Down
Facts and Performance Sleeping Bags
WET DOWN - HOW TO COPE
If your bag does become wet far from home everything
might not be lost. In most cases your bag only becomes damp, or
one specific area wets out. Here are some tips on how to dry the
bag.
The more heat in the bag the faster the down will dry.
Manipulate the wet down, breaking it up so it's no longer stuck
together. This down may have shifted in the baffle, so move it around
so that it covers a wide area. Doing this will get the down working
again with its efficiency increasing as it dries itself.
Place clothing on top of the bag to boost the wet down to speed
up the process and consider wearing nothing in the bag so your hot
skin can help to dry the inner.
Use the sun to dry the bag. A bag with a dark inner will absorb
a lot of heat even if it's cold and dry surprisingly quickly (put
it on some rocks, on the top of your tent or even off your pack
when on the move). Every five minutes shake the bag up to move the
dry and wet around. The inside of a tent can get very warm in the
sun so consider hanging the bag open in an erect tent all day.
Remember to try and air out the bag whenever possible.
The wind can also be a good ally in drying your bag as it helps
shake the down around and unclump.
If you get only a small area wet then use your stove to dry the
area, moving the down around as you do so (you'll see it steam).
Remember not to get it wet next time.
A couple of times a year take your bag down to the launderette and
stick it in a big tumble dryer on a medium setting (run it for a
few minutes first to check it won't melt the shell of the bag).
This will help revitalize the down and shake it up. Always store
your down bag in a large cotton or mesh bag (or big pillow slip)
in a dry place like under your bed. Every few years it's worth getting
your bag cleaned by a professional cleaner (contact the bag manufacturer
for their recommended cleaner). For long term use like a month-long
trip, use a Pertex, silk or cotton liner to save your bag from getting
too stinky. I don't recommend home washing as this can lead to disaster
as the delicate baffles of your bag can get damaged as they crash
around within your washing machine.
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Facts and Performance Sleeping Bags
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