Choose your child-sleeping-bag

Looking after your adult or child-sleeping-bag

So you invested in a quality sleeping bag that is to see good service for 10 years. What is important is to look after it and here are some very useful hints, Choose your child-sleeping-bag

1. Try and sleep within a sleeping sheet or separate liner. This will help absorb perspiration and moisture and reduce the need to wash or launder the bag. You should avoid washing the bag as much as possible.

Liners are very comfortable and are made from cool cotton, smooth silk and polypro. They also add a few degrees to the bag’s warmth rating. On those warmer nights you really will appreciate the value of the liner when it absorbs the moisture. Look after your child-sleeping-bag

2. It is always better to compress the sleeping bag when carrying it, otherwise always leave it so that the fill is in it’s expanded condition. Down in particular does not like permanent compression and will rapidly deteriorate.

3. When hiking or carrying the bag, always keep it within a waterproof and abrasion proof bag. Many choose to further place it inside a PVC trash bag to ensure it stays dry, particularly useful when the weather breaks. Dampness means more weight dry is always lighter.

4. There comes a time when your bag has absorbed moisture, dirt and body oils, and as a result it loses some of it’s loft, breathing ability and insulation properties. Hand wash then with great care and attention and allow them to dry naturally. Whatever you do, don’t put them in a tumble dryer.

5. When washing resist the temptation to use a washing machine, even though it has a delicate wash setting. You should use soft soap flakes or better still get some down cleaner. Use warm water only at hand hot only.

You need to knead the bag well to wash it properly and then follow up with several good clean water rinses. The ideal way to dry it is by placing over clothes racks in a warm shaded location. You may have to move it or relay it to ensure that excess weight from water is not distorting the bag.

Make sure that the bag is completely dry before storing so you don’t get mould and mildew. If you air it in the sun keep the time duration relatively short. Choose your child-sleeping-bag