Summer is around the corner, which means it is camping season in Colorado! As many of our neighbors in Highlands Ranch and across Colorado know, there is nothing quite as magical as curling up in a sleeping bag and gazing up at the stars.

Unless that sleeping bag is black with dirt and grime, smells like a gym locker room, and is sticky with oil and sweat.

Cleaning and caring for your sleeping bag is critical to maintaining its freshness and performance. Whether you use a down sleeping bag or a synthetic sleeping bag, regular washes can even prolong the life of your sleeping bag. Here are a few things you can do for the best care of your sleeping bag:

While using your sleeping bag:

• Sleep in clean clothes to avoid dragging dirt and sweat into the bag. Oils and grime will transfer to the inside of your bag if you sleep in the same clothing you wore during the day. Not only solids like dirt and body oils, but even smells from campfires, cooked meals, and long hikes can permeate. To avoid fast accumulation of dirt, change into clean sleep wear before climbing in.
• Use a sleeping bag liner to keep the inside clean. These typically lightweight liners go inside the sleeping bag for an extra layer of protection and insulation. They help keep it clean, and can easily be washed separately after every use.
• Air out every day to keep it fresh. Turn the bag inside out to dry moisture and expose to fresh air. But don’t leave it in the sun for long – UV rays can harm certain fabric and materials used in sleeping bags.

Cleaning your sleeping bag:

• Spot clean the shell to pick up small stains early. Use water and a gentle detergent, if needed, to gently dab away the stain. If possible, pull the shell and liner away from the insulation (whether it is down or synthetic) to avoid getting water into the material and harming the interior.
• If you choose to wash at home, use gentle soap designed for down- and/or synthetic-filled material. This can have a higher price tag, but it is better than ruining the bag. Handwash in a bathtub using cool water. Let sit for 10-15 minutes then press to remove the excess water. Rinse several times to ensure soap is removed. For best results, leave it to the professionals.
• DO NOT DRY CLEAN. The harmful chemicals, like PERC, and solvents used in traditional dry cleaning can strip oils from the down that are natural and necessary to help it retain loft. Instead, bring your sleeping bags to green care cleaners! Our organic wet cleaning method uses none of the harmful solvents that threaten the material and insulation in your bag. With precisely controlled agitation, temperatures, and cleaning techniques, we can clean you sleeping bags so they last longer, feel fresher, and look just like new!

Storing your sleeping bag:

• Dry completely before storing. Air dry, whenever possible, for the best results. (Remember, the sun can harm the materials if left out too long, so use caution. If you must put in the dryer, use low- or no-heat settings and watch carefully. Always check the material of your sleeping bag first for special care requirements.
• Avoid compressing in a stuff sack for extended storage. While these are handy for short trips, backpacking, and setting up campsites, compression sacks can create deep wrinkle in your sleeping bag over time. More importantly, they can reduce loft of the down or synthetic insulation inside the bag, meaning it won’t be as fluffy of insulate as well on your next trip.
• Never store dirty. Like your clothing, sleeping bags collect body oils, sweat, dirt and dust with regular use. These materials can settle deeper into the fabric and material and cause tough stains, smells, and wear faster if stored without cleaning. To counter these invisible stain threats, have your sleeping bag thoroughly cleaned by the professionals at Green Care Cleaners before storing.

We hope you and your family are able to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful Colorado spring and summer seasons! On your next camping trip, follow these tips for the freshest, cleanest, and most comfortable sleeping bags and most enjoyable camping experience.

For tips on caring for your sleeping bag or to schedule a pick up or drop off for our cleaners, call us at 303-798-0515.