We usually plan the necessities that we prioritize for camping. We organize and pack them accordingly for optimal safety. But what happens to this gear after the camping? Do you still follow the steps of cleaning and storing as you did before? It is your responsibility to keep the camping gear safe to avoid damage. Also, most of them can be expensive and made of good quality. The sleeping bag is one of the gear that make you comfortable at the campsite. So, how do you store it at home? Want to know some sleeping bag storage hacks?
- Remove the bag from its stuff sack
- Clean or wash thoroughly before storing
- Completely dry the sleeping bag
- Fluff it up before storing
- Store the bag in a breathable sack
- Find a suitable spot for storing
- Do not place anything heavy on the bag
- Prevent bugs while storage
Above these sleeping bag storage hacks, there are some hacks and ideas that you should follow before storing. So, through this article, you can easily maintain the storing process of the sleeping bag without any obstacles.
Remove the bag from its stuff sack
When you buy a sleeping bag, it will come with two sacks. One is known as a stuff sack and the other is known as a storage sack. The stuff sack is made with durable material and it is compact. This is only used for travel or backpacking purposes.
When camping, people often use a stuff sack to store the sleeping bag to make more space inside the tent. As it is more compact than the other bags, it causes damage when you store the sleeping bag in it. It damages the down feathers of the bag and reduces the insulation system of the sleeping bag.
The insulation is the only feature that makes you warm during your sleep. When you compress a sleeping it will fully damage the loft and damage the structure of the insulation. No matter whether it is a down or synthetic sleeping bag, you have to avoid storing it in the stuff sack.
The long-term compression will damage the down feathers of the down bags and it becomes hard to return to its original structure after you take it out from the sack. Though synthetic bags are better than down bags, it is too get damaged when you store your sleeping bag in the stuff sack.
So, if you leave the bags compressed for a long time, they will lose their ability of insulation and lofting.
Clean or wash thoroughly before storing
Cleaning your sleeping bag before storing is an important task that you have to follow. There are several methods and ways to clean and wash your sleeping bag.
If you notice any dirt spots on your sleeping bag, you can spot clean it. First, you can rub them by using water and a bit of laundry detergent. Then, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub it. At last, you can rinse away the soap. Follow this method when you notice any spot of dirt on the sleeping bag. However, remember to let your sleeping bag air dry once you did spot cleaning.
Also, whether you wash your sleeping bag or not, you must hang your bag up for 24 hours to air after your camping trip. When you camp your sleeping bag could be wet due to dew, or water dripping. So, it is better to let it dry to air for about 24 hours.
If your sleeping bag is super dirty and smells bad, you can wash your sleeping bag completely. You can wash it either by washing machine or by hand. You can choose the most convenient way for you. But, do not wash the bag after every trip because it will cause damage to the loft of your bag. Also, never dry clean a sleeping bag because chemicals will ruin the whole bag.
When you are washing the sleeping by washing machine, it is better to use a front-loading washing machine without an agitator. Wash it on the gentle cycle and rinse until the soap washes away.
When you wash your sleeping bag by hand, you should soak it for 2 or 3 hours in water and then rub it with a bar of detergent soap. At last, you can wash it several times with lukewarm water to rinse it completely.
Completely dry the sleeping bag
Storing your sleeping bag when it is wet is a bad idea. You have to dry it completely before storing it. After you wash your sleeping bag with the washing machine, you have to start the drying process. You can either use a dryer or can put it in the air for drying.
Using a drying machine is necessary for the sleeping bags which are completely dry. When you grab the wet sleeping bag out of the washing machine, you should grab it from the bottom not from above. As sleeping bags are easier to tear and damage when they are heavy. Also, you can throw 1 or 2 tennis balls into the dryer with your sleeping bag to fluff it up again.
However, make sure your sleeping bag is completely dry before storing. If there are any wet spots, you can hang them until they dry completely. Also remember, whether it is wet or not, try to air it out for 24 hours after the trip.
Fluff it up before storing
When we sleep on the sleeping bag, our weight will compress the feathers or the synthetic fibers. The same thing will happen when you take the sleeping bag in your backpack. These things will cause for uneven distribution of insulation. So, after using it and before storing it fluff the feathers up by giving a little shake. Also, you can knead or massage the sleeping bag until it turns into an actual position.
Store the bag in a breathable sack
As mentioned before, sleeping bags come with two sacks. One is the stuff bag and the other is the storage sack. Compression or the stuff sack can damage the insulation of the sleeping bag. It will lose its loft and affect the warmth of the sleeping bag. You have to use stuff sack only during your traveling purposes. So, after finishing drying you can store your sleeping bag in a large breathable sack. These storage sacks are made of mesh, cotton, and breathable material. By using these sacks you can store your sleeping bag for the long term.
Find a suitable spot for storing
You should give priority to storage as this is one of the most significant sleeping bag storage hacks. There are several methods of storing your sleeping bag in your house.
Storing it on a closet shelf
Sleeping bags are the most valuable gear that you need to protect for a long time. So, you can place it on your closet shelf that is most safe to keep anything else. Though it takes a lot of space in your closet, if you determine to protect it more for long-term use, you should treat it gently.
Hang it in your closet
This is the most ideal way to store a sleeping bag because it will not compress. Also, it gets a lot of air and flow. You can hang it on a clothes hanger in the closet. Most of the sleeping bags come with a loop that might help to hang in the closet.
Store under the bed
This method too will not compress the sleeping bag. You can lay it flat under your bed. But, do not place anything on top of it. However, make sure to clean the underneath of your bed before storing your sleeping bag. Because usually, the underneath of the bed is full of dusty.
You can follow any of these methods to store your sleeping bag.
Do not place anything heavy on the bag
You better do not place anything heavy on the bag because it might damage the down feathers and the synthetic fibers of the sleeping bag. As you have to use it for a longer time, you have to be more cautious when you store your sleeping bag in your house. When you place anything heavy on it the sleeping bag will be compressed and it will harm the loft. Also, you can not have the actual shape of the sleeping bag. Moreover, you will no longer enjoy the warmth of the sleeping bag that you got before.
Prevent bugs while storage
Bugs are the most troublesome insects. Bed bugs, roaches, spiders, ticks, and mites will make their home in places like fibers and fabrics. This will ruin your entire trip. So, how do you prevent bugs while in storage? Thanks to new technology, some experts have found several pretty innovative methods to prevent these bugs.
Here are some tested methods for keeping these bugs away.
- You can spray pesticide or use insect tapes inside and around your tent.
- You can also create some natural spray if you dislike using chemicals. You can use natural bug repellents like cinnamon, lavender, peppermint, clove, eucalyptus, or tea tree. By adding one of these repellents with 2 cups of water, you can make a natural spray. This is safe to use during your trip.
- Try to use a sleeping bag liner with an insect shield.
- Purchase sleepwear, clothing, or linens in the market.
These sleeping bag storage hacks and ideas will make your sleeping bag more protective after storing. Make sure to follow these hacks accordingly if you want to use your sleeping for a long time.
How to keep your sleeping bag for long-term use?
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions always
- Use a few tennis balls to avoid flatting
- Shake your bag before using it
- Put some cotton balls to maintain their freshness
- Only wash sleeping bag when it is dirty
- Do not set your dryer on high heat
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