Successfully washed sleeping bag!
Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2012 1:52 pm
I had never washed my WM Super Atelope bag in over 5 years. I had washed other down bags in the past but as expensive as WM bags are, I was hesitant. Well, the thing just go so stinky that I had to bite the bullet and wash it. I chose the bathtub washing vs machine but I used the wash machine to spin out most of the water. First I filled the tub with tepid water, put in 1/3 bottle of Nixwax Down Wash (about 3 oz) then put in the bag. It was a battle between the air that would not get out of the baffles and me trying to push it all under water. The air won. I never did get that air out, but the down settled underwater and after much hand kneeding, I got it clean. I then drained the tub, and turned on the shower (cold water) and let it run a few minutes. Then it was a huge chore to gently squeeze out the water. Then I filled the tub again with tepid water with another 1/3 bottle of Down Wash and repeated. Second rinse. Third rinse. When I though all suds and dirt were out, I let it drain in the tub several hours. Now I had to get it from the tub to the washing machine down the hall. I put a big towel in a wagon that I had for the grandkids. I gently scooted the bag into the wagon. I have a front loading washing machine. I wheeled the wagon up to the door and gently pushed the bag into the washer. Then I began a process of spin-only cycles. First 3 were on "gentle", next 3 on "low spin" and last three on "medium" spin. By that time a the bag actually felt dry although the down was still clumped. Then transfer to the dryer where I did numerous 10-minute cycle on air-dry/delicate setting. By that time it was night so I pulled it out and set it on the couch. In the morning I repeated the drying (about 5 cycles). It is now nice and fluffy, but the down at the head is still slightly damp. If it does not air-dry I will have to try the dryer again. Right now there are no clumps left, the loft is fantastic, and it smells great. It does not appear that I broke any inner baffels.
What I learned- a down bag is not that easy to get totally soaked. I now will worry less about a little bit of moisture on the outside. BUT, once the down is soaked, there is NO WAY you are going to dry it out in the field. So do not fall in a river with your bag!
The test now is to see if the down, after a washing, holds its loft as much as it did when original. Only time will tell. In another 5 years I may have to wash it again.
What I learned- a down bag is not that easy to get totally soaked. I now will worry less about a little bit of moisture on the outside. BUT, once the down is soaked, there is NO WAY you are going to dry it out in the field. So do not fall in a river with your bag!
The test now is to see if the down, after a washing, holds its loft as much as it did when original. Only time will tell. In another 5 years I may have to wash it again.