Tips for Proper Use of Sleeping Bags
A good night camping sleep starts with choosing the right camping gear especially your sleeping bag. Your role however does not end with purchasing a quality sleeping bag. For years of satisfying camping adventures, you must keep your sleeping bag in good condition through proper care and maintenance.
In order for you to have the ultimate insulation capacity in your sleeping bag, it is proper for you to let it expand an hour before you go to sleep. Your sleeping bag surely has moisture and unwanted smell stored on it during the camping trip. It is but proper for you to let it dry under the sun and help your bag smells fresh again.
The sleeping bag’s zipper system is a feature that each serious camper takes into consideration. It is because it has a great impact on the bag’s insulation. You should treat your zipper with extra care. If you happen to have a bag with zippers that meet at the middle, balance the workload of each one to avoid chances of it jumping off the track. Just in case you encounter rough spots or stuck zippers, the graphite of the pencil can serve as a lubricant when you rub it along the zipper’s teeth. The bottom line is that you should get a sleeping bag that offers a great zipper system like Marmot Helium Sleeping Bag.
Unless you went out for a month-long camping, it is not necessary for your sleeping bag to be washed after they were used. Nonetheless, you still have to make sure that you follow strictly the directions for washing. Make sure to use only mild soap in to wash sleeping bags made from down materials. Use only lukewarm water and as much as possible use bathtub or something that you can completely submerge the sleeping bag in water. Rinse thoroughly until all water and soap are completely removed. Let the sleeping bag dry in the sun. Make sure you shake it occasionally to help remove water faster.
Maximize your sleeping bags years of service by storing it properly. Always allow enough time for the sleeping bag to air before stuffing it in a breathable sack. As much as possible, store it loosely in a large stuff sack. Avoid compressing your sleeping bag as this will eventually damage the filling and thus losing its loft. It is better that you just hang it by the foot in your closet or simply laying it loose on a shelf. If you prefer to store in a sack, make sure it is completely dry.
Tags: Sleeping Bag Usage, Sleeping Bags, Sleeping Bags Care and Maintenance
December 18th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I never knew about maintaining your sleeping bag after your camping trip. I had no idea that you had to leave it outside to dry in the sun because of all the moisture. Not only that but I just assumed that it was best to wash it after every camping trip even if it was just for the weekend. Slight fading did occur to the color of my sleeping bag but now I know that its because I didn’t use the right soap and water temperature.