Down soap is a must have.
Non detergent laundry soap for sleeping bags.
If your dryer isn t working reliably on low heat go visit a neighbor.
So your first step must be to purchase a laundry soap specifically made for down feathers i e.
The clothes are getting nicely clean and with just a tiny scoop.
Sometimes all your bag needs is a little tlc not a full blown bath.
There is no scent left on the clothes.
Dryer with low heat setting.
Make a paste of a little non detergent soap and water and use a toothbrush to gently clean the shell.
Use whatever is most delicate for your machine.
These are special non detergent soaps that won t strip the oil from the down in your sleeping bag.
Zip all zippers and close all velcro attachments.
One that won t ruin them.
Due to the way down sleeping bags are manufactured they re more sensitive to water and can actually sustain damage making it unusable if it gets too wet.
You might do a second rinse cycle as well.
Mild non detergent means something along the lines of woolite.
Do not use harsh laundry detergents.
I ve washed everything from brand new delicates in cold to heavy duty loads in hot.
You ll also want to gather some old cotton bath towels and a few tennis balls.
This laundry soap works.
Cold water most delicate cycle of the machine i e my machine has a handwash cycle delicate normal and heavy duty.
I thought dreft soap flakes would work but the box said detergent when i find it i ll wash in warm water in the bathtub taking the bag into pieces as much as i can.
Next choose a detergent for cleaning.
If your sleeping bag is really dirty pre soak by filling a handwashing sink with lukewarm water and adding a small amount of mild laundry soap.
But any mild soap like ivory snow or woolite works fine if you rinse completely.
Down can never be dried at a high temperature.
Dish soap is not mild non detergent.
For the majority of synthetic sleeping bags the recommended steps for how to wash at the laundromat are as follows.
Drying must be done low and slow.
Specialty soaps designed for cleaning down or synthetic sleeping bags are highly recommended.
Before you do anything buy yourself a product made especially for washing down such as nikwax down wash.
Because washing a sleeping bag subjects it to wear and tear and decreases the loft spot cleaning is your first line of defense.
The laundry aisle wasn t helpful.
Plus front load washers have a higher capacity and will accommodate large items like comforters sleeping bags and pillows.