A sleeping bag is an indispensable thing for going out into the countryside, a long hike, as well as for a summer residence, if there is a cold snap, and there is no heating system in the house. Like other expensive tourist paraphernalia, a sleeping bag needs quality care.
Can I wash
Often it is not recommended to wash sleeping bags: this leads to accelerated wear, the appearance of microcracks, holes, wear and even a decrease in thermal insulation. But the “deposit” of sand and other contaminants is an extra discomfort in an already energy-consuming campaign.
The sleeping bag can be washed in a washing machine under certain conditions. It is better to make sure that this is permitted by looking at the product label. The bona fide manufacturer will indicate all necessary prohibitory badges.
Miss Cleanliness magazine recommends that you stain the spots on the sleeping bag locally, and send it to the drum of the machine only as a last resort. Insulation, both natural and artificial, from frequent washes quickly loses its properties.
The average frequency of machine washings is once a year, depending on the intensity of use and the nature of the pollution. Hand wash is also acceptable.
How to wash
Machine wash helps a lot and saves the power of the hostess when you need to wash something voluminous and heavy. But keep in mind that a sleeping bag, or rather its filler, is damaged by high temperatures, aggressive pressing and improper detergents.
How to wash a sleeping bag in a car:
- Turn off the spin function. This is the main cause of damage to the sleeping bag.
- Suitable modes are Delicate or Hand Wash.
- Water temperature - 30 degrees, maximum 40 (only with severe pollution).
- Granular powders should not be used: they are poorly rinsed from the filler. Choose gels with a gentle composition. Discard whitening ingredients in a cleaner.
- Do not remove the product from the drum immediately after washing: let unpressed water drain a little. Or move the bag into the basin for 40 minutes. Be careful when removing, do not pull on the fabric, so as not to damage the filler.
Wash sleeping bags turned inside out! Thoroughly shake out all sand and other debris before immersing in the drum. Fasten all zippers, relax puffs. If washing has not been done for a long time, and the fabric has become covered with serious dirt, try to soak the bag for 10-20 minutes, and then send it to the machine.
Tip
If the sleeping bag is very old, and there are already visible signs of deformation of the filler, then select only local cleaning of stains, or hand wash.
How to clean small stains without total washing:
- Dilute a warm solution in a basin with baby or household soap, you can take shampoo.
- Dip a soft brush or sponge into the solution. If the stain is small, then an old toothbrush will do.
- Rub the dirt, let the detergent act for a few minutes if necessary.
- Rinse the solution with clean water, wiping the material with a rag.
Important
If the sleeping bag has downy filler, use only special washing gels. Dry cleaning is prohibited. For sinteponovye and holofiberny sleeping bags, ordinary washing gels are suitable. The composition of the filler, see the product label.
Hand wash
Hand washing is not only a gentle care option, but sometimes the only way to wash it. For example, especially warm models of sleeping bags Alexika reach 5.5 kg of weight, and not every machine will accommodate them.
Before hand washing, the same manipulations are performed: unscrew the bag, shake out the garbage, and if necessary, treat stubborn stains with household soap. It is better to wash a large sleeping bag right in the bathroom or in a huge basin.
An interesting way to wash a sleeping bag in a bath:
- Fill the bathtub a third with warm water, dilute the detergent.
- Put the sleeping bag on the bottom.
- Stand on his feet and stomp about 10-15 minutes.
- Drain the soap solution and fill the bathtub with clean water.
- Rinse the product carefully with your hands, replace the water a couple more times.
- Do not wring or unscrew the sleeping bag, just push it a little and leave it in the bathroom so that part of the glass water.
After washing, it remains to dry the equipment correctly. The bag is laid out on a horizontal surface, preferably on absorbent terry cloth. Or use a dryer, substituting a basin for water under it.
And a few tips in the end: never leave the sleeping bag wet after the trip, dry it, do not expose it to long-term ultraviolet radiation, use inserts and sleep in clean clothes, keep the product away from the fire.
Washing a sleeping bag can be done at home, but if you are afraid for an expensive product, entrust it with professional cleaning services.