Sleeping Bag Care Instructions
Storage and stuff sacs
Your sleeping bag is delivered in a stuff sacs as this is the easiest way to transport it but it should not be stored in its stuff sac. Storing in a stuff sac compresses and may damage the fill material. Hang the bag in your wardrobe over a large hanger, in a mesh storage bag or flat under your bed.
Do not roll or fold your sleeping bag to get it into its stuff sac. Stuff it in with your fist, pushing down to the bottom of the sac. This allows the fill to settle in pockets rather than being squashed flat. Care needs to be taken not to apply excessive force to the compression straps.
Excessive compression may result in the small feather content of the fill material being forced through the shell of the sleeping bag. Fill leakage from this practice will never be sufficient to affect the performance of the bag, it is more a nuisance or cosmetic problem, however, storage in a highly compressed state for long periods will permanently damage the fill material resulting in inferior performance.
Using your sleeping bag
When you go to use your sleeping bag, take a little time to spread the fill material evenly across the panels, especially during prolonged use, to prevent cold spots from forming. Always keep your bag as dry as conditions will allow.
Moisture radically affects the lofting power of natural fill material and therefore the warmth of your bag. When bushwalking, store your bag in its stuff sac inside your pack if possible. Moisture will not age or damage your bag but it will temporarily affect its performance.
Cleaning your sleeping bag
Washing a natural fill material sleeping bag can be a daunting process. However, your bag will perform better and for longer if it is kept clean.
Using a professional – This is the easiest way to get your bag clean. Send it to a professional who specialises in cleaning down.
Wash by hand - Put sufficient warm water into a bath to cover the sleeping bag and add a non-detergent soap (there are ones recommended for down/natural fill products).
Be very gentle with your bag when it is laden with water and do not lift it clear of the water.
Gently massage the bag by pressing down with your open hands until the fill material is saturated.
Leave to soak for 1 – 4 hours, depending upon how dirty the bag is, drain the water from the tub, add fresh warm water and repeat the gentle massage.
Continue draining and adding fresh warm water until all the suds have been rinsed clear.
Drain the water and without moving the bag, press water out of the fill material until all the water has gone and the bag is merely damp.
Fold the damp bag into a bundle so you can manage by yourself, without letting it sag.
Lie the bag in a clean shady spot and open it out.
Regularly massage and separate the drying fill material until an even loft is achieved.
In cold, wet or humid weather to aid the drying process the bag may be placed in a small room with a heat source, remembering to separate the fill material regularly.
A natural fill material sleeping bag will take several days to dry completely so it is important there is good airflow around the bag and it is moved regularly to assist the drying process.
Zippers
The manufacturer of our zips, YKK, intentionally makes the zip slider from a soft alloy. This is so the slider (which is relatively easy to replace) wears out before the zip teeth (which are very difficult to replace)
So, when zips are used extensively and in dusty or dirty environments, the inner parts of the slider are worn away to a point where they cannot bring the teeth of the zip together effectively. To get the worn sliders working until they can be replaced you can use a pair of pliers to gently squeeze the sides of the slider together, do not use too much force as you may jam the slider. This should allow the slider to bring the zip teeth together. Always try to keep the zip teeth as clean as possible.
Thanks to One Planet for this technical information page. Click here to visit their site!