Caring for your sleeping bag

Sleeping bags are expensive, so you'll want yours to last. Here are a few tips to get the most out of a sleeping bag.

• Buy a silk or cotton liner to prevent your sleeping bag from getting dirty as quickly. These have several advantages: when it's hot, the liner means you don't stick to your bag. It also means you can just wash the liner rather than the bag after a trip.
  
  
• Avoid getting your bag wet. Before laying it out, make sure the ground is dry. Try putting your pack liner and other plastic bags under anything your sleeping bag might touch.
  
  
• Store your down sleeping bag so it's not stuffed into its storage bag for long periods. If the feathers are highly compressed for too long, they won't expand, reducing the warmth factor and leaving cold spots.
  
  
• Down sleeping bags can be hand washed in lukewarm water and mild soap. Make sure you thoroughly rinse - the bag will absorb soap if you don't. If in doubt, ask the person selling you the sleeping bag for advice. You can also buy specialised cleaning products.
  
  

Expert tip
Chris Tews from the Mountain Safety Council, recommends drying your down bag in a well-ventilated area: "Initially lay it flat on the floor. Once partially dry it can be hung outside. Warm, windy days provide the best drying conditions."

Chris doesn't recommend using a home dryer - but if you do use one, "place a tennis ball in the dryer with the bag to prevent clumping".

More information

• Mountain Safety Council: www.mountainsafety.org.nz
• Department of Conservation: www.doc.govt.nz

More from consumer.org.nz

• Emergency beacons
• Tents
• Tramping and camping stoves
• Tramping packs

Report by Tristan Clark