To ensure the overall enjoyment of a trip, it is very important that you wake up fresh for the next day’s trek. A comfortable sleep at the end of a hectic day is what all the travellers wish for! While on a trip, sleeping bag becomes your eternal companion and needs a proper care to stay with you for years to come. Following some simple care tips may make your sleeping bag look fine and usable.

Even if the bag is designed using down or is made of synthetic, it is essential to keep it clean, protected and dry whenever you go camping. The sleeping bag tends to last longer if cleaned frequently. So we have brought you some cleaning tricks useful for the bag which when followed, ensure that the bag’s insulation stays intact.

Ensure a Clean Bag

It is necessary to always take care of the storage for your bag or you can simply make a special space for it in the store room. It is recommended that you avoid placing it on the ground as it is capable of gathering dirt. Also, it is essential that you don’t try to eat or drink in your sleeping bag and wear clean clothes while sleeping in them otherwise it might start smelling bad.

Air Drying Always Works

Even if you need to spend a whole day for air drying the bag, you must follow the method. By simply turning it inside-out for drying out moisture, you can eliminate the odour and dirt. It is suggested that you don't keep your sleeping bag under direct sunlight for long, as UV rays may degrade its synthetic fabric. But if your bag is still wet, it becomes important to air it out for some time. You must try to air it out as soon as you return home.

Cleaning the Spots

Washing a sleeping bag might cause wear and tear and may reduce its loft. Spot cleaning is believed to be the best way to vanish the stains. You can easily do so by preparing a smooth paste of regular soap and water and gently cleaning its shell with a toothbrush. You must take care of its hood and collar area because hair and skin oils usually get accumulated here. You must hold the shell or liner fabric away from its insulation, it becomes quite easy to wash and rinse the area without letting its inner side fill with water.

What Not to Do

Dry cleaning the sleeping bag is a suggested method, as solvents may strip off natural oils from the fabric and may form a loft. Also, avoid cleaning the sleeping bag using a top load washing machine because its agitator may rip off the seams easily.

Loosen it up

You must avoid using the compression sacks for storing the sleeping bag. If the bag is compressed for long, it will loosen its loft which will lead to cold spots. It is highly recommended to use a large cotton sack for your sleeping bag’s loose storage. You can even hang it in a closet or simply lay it under the bed.

Inspect the Damages

Once you have returned from a camping trip, it is recommended that you check your sleeping bag for any scratches, tears, loose stitch or debris and check if the zipper still works properly. You should take out time for the repairs and polishing whenever you head out for the next trip.

Sleeping bags are an essential accessory once you get back from a trip. The bag ensures a snuggly sleep at the end of the day. So, it becomes very important that you keep it hygienic and clean always. You might look out for a professional help in case you observe some serious tear or hole in the bag.