Rinse" to the cycle. 5. Soak the bag in cold tap water in a basin inside the utility sink until the bag is heavily saturated. Put bag in washer. This starts the process and "tricks" the HE washer to think there are more clothes inside and use a larger amount of water. 6. Start the Cycle 7. Wait until you can see the basin filled with water the I added about 3/4 cup of Zote Laundry Flakes Very inexpensive soap. I would NOT use this soap on a down bag. Would use a down specific soap. 8. My dryer is also very large capacity 7.0 cu ft. I put in 3 tennis balls and set the temp to "Extra Low Delicates". Ran it until dry, no specific time. Have done 4 bags now and all have come out smelling great, insulation seems well distributed and are fluffy. No damage from dryer. 5th bag is in the washer now. Will try to report back with an update. This worked for me. However, my washer and dryer are about as large capacity as one can buy as a consumer -YMMV- I assume no risk if you ruin your bag. You will likely ruin your warranty if you do this on a newer bag. Mine were not new, some were 9 years old and had only been washed once at a laundry mat. I saved a ton of time by doing this at home. |
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| jrlatt |
Happy trails |
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| OldFingers57 |
quote scramble4a5: "quote s500yards: "I washed my montbell synthetic in a top loader (agitator less) with no issues whatsoever. Definitely use a gentle cycle like you said. " It is best to dry in a dryer to get all of the moisture out and to also loft the insulation. The reason they suggest a large capacity commercial is so it fluffs/lofts the insulation better as the bag as more room. |
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| s500yards |
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| scramble4a5 |
quote s500yards: "I washed my montbell synthetic in a top loader (agitator less) with no issues whatsoever. Definitely use a gentle cycle like you said. " That's great to know. Did you air dry it or put it in the dryer? Thanks. |
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| SouthernExposure |
SE |
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| drnatus |
I know that old recommendations are for a front loader, but that seems to be from the time when top loaders only had agitators. Also all of the manufacturer web sites recommend "mild powder soap". What is that? I can only find "detergents" or any of the "tech soaps" are liquid. I also want to use my large home drier on the very lowest setting (even have an air only setting if needed). I know there are companies one can send a bag to for $40, but I have young smelly boys (should have given them liners) and will likely have to do this again and again (even with the liners....have you smelt a preteen/teen boy!!!!) |
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| boonie |
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| OldFingers57 |
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