[pct-l] washing sleeping bags

[surferskir at aol.com]

I have washed my zero degree Eastern Mountain Sports down bag two or three times,(its about 12 years old), with great results.
It is worth it to go to a laundramat with a large commercial washer and dryer.  might take $6 or $7 worth of quarters, but it is worth it.  Then take it out and let it drip for a few minutes, DO NOT WRING IT.  Then into the large commercial dryer with tennis balls (3) minimum, or a clean pair of tennis shoes. tumble on LOW, take it out and fluff it a few times, so it may take a few hours and a few quarters.

--Dennis--


-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Alcorn <backpack45 at yahoo.com>
To: pct-l <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Thu, Apr 4, 2013 2:53 pm
Subject: Re: [pct-l] washing sleeping bags


John asked if anyone has ever successfully washed a down sleeping bag--and my 
reply is yes. Not sure why you had disastrous results, but I have used your 
method (described following) with minor differences, and all went well. After 
washing, I lay the bag out on our picnic table on a sunny day to do some initial 

drying. Then I put it in a commercial dryer--with the tennis ball--until fluffy. 

Has anyone else had good or bad experiences washing their bags?
Susan "backpack45" Alcorn

"I always use a silk sleeping bag liner. I use one because I am very
reluctant to ever try cleaning a down sleeping bag again.  About 10 years
ago I attempted to clean a high end bag that was 20 years old at the time.
I used the special down soap, I hand washed it in the bathtub, I dried it
on low in a commercial drier at the laundromat with tennis balls, I did
everything by the book, and essentially I ruined the bag.  It clumped so
bad that it is now unusable.  It doesn't really matter because I have since
moved on to much lighter sleeping bags, actually I use a quilt from
enLightened Equipment now, but it still irritates me that I couldn't clean
that bag properly.  Has anyone actually successfully cleaned a down
sleeping bag?  Incidentally, I am very impressed with the enlightened
Equipment RevelationX 20 degree quilt.  It is a true 20 degree quilt. I
think their 30 degree quilt would be a fine 3 season quilt for me, but I am
a warm sleeper.
 
Shepherd Canyon Books, Oakland, CA 
www.backpack45.com and backpack45.blogspot.com
http://www.examiner.com/hiking-in-san-francisco/susan-alcorn

Publishers of Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine; Camino 
Chronicle: Walking to Santiago and We're in the Mountains Not over the Hill: 
Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers.



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