They can also be washed by hand in an extra-large sink or bathtub.

However, sleeping bags can lose insulation each time they’re cleaned, so wash them sparingly.

Here’s how to wash, dry, maintain, and store your sleeping bags.

Green and blue sleeping bag inside tent with door open near lake

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

double-check you have an enzyme-based stain remover, a scrub brush, and high-efficiency detergent before getting started.

Read The Care Label

All sleeping bags are legally required to have acare labelwith cleaning instructions.

Check to see if these instructions have any special requirements, and follow them if they do.

Materials and tools to clean a sleeping bag

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Tip

it’s possible for you to clean both down and synthetic-filled sleeping bags with this method.

However, if you’re washing a down bag, see to it to use a down-specific detergent instead.

go for the Temperature and Cycle

Place your sleeping bag inside an agitator-free washing machine.

Care label held up from synthetic sleeping bag before cleaning

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Wash your sleeping bag in cold or lukewarm water with the permanent press or gentle cycle.

If your dryer is too small for your bag, air-dry it on a drying rack or clothesline.

you’re able to wash a sleeping bag by hand too.

Stains removed from synthetic sleeping bag with enzyme-based stain remover and scrub brush

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

If your sleeping bag has a removable liner, the liner can be washed after every use.

Turn it out, and hang it to air dry.

To remove more stubborn stains, use an enzyme-based stain remover.

Blue synthetic sleeping bag placed in washing machine

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Feel the insulation to see if it’s evenly distributed.

You may occasionally notice feathers poking out of a new down sleeping bagthis is normal.

Before new bags settle, it’s common for down to test the seams.

Green and blue synthetic sleeping bag placed on drying rack to air dry

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Simply push the quills back in.

You may need to replace your sleeping bag’s waterproof coating once it starts to wear off.

Look for a durable water repellent (DWR) product to replace it.

Washing machine set to second rinse cycle for sleeping bag

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Always keep the bag in a cool, dry space to prevent mildew growth.

Avoid damp basements and unheated (and uncooled) areas like garages, attics, and car trunks.

A removable, washable liner will keep sweat and body oils off the bag, keeping it clean longer.

Laundry detergent poured into bottle cap for washing sleeping bag

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Down fill takes longer to dry than synthetic.

Wipe any spots with full-strength vinegar to kill and eliminate mold and mildew.

This will kill the spores and deodorize the sleeping bag.

Sleeping bag being repaired with needle and tread

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska

Sleeping bag rolled in mesh laundry bag for storage

The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska