Whether you’re a long-time camping enthusiast or heading to a sleepover for the first time, it’s always important to know the care, preparation, and storage maintenance that comes with owning a sleeping bag. A common misconception with sleeping bags is that to they don’t last a long time anyways, thus you don’t actually need to take good care of them.
This could not be more untrue.
High-quality sleeping bags are usually an investment piece that can cost quite a bit up front and, if well taken care of, can last you for decades! This why we’re so adamant about knowing the proper care and storage techniques for your sleeping bags!
Keep reading to find out how you can clean and store your sleeping bag and keep them looking new for years to come!
How to Prep Your Sleeping Bag for Storage
If you’ve followed these tips the last time you used your sleeping bag, you won’t need to do any additional preparation before storing your sleeping bag. But if you haven’t, be sure to follow these three preparation methods for getting your sleeping bag prepped for storage!
Cleaning
Cleaning your sleeping bag is so important, as mold, dust, lingering bugs, or dirt can grow or linger while it’s being stored.
Once you’ve brought your sleeping bag home, give it a good shake and once-over to find any dirt spots or moisture. For small stains, you can spot clean with warm water and a bit of laundry detergent. This should prevent any further issues.
If it’s very smelly or dirty, you’ll need to use a washing machine. Be sure to use the gentle cycle when washing a sleeping bag or it can lose its fluffiness.
Drying
Drying is a crucial preparation is a crucial step as any residual moisture remaining on your sleeping bag can (and most likely will) create mold when stored. After that, the sleeping bag is ruined.
To ensure that doesn’t happen, you need to dry your sleeping bag. If you choose to use the dryer, place the heat setting on the lowest temperature and use tennis balls or dryer balls to keep it fluffy.
If you choose to airdry your sleeping bag, make sure it’s a dry day and that it sits on a laundry line or clothes hanger for at least 24 hours.
Aerating
The final step in preparing your sleeping bag for storage is aeration. You need to shake and fluff up your sleeping bag to evenly distribute the insulation inside. This will help to prevent any loss of air during storage.
How to Correctly Store a Sleeping Bag
Now that you have a perfectly clean and dry sleeping bag, it’s time to store it. But how?
Whether you’re storing your sleeping bag in a home or a storage unit, here are the four best ways to store a sleeping bag!
Hooks
For home storage, we recommend storing your sleeping bag on a clothes hanger in a dry closet or storage room. This method brings lots of airflow to the sleeping bag and doesn’t compress the insulation or fabric.
If you’re storing your sleeping bags in a storage unit, use a temperature-controlled storage unit as heat can often exacerbate any excess moisture left behind and lead to mold. 60-75 degrees is the optimal temperature for storing a sleeping bag.
Shelf
If you don’t have the hanging space, utilize the empty space under your bed or a shelf in your closet. This is also a great way to prevent any additional compression from happening.
Breathable Sack
For those with small apartments or storage units, this option is ideal. Store your sleeping bag (very loosely) in a breathable sack – a king sized pillow case or a cotton bag works perfectly.
Plastic Bin
For most people, this option is the easiest and most convenient. Grab a plastic tub or bin and loosely store your sleeping bags in them. We recommend still putting them in a breathable sack, but this method also provides additional protection from moisture in the air, bugs, or your kids!
You can also store your plastic bin anywhere – attics, basements, or storage units!
Store Your Sleeping Bags with Fairfax City Storage Today!
Looking for the perfect place to store your sleeping bags? At Fairfax City Storage, we’ve got you covered! Our knowledgeable staff can help you find a storage unit for whatever items you’re looking for. Seasonal campers love using our storage units and you will too!
Contact us today for more information!