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From: PJ Rattenbury <ratten_at_uow.edu.au>
subject: [Paddlewise] Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 10:22:25 +1000
	Hi PaddleWisers,  Has anyone advice on handwashing DOWN sleeping bags?  I
seem to remember someone posting something a while back.  Want to avoid
drycleaning if I can.   I envisage putting the bag into the bath with warm
water and some mild soap;   after carefully choosing the right  drying
weather,  ie  several days of sunshine! 
Peter Rattenbury, Oz


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From: <Gypsykayak_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2001 15:44:01 EDT
In a message dated 01-10-03 21:28:23 EDT, ratten_at_uow.edu.au writes:

<<  Has anyone advice on handwashing DOWN sleeping bags?  I
 seem to remember someone posting something a while back.  Want to avoid
 drycleaning if I can.  >>

I have written instructions somewhere.  They suggest you buy a special 
"detergent/soap" for down bags or, if unavailable, Woolite.  They recommend 
the washing machines at laundromats and to throw in a pair of sneakers 
(plimsolls) in the dryer to avoid clumping.

Sandy kramer who has a brand new pair of white sneakers waiting for the day 
she finally gets around to following the above instructions :)
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From: Peter Rathmann <prathman_at_home.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
Date: Thu, 04 Oct 2001 13:08:10 -0700
Gypsykayak_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 01-10-03 21:28:23 EDT, ratten_at_uow.edu.au writes:
> 
> <<  Has anyone advice on handwashing DOWN sleeping bags?  I
>  seem to remember someone posting something a while back.  Want to avoid
>  drycleaning if I can.  >>
> 
> I have written instructions somewhere.  They suggest you buy a special
> "detergent/soap" for down bags or, if unavailable, Woolite.  They recommend
> the washing machines at laundromats and to throw in a pair of sneakers
> (plimsolls) in the dryer to avoid clumping.

I wash mine in the bathtub with some 'down detergent.' After gentle
washing and rinsing, I press it with hand pressure several times to get
out as much water as possible and let it drain thoroughly each time. 
Drying is in my home dryer with several tennis balls.  It's 25 years old
now and still has about the same loft as I measured when new.

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From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_home.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Caring for Your Sleeping Bag
Date: Thu, 4 Oct 2001 16:31:18 -0400
From: <Gypsykayak_at_aol.com>


> I have written instructions somewhere.  They suggest you buy a special 
> "detergent/soap" for down bags or, if unavailable, Woolite.  They recommend 
> the washing machines at laundromats and to throw in a pair of sneakers 
> (plimsolls) in the dryer to avoid clumping.
> 

Folks are now recommending against using sneakers or tennis balls in the dryer.
It seems that they do more harm than good.  Just dry the sleeping bag by itself.
After all, if you're not supposed to use a top-loading washing machine because
the agitator can damage the sleeping bag, why bash it in the dryer?

You can use a front-load washing machine if you have one.  

Down soap should be available at outdoor gear shops.  Nikwax is one brand.

Mike 

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