Do not use harsh laundry detergents.
Non detergent laundry soap for sleeping bags.
Drying must be done low and slow.
I ve washed everything from brand new delicates in cold to heavy duty loads in hot.
Down can never be dried at a high temperature.
Next choose a detergent for cleaning.
Plus front load washers have a higher capacity and will accommodate large items like comforters sleeping bags and pillows.
Specialty soaps designed for cleaning down or synthetic sleeping bags are highly recommended.
I thought dreft soap flakes would work but the box said detergent when i find it i ll wash in warm water in the bathtub taking the bag into pieces as much as i can.
But any mild soap like ivory snow or woolite works fine if you rinse completely.
This laundry soap works.
Sometimes all your bag needs is a little tlc not a full blown bath.
If your dryer isn t working reliably on low heat go visit a neighbor.
The clothes are getting nicely clean and with just a tiny scoop.
Because washing a sleeping bag subjects it to wear and tear and decreases the loft spot cleaning is your first line of defense.
Cold water most delicate cycle of the machine i e my machine has a handwash cycle delicate normal and heavy duty.
Use whatever is most delicate for your machine.
Mild non detergent means something along the lines of woolite.
Due to the way down sleeping bags are manufactured they re more sensitive to water and can actually sustain damage making it unusable if it gets too wet.
Strip back from all the ingredients and fragrances in laundry detergent now and you have this a very old formula for laundry soap.
If your sleeping bag is really dirty pre soak by filling a handwashing sink with lukewarm water and adding a small amount of mild laundry soap.
Down soap is a must have.
For the majority of synthetic sleeping bags the recommended steps for how to wash at the laundromat are as follows.
So your first step must be to purchase a laundry soap specifically made for down feathers i e.
There is no scent left on the clothes.
One that won t ruin them.
Zip all zippers and close all velcro attachments.
The eagle creek website and other places say to use a non detergent soap but i m not sure what that means.
Dryer with low heat setting.
These are special non detergent soaps that won t strip the oil from the down in your sleeping bag.
You might do a second rinse cycle as well.
You ll also want to gather some old cotton bath towels and a few tennis balls.
Before you do anything buy yourself a product made especially for washing down such as nikwax down wash.
Make a paste of a little non detergent soap and water and use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell.