6 key points of prolonging the service life of sleeping bags

No matter how good the sleeping bag is, it needs cleaning after frequent use.

Cleaning sleeping bags can not only remove dirt, but also help to prevent odor and restore the feeling of heaviness.

It is suggested that the sleeping bag should be partially cleaned after each camping activity, and a deep cleaning should be carried out at the end of one year's camping activity.

Of course, people who often camp can clean their sleeping bags more often and deeply. As long as you use the right method, there is no risk of damaging the sleeping bags.

Today, we will talk about how to clean, store and maintain sleeping bags.

Firstly, the local cleaning of sleeping bags.

Experienced campers will constantly clean their sleeping bags in the local area during the whole camping season.

Usually, after each camping trip, it takes a few minutes to check whether the sleeping bag is damaged (such as holes and tears).

During the inspection, it takes several minutes to clean up some serious stains, especially sticky substances such as pine mucus or other dirt.

It's easy to clean the sleeping bag locally, only a soft brush and a bar of soap are needed.

For heavier stains, use mild soapy water and scrub gently with a soft brush. Then remember to rinse the soap before storing the sleeping bag and dry the cleaned area thoroughly.

Second, how to clean the sleeping bag in the washing machine.

You must be especially careful when cleaning sleeping bags in the washing machine to prevent damage. 

For synthetic fiber sleeping bags and down sleeping bags, the following points should be noted.

1. Use the drum washing machine to clean the sleeping bag, whether it is a synthetic fiber sleeping bag or feather sleeping bag. Washing machine with turbines often entangles the sleeping bags and destroys its internal structure.

2. Avoid using washing powder, and use down jacket detergent special for down sleeping bags. Synthetic fiber sleeping bag, soap solution can do.

3. In order to prevent the zipper of the sleeping bag from being damaged, never wash the sleeping bag by machine without unzipping.

4. It is a safe and effective method to choose the mild washing mode of the washing machine and use warm water.

5. Be sure to rinse off the residue of laundry detergent and soap, which will affect the warm-keeping effect of sleeping bags. 

It is recommended to carry out at least two or three complete flushing processes.

Note: Before cleaning, be sure to carefully check the cleaning suggestions of the manufacturer. Some sleeping bags need special cleaning methods.

Thirdly, the drying and airing of sleeping bags.

Proper drying is just as important as drying sleeping bags and proper cleaning.

1. It is much safer to dry for a long time than any other drying method, because the nylon fabric in the sleeping bag is easily damaged by high temperature.

2. If drying is used, it is better to use a bigger dryer. This will give the sleeping bag more space to roll.

3. Adding two or three tennis balls to the dryer is helpful to stretch the sleeping bag and achieve a better drying effect, which is particularly important for down sleeping bags.

4. Increase the drying process of the dryer, and keep the dryer running until the sleeping bag is completely dried.

5. Leave the sleeping bag outside for at least 24 hours after drying, and then put it in the storage bag. 

Sleeping bags should be completely dry before being stored.

Four, how to keep the sleeping bag clean when camping.

Sleeping bag lining is the most effective way to keep the inside of sleeping bag clean when camping.

Liners are easier to clean than sleeping bags. For campers, the lining of sleeping bag helps keep your sleeping bag away from sweat and body fat.

The lining of the sleeping bag can also keep the sleeping bag warm above 5 degrees Celsius, of course, depending on the lining material.

In hot climate, the lining of sleeping bag can be used without sleeping bag.

Type of sleeping bag lining (according to material type).

1, silk:

Very light and compact, silk is insulated in cold weather, but it absorbs water and breathes air in warm weather.

2, cotton:

It is durable, good in water absorption and economic.

3, fleece and superfine fleece.

Fleeced fabrics are soft, absorb moisture and dry quickly, but medium-sized and heavyweight fleece fabrics are bulky and heavy. 

4, synthetic fiber:

It absorbs moisture and breathes air, which is very suitable for humid environments and has certain extensibility, which is no problem for sleepers who like to turn over.

In addition to the lining of sleeping bags, wearing clothes before going to bed can make your sleeping bag cleaner (and help keep warm at night).

Be sure to use a sleeping pad. Even in a tent, the sleeping mat adds a layer of protection between the ground and your sleeping bag, keeping it clean and preventing damage. Of course, it also increases the heat preservation and comfort of sleep.

Spend a little time cleaning the sleeping bag every morning, and remove any weeds and pebbles that have fallen into the bag.

Following these suggestions can greatly reduce the frequency of cleaning sleeping bags when camping and working in the wild. They also help to extend the life of sleeping bags.

Five, repair the sleeping bag after camping.

In addition to local cleaning and regular deep cleaning, you should spend a few minutes checking your sleeping bag after each camping trip to prevent wear and tear, so as not to cause more serious injuries.

If the sleeping bag is found to have small holes or damage, it should be repaired in time. You can sew it by hand, or you can buy some special glue to repair the hole in your sleeping bag.

Check whether the zipper of the sleeping bag is damaged and repair it if necessary.

The waterproof performance of sleeping bags will decrease with the increase of the number of use. If you notice that the cloth can reflect too much water, it means that the waterproof property of sleeping bags needs to be increased. There is a special waterproof spray to improve and repair the waterproof performance of sleeping bags.

Most sleeping bags can be repaired by yourself, but for the overhaul of sleeping bags, do not do it yourself, but go to a professional maintenance agency.

Six, how to store sleeping bags.

To prolong the service life of sleeping bags, the most important factor is to store sleeping bags correctly.

Sleeping bags are a good choice for camping and backpacking, but many people always pack their sleeping bags in compression bags.

Of course, when you are in the wild, this kind of compression is convenient to carry, but over time, long-term compression will destroy the internal structure of the sleeping bag.

Compression for more than a few months may cause the sleeping bag to permanently lose their efficient heat insulation performance.

It is suggested that you often take your sleeping bag out of the storage bag, let it naturally fluffy, and then store it.

My personal sleeping bag is hung in the closet for storage, which not only make it completely dry, but also allows the air to flow freely in the fiber structure of the sleeping bag.

If you have to store sleeping bag, it is recommended that your storage bag be loose and breathable.

It must be remembered that before storing the sleeping bag, it must be completely dry and stored in a cool and dry place to avoid getting wet.

Of course, every sleeping bag will eventually have all kinds of injuries and wear.

But with proper care, cleaning and storage, the life of sleeping bags should be longer. If properly maintained, many sleeping bags can be used for more than 10 years.