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Answer

By Anonymous

Great care is required when cleaning a down sleeping bag (or down jacket). The problem is that the baffles which hold the insulation in place can be torn apart under the weight of the water. But down stuff shouldn’t be dry cleaned.
The only way to wash your bag is by hand in a bath. Detergents should not be used; instead use mild soap flakes, Nikwax Loft Tech Wash or Grangers Extreme Cleaner Plus.

Hand-wash it gently by squeezing the soapy water through the bag. Then gently squeeze the soapy water out before running clean water through to rinse the soap away. You need to rinse like this at least three times without removing it from the bath. Once all the water has been squeezed out, remove the bag from the bath, making sure not to lift it out by one section or twist it as this too could tear the internal baffles. Dry it quickly in a tumble drier with a few tennis balls tossed in to help break down the clumps. Use liners to keep the inside clean, and only wash your bag once a year.

Down bags can be washed professionally by WE Franklin – tel. (0114) 268 6161.