Stinky/Smelly Down Sleeping Bag

“Okay, My sleeping bag stinks. I haven't washed it since I bought it a few months ago. It is awful.

I have 2 bags.

Kelty lightyear 25 degree- down filled

rei mummy bag liner- synthetic

HOW do I wash these? Dry Cleaners?
And how much does the dry cleaners normally charge?

i can come up with the threads can't i?”

“I hand washed mine in an extra big cooler w/ fancy sleeping bag soap. But, I think you can wash them in a machine on the delicate cycle (always cold water). Lay them out to dry. Then pop 'em in a dryer on NO heat to fluff 'em back up.”

“If you wash it in a machine make sure it’s a big front-loading machine not a top loading one.”

“Dry cleaned my down bag after years of hand washing. Just could not get it clean enough with hand washing. I've heard a lot of bad thoughts on dry cleaning, but I'm here to tell ya, it never looked better. I think the loft is even better than it was before. Cost me about $12, I think.”

“Use a front-loading machine at the laundramat. I know, I know, I hate laundramats too. But those kind of washers are gentlest on your gear. I use them when I need to wash a tent also. Nikwax makes a down-wash that's supposed to help maintain loft. Drying them with a clean tennis shoe will help with the loft and help them dry faster also.”

“Down bags come with cleaning instructions. Read it!

Many feather/down items should NEVER be washed in water-it destroys the loft. Dry-cleaning is best.”

“What the tarn-nation is a tennis shoe?”

“You know; a sneaker, tenny...

tennis shoe

n : a canvas shoe with a pliable rubber sole [syn: gym shoe, sneaker]


Source: WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University


Thank you Dictionary.com

I usually toss a pair in with the bags/tent being washed. The shoes get clean and they do double duty.”

“A few months old and it stinks already. Is that why they're called fart sacks?”

“if you dry clean it make sure you air it out really good before using it again”

“Yep: front-loader & Down Wash, then into a Big dryer on low heat with a tennis shoe (or one of your garden variety brothel-creepers).

The last time, the bag was pretty dry when I took it out of the washer. I took it home to dry and it lofted up so much it Filled up the dryer.

The whole process was lots quicker than I expected.”

“btw BBinkley... if you laid off the brats and beer in the back country your sleeping bag wouldn't stink soo much”

“maybe there's a turd in your pack that made the bac smell bad.....















it could happen....”

“Only 3 people have eluded to the cause, you #&%!$ing stink!!!! Take a shower, and don't #&%!$ your self in the woods. Its cool to blow the longest and loudest fart, but to crap you pants is just wrong.”

“They're not making Scouts like they used to.”

“My sleeping bag stinks. I haven't washed it since I bought it a few months ago. It is awful.


Only a few months old and it now stinks...that IS aweful!”

“Instead of sneakers, you could toss a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with your bag - they are supposed to be easier on the down. Also be careful handling the bag when its wet and heavy so you don't pull out any of the baffle stitching.”

“Wow Vio-man. Your bag has balls. Interesting.”

“They're yellow and fuzzy!”

“LMAO skully and violin!”

“I still make scouts like they used to.”

“LMAO HPM!”

“and next time turn it inside out and allow it to dry/air out completely before you put it away”

“Good deal, HPM. I think they need your services in New Jersey! LOL


Hey, I just looked over my shoulder and what did I spy, but an unopened can of early 80s Wilson Optic Yellow Doodads: 'The Only Balls Selected For Use At All USTA National Champioships'.”

“Maybe HPM can make a road trip up north and re-train these yankee scouts.

I took my down bag (Marmot Lithium 0 degree) to the laundramat the other week. I used Nikwax down wash in a big front loader, then gently put it in a big dryer on low heat. It might take a few hours, and I also stuck in 2 tennis balls. Worked great for me.

But how the heck did you get it to stink up in that short a time? I remember reading a thread some time ago about your problem with crapping in the woods. You didn't..... no, you couldn't have... you didn't, did you??”

“gosh, you know how to butcher someone in such a short time.

No, I didn't crap my bag.. I have went on a lot of hikes though in the past few months.”

“well lighten up on the chilli binky!”

“I think it's just from being sweaty and dirty for several days at a time and then getting into my sleeping bag.”

“well if you were that dirty and stinky how could you tell if it was your bag? 8}”

“Well, BigGulp, if you'd learn to poop in the woods, maybe your bag would stay fresher longer...”

“Ice Tea just gets funnier and funnier every day!”

“I think you're all missing the REAL issue. What is binks doing with a LIGHT year bag?”

“From REI.com


Care
Hang on to the care instructions that come with your sleeping bag. Different bags will have different care and cleaning requirements. Usually, sleeping bags can be washed by hand with mild detergents. If you insist on washing it by machine, visit a laundromat and use a front-load washer only. Set a front-loading dryer on low heat to dry it. REI offers a bag-laundering service. Call our Seattle store, (888) 873-1938, or Denver Store, (303)756-3100, and ask for Repair Services.”

“gosh, you know how to butcher someone in such a short time.

It's the Christmas Spirit that moves us. But hey, you got some good tips AND entertainment. What more could you ask for?”

“In the future, you could try using a bag liner. Then you just toss it in the washer when you get home. Or you could just wash up a little before you climb in. I know, that suggestion has been implied previously.”

“I haven't EVER washed my down bag. I've had it about 10 yrs!

I do air it out after every trip though. This means, as soon as you get to the car you take it out of the stuff sack and lay it out in the back of the car. Then, when you get home, you store it layed out in a dry spare bedroom. It doesn't stink too bad.”

“

"The better stain getter"?”

“Biz thinks her #&%!$ doesn't stink.


Hey - that section on "BIOLOGICAL STAINS" may be just what bbbbinkley needs.”

“PS My #&%!$ don't stink neither!

Either that or my nose doesn't work... I didn't wash my down bag until it was like 4 years old --- and that was mainly to re-loft it.”

“doesnt a broken nose qualify you for the injured reserve list? :}”

“The exterior is okay (I guess), but I was beginning to wonder if it was 'wired up' correctly, <G>”

“well if we ever meet just feed me some chilli and let the testing begin :P”

“Mine have never smelled bad (bags that is), but bbinkely has been getting some serious bag nights.

Might try wearing some long johns to sleep in. Body oil will go rancid just like cooking oil or butter and smell really, really bad.”