cleaning down sleeping bags

Could you not just use a silk or cotton liner?. That way
you'll have the easily washable cloth against your skin and
won't feel afraid of 'soiling'
it.. Just a shame about the extra weight.

Dave

"Anthony Dyer" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Evening All,

Just returned this afternoon from my two week trip to
Narvik - photos on

my

Quoted message said:

website within the next few weeks. Paul saunders, your
camera would love

the

Quoted message said:

place - 10 hours of night time walking from 8pm till 6am
getting some fantastic midnight sun colours :-)

My question is one of cleaning down sleeping bags. My
sleeping bag has

had

Quoted message said:

to put up with two weeks of my smelly feet & smelly helly.
It's currently draped over my bedroom door getting some
air. It isn't visibly soiled except for a darkening of the
fabric around the hood, rather it just feels

a

Quoted message said:

bit manky next to the skin.

I've read various websites about cleaning down sleeping
bags and it sounds like a long, delicate (and potentially
damaging) process. I've previously just used a damp sponge
and some soap to clean it every so often. So, how often
should a down sleeping bag be given a full clean? Is soap
and a damp sponge normally sufficient to stop it feeling
manky? The bag in question

is

Quoted message said:

a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 and is now 2
years old.

Any advice appreciated.

Anthony Dyer www.mountain-walking.org.uk

I wouldn't bother cleaning it yourself. Far to time
consuming and you have the possibility of ruining your bag.

I've just had my Mountian Equipment Dewline bag cleaned by
WE Franklin in Sheffield. I use a liner but being 5 years
old it was in need of a clean!! I came back in excellent
condition.

Don't think they have a website but you can phone them on
W.E.Franklin (Sheffield) Ltd., +44 (0) 114 268 6161.

Price includes return postage.

If you fancy a challenege, and have a spare day there are
some instructions on the Rab site at
rab.uk.comcare.htmlOpen ↗

Cheers

Andy

"Anthony Dyer" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Evening All,

Just returned this afternoon from my two week trip to
Narvik - photos on

my

Quoted message said:

website within the next few weeks. Paul saunders, your
camera would love

the

Quoted message said:

place - 10 hours of night time walking from 8pm till 6am
getting some fantastic midnight sun colours :-)

My question is one of cleaning down sleeping bags. My
sleeping bag has

had

Quoted message said:

to put up with two weeks of my smelly feet & smelly helly.
It's currently draped over my bedroom door getting some
air. It isn't visibly soiled except for a darkening of the
fabric around the hood, rather it just feels

a

Quoted message said:

bit manky next to the skin.

I've read various websites about cleaning down sleeping
bags and it sounds like a long, delicate (and potentially
damaging) process. I've previously just used a damp sponge
and some soap to clean it every so often. So, how often
should a down sleeping bag be given a full clean? Is soap
and a damp sponge normally sufficient to stop it feeling
manky? The bag in question

is

Quoted message said:

a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 and is now 2
years old.

Any advice appreciated.

Anthony Dyer www.mountain-walking.org.uk

"Anthony Dyer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Evening All,

Just returned this afternoon from my two week trip to
Narvik - photos on

my

Quoted message said:

website within the next few weeks. Paul saunders, your
camera would love

the

Quoted message said:

place - 10 hours of night time walking from 8pm till 6am
getting some fantastic midnight sun colours :-)

My question is one of cleaning down sleeping bags. My
sleeping bag has

had

Quoted message said:

to put up with two weeks of my smelly feet & smelly helly.
It's currently draped over my bedroom door getting some
air. It isn't visibly soiled except for a darkening of the
fabric around the hood, rather it just feels

a

Quoted message said:

bit manky next to the skin.

I've read various websites about cleaning down sleeping
bags and it sounds like a long, delicate (and potentially
damaging) process. I've previously just used a damp sponge
and some soap to clean it every so often. So, how often
should a down sleeping bag be given a full clean? Is soap
and a damp sponge normally sufficient to stop it feeling
manky? The bag in question

is

Quoted message said:

a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 and is now 2
years old.

Any advice appreciated.

I'd read the manufacturers instructions for cleaning ! Easy
to clean by machine washing, time consuming only for drying.

--
Regards, Chris
--
Bird sightings based around 'Craven' Skipton, North
Yorks. craven-birds.co.ukcraven-birds.co.ukOpen ↗ Outgoing mail is
certified Virus Free. Checked by the Norton auto-updated
anti-virus system.

"Anthony Dyer" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Evening All,

Just returned this afternoon from my two week trip to
Narvik - photos on

my

Quoted message said:

website within the next few weeks. Paul saunders, your
camera would love

the

Quoted message said:

place - 10 hours of night time walking from 8pm till 6am
getting some fantastic midnight sun colours :-)

My question is one of cleaning down sleeping bags. My
sleeping bag has

had

Quoted message said:

to put up with two weeks of my smelly feet & smelly helly.
It's currently draped over my bedroom door getting some
air. It isn't visibly soiled except for a darkening of the
fabric around the hood, rather it just feels

a

Quoted message said:

bit manky next to the skin.

I've read various websites about cleaning down sleeping
bags and it sounds like a long, delicate (and potentially
damaging) process. I've previously just used a damp sponge
and some soap to clean it every so often. So, how often
should a down sleeping bag be given a full clean? Is soap
and a damp sponge normally sufficient to stop it feeling
manky? The bag in question

is

Quoted message said:

a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 and is now 2
years old.

Any advice appreciated.

mountain-equipment.co.ukdown care.htmOpen ↗
--
Regards, Chris
--
Bird sightings based around 'Craven' Skipton, North
Yorks. craven-birds.co.ukcraven-birds.co.ukOpen ↗ Outgoing mail is
certified Virus Free. Checked by the Norton auto-updated
anti-virus system.

I leave mine as long as possible (ie until even I notice the
smell!) and then just wash it in the washing machine on low
temperature with TX/Nikwax type cleaner. It's best to then
tumble dry, but I don't have a tumble drier, so it takes
ages to line dry and needs shaking every now and then while
drying to distribute the down.

As has been suggested, using a silk liner will keep it clean
for longer.

Whatever you do, don't take it to Sketchleys, that's what I
did with my first one, they just charged me a fortune and
ruined it.

Quoted message said:

I wouldn't bother cleaning it yourself. Far to time
consuming and you have the possibility of ruining
your bag.

I've just had my Mountian Equipment Dewline bag cleaned by
WE Franklin in Sheffield. I use a liner but being 5 years
old it was in need of a clean!!

I

Quoted message said:

came back in excellent condition.

Don't think they have a website but you can phone them on
W.E.Franklin (Sheffield) Ltd., +44 (0) 114 268 6161.

Price includes return postage.

I can confirm that WE Franklin offer a top notch service.
They sorted out my filthy/rancid Rab bag for me, it was like
getting a new bag (So much warmer too)

cheers, simon

On 26/6/04 8:26 pm, in article [email hidden], "Andy

Quoted message said:

If you fancy a challenege, and have a spare day there are
some instructions on the Rab site at
rab.uk.comcare.htmlOpen ↗

Rab will also clean your down bag for you.

Mind you, I use Nikwax down wash and - although you need to
take an hour - it is a reasonably straightforward process

--
Andy Howell Birmingham, UK

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I wouldn't bother cleaning it yourself. Far to time
consuming and you have the possibility of ruining
your bag.

I've just had my Mountian Equipment Dewline bag cleaned by
WE Franklin in Sheffield. I use a liner but being 5 years
old it was in need of a clean!!

I

Quoted message said:

came back in excellent condition.

Don't think they have a website but you can phone them on
W.E.Franklin (Sheffield) Ltd., +44 (0) 114 268 6161.

Price includes return postage.

How much did they charge you?

Nick

In article <[email hidden]>,

Dave Moore said:

Could you not just use a silk or cotton liner?. That way
you'll have the easily washable cloth against your skin
and won't feel afraid of 'soiling'
it.. Just a shame about the extra weight.

Quoted message said:

"Anthony Dyer" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I've read various websites about cleaning down sleeping
bags and it sounds like a long, delicate (and
potentially damaging) process. I've previously just used
a damp sponge and some soap to clean it every so often.
So, how often should a down sleeping bag be given a full
clean? Is soap and a damp sponge normally sufficient to
stop it feeling manky? The bag in question

is

Quoted message said:

a Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 300 and is now 2
years old.

Any advice appreciated.

Anthony Dyer www.mountain-walking.org.uk

I once washed my down bag - with great trepidation - as
instructed by Nikwax or somebody. Never again. It took
ages and quite honestly it was never the same again!! I
thought sod it; gave it to my brother for warm country
backpacking, and bought a synthetic bag which I don't get
nearly so paranoid about re. dirt, water and cleaning. I
miss the smaller pack size and breathability of down
though. You can't win

Have it done professionally - if you don't mind the cost.

As for liners, you need to bare in mind that you might find
there are a few bad points with them e.g. extra weight and
getting twisted in your bag.

David

Andy Howell said:

On 26/6/04 8:26 pm, in article
[email hidden], "Andy

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you fancy a challenege, and have a spare day there are
some instructions on the Rab site at
rab.uk.comcare.htmlOpen ↗

Rab will also clean your down bag for you.

Mind you, I use Nikwax down wash and - although you need to
take an hour - it is a reasonably straightforward process

But drying it isn't!

personal.dundee.ac.ukdowncare.htmOpen ↗
eaningDown
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"
95/284 5/219 c.100/300 (>900m with drop>100m )

Quoted message said:

How much did they charge you?

Something like £20 - 25 including return by special
delivery.

Cheers

Andy

Forester said:

As for liners, you need to bare in mind that you might
find there are a few bad points with them e.g. extra
weight and getting twisted in your bag.

Extra weight will depend on what it's made of. Rab's posh
silk ones weigh basically zip, but OTOH they aren't cheap. I
was somewhat wary of liners having always failed to get on
with YHA sheeties in the past, but I've never found my silk
or pertex liners have been a problem for twisting up inside.

I use a Pertex one when I'm pretty grubby (sea kayaking
trips, with a couple of days crust of salt, sweat and
suncream) as they launder more easily, a very light silk one
where weight is an issue and a heavier (and thus tougher)
silk one when it isn't.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"Phil Cook" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Andy Howell said:

On 26/6/04 8:26 pm, in article
[email hidden], "Andy

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you fancy a challenege, and have a spare day there
are some

instructions

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

on the Rab site at
rab.uk.comcare.htmlOpen ↗

Rab will also clean your down bag for you.

Mind you, I use Nikwax down wash and - although you need
to take an

hour -

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it is a reasonably straightforward process

But drying it isn't!

personal.dundee.ac.ukdowncare.htmOpen ↗
leaningDown
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster
Gasworks"
95/284 5/219 c.100/300 (>900m with drop>100m )

Drain, tumble dryer with trainer thrown in worked ok for me.

Mike

On 27/6/04 11:53 am, in article [email hidden],

Phil Cook said:

But drying it isn't!

Yep - but there are other things you can do while it
is drying.

I always wonder about down bags though. I have an old (15
years old) alpine down bag which my son uses regularly. This
is so old now I just through it in the washing machine and -
guess what - it seems to be OK!

--
Andy Howell Birmingham, UK

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How much did they charge you?

Something like £20 - 25 including return by special
delivery.

Cheers

Andy

Thanks for that! I might look at their services after all.

Nick

Mike Mason said:

Drain, tumble dryer with trainer thrown in worked ok for
me.

Watch the colour of the trainer. There was a story awhile
back on aus.bushwalking of the colour in a trainer running
or something and marking the bag.

Andrew

Andy Howell said:

Yep - but there are other things you can do while it
is drying.

But the best way is to take it out every few minutes and
break up clumps of down, so it's a stop-start process that
also benefits from a /large/ drier to prevent excessive
heat build up.

Quoted message said:

I always wonder about down bags though. I have an old (15
years old) alpine down bag which my son uses regularly.
This is so old now I just through it in the washing
machine and - guess what - it seems to be OK!

Well, define "OK"... It might be just as good as jumping
through all the hoops but then again it might not be and
without a control bag done the other way you'll never know
if "OK" is actually as good as it /could/ be.

My bag is worth a fair bit and I want to maximise it's
possible performance. If I pay a bit over the odds, then hey
ho, I do. I'd sooner risk that than a bloody miserable night
freezing solid!

I use a liner to keep mine reasonably clean in use. I had it
cleaned for the first time just before Easter, and it's 4-5
years old. This seems to be about my usual interval for
having them cleaned, and I send them to Franklins to do it
because I know they do a first class job and my spare time
is worth more than the money I pay them.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Nick Pedley wrote: [Franklins]

Quoted message said:

Thanks for that! I might look at their services after all.

I'm a happy user, but perhaps more to the point I've yet to
hear a bad word said about them, and that in spite of them
not charging a trivial amount and many of the people I know
who use them having done it themselves at some point with
what they felt were satisfactory results.

Rab know as much about down as anyone, and if they're good
enough for them, they're good enough for me. And it looks
like ME are recommending them now as well.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111
ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382
640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net
[email hidden] dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Nick Pedley said:

Quoted message said:

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How much did they charge you?

Something like £20 - 25 including return by special
delivery.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for that! I might look at their services after all.

Mountain Designs quote £35 per item at mountaineering-mountaineering-Open ↗
designs.co.uk/refurb.htm

I've seen references to Franklin's charging £30 elsewhere.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the
"Westminster Gasworks"
95/284 5/219 c.100/300 (>900m with drop>100m )