TIL most people are washing their sleeping bags wrong

I was at a campground near Portland last weekend and overheard someone bragging about tossing their down bag in the wash with regular detergent. That's basically ruining a $300 piece of gear because soap strips the natural oils from the feathers. I made that mistake myself two years ago on my old North Face bag and it never fluffed back up right. You're supposed to use a special cleaner like Nikwax or Grangers, and even then you gotta dry it on low with tennis balls for like 4 hours. The guy didn't believe me until I showed him the clumpy spots on my bag. Why do people assume camping gear works the same as regular laundry?

2 comments

2 Comments

hart.ryan1mo ago

I mean, is it really that serious though? Sure, maybe hot water and regular soap isn't ideal for a down bag, but I've washed mine with normal detergent for years and it still keeps me warm just fine. It's probably good enough for the average person who's not trying to get 10 seasons out of their gear.

gibson.sean1mo agoMost Upvoted

Hear you out, but gotta push back a little on the detergent thing. Regular detergent has brighteners and enzymes that can really strip the natural oils from down feathers over time. It might feel warm now, but those feathers lose loft gradually and you won't notice until one cold night when your bag isn't doing its job. Even for someone who only camps a few times a year, losing 10-15% of insulation could make a chilly trip way more miserable than it needs to be. Have you ever checked the loft on your bag after a few washes with that stuff?