How To Store Sleeping Bags

Camping may be a word that brings to mind images of summer vacations or vast forests surrounded by snow mountains. But did you know that camping can also be extremely beneficial for your physical and mental health?

Not only does camping allow you to experience the great outdoors, but it can also expose you to vitamin D while promoting a peaceful and stimulating environment.

However, this does not mean that camping does not come with its various setbacks, as the pastime requires a lot of equipment that needs to be stored in your home when it is not in use.

One camping necessity that often proves tricky to put away is sleeping bags, which need a certain level of care to maintain their comfortable quality.

So if you want to know how you can store your sleeping bags, then you have come to the right place.

In the following article, we are going to teach you how to store your sleeping bags correctly, while also outlining the various methods you can use to maintain the bag’s overall quality.

So let’s take a look at how you can store your sleeping bags in the best way possible…

Overview

If you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to read the whole article, then we have summarized everything that you need to know about storing your sleeping bag in the section below:

We all know that camping can be a wonderful and exhilarating experience, especially if you love to immerse yourself in the great outdoors.

However, this does not mean that camping is an easy hobby to undertake, as the pastime requires a lot of equipment that can be difficult to maintain if you have not done the necessary research beforehand.

For this reason, it can be very difficult to store away all of your gear, especially when it comes to maintaining the quality of your sleeping bags.

So if you want to know how to store your sleeping bags correctly, then you can follow these simple instructions:

Extract the sleeping bag from its stuff sack to reduce compression.
Dry the sleeping bag thoroughly to remove any unwanted moisture or dampness from the material.
Store the sleeping bag loosely inside a breathable cotton or mesh sack.
Transfer the sleeping bag to a dry and cool area that is not exposed to direct sunlight or water.

These steps are critical when storing your sleeping bag and should always be remembered when you have returned from your most recent camping trip.

It is also important to remember that these basic rules also apply to any sleeping bag on the market, regardless of whether they contain synthetic or down insulation.

So if you want to know more about how you can maintain the quality of your sleeping bag, just take a look at the following sections…

How To Dry Sleeping Bags

Whenever you return from a camping trip, it is important to dry out your sleeping bags before storing them away, as packing away damp sleeping bags could result in the materials becoming mouldy and unusable.

So to ensure that your sleeping bag is free from moisture, we have outlined how to properly dry your sleeping bag in the following instructions:

To begin drying your sleeping bag, you will first need to unzip the bag until it is fully open, which means you should be able to lay it out flat on a hard table or surface.
When this has been completed, you will then need to hang up the bag on a line or hanger in a sheltered outdoor space. To ensure the best results, we recommend leaving the bag outside for 6-8 hours, while making sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or damp weather conditions.
To help aid the drying process, it is also possible to turn the sleeping bag inside out for the first 4 hours that it is outside. This is especially important if the sleeping bag’s outer shell is waterproof, as it will give the insulation a chance to dry.

However, if you do not have an outdoor space available, then you can instead dry your sleeping bag in your home by hanging it in a dry and temperature-controlled area.

If you are following this particular method, then you can also aid the drying process by placing a fan or dehumidifier in the same room.

It is also possible to put the sleeping bag in a home dryer, however, this is not usually needed unless you also intend to give your sleeping bag a wash. But if you do decide to use a dryer, then you can also speed up the process by adding some tennis balls into the dryer as well, as this helps to remove any fluff and ensure an even dryness.

Where Can You Store Sleeping Bags?

When your sleeping bag is dry, you will need to find the perfect place to store it until your next camping trip, something that is easier said than done.

So if you want to know where you can store your sleeping bag for the best results, then everything you need to know can be found in the following sections:

Place Your Sleeping Bag In A Breathable Sack

When storing away your sleeping bags, it is best to avoid compressing the bags into tight sacks or areas, as this could weaken the insulation and render it unusable.

So instead, we recommend placing the sleeping bags into sacks made from either a breathable cotton or mesh material.

Not only will this ensure that the sleeping bags have enough space to remain flexible, but it will also make the bags easier to store away when the time comes.

Place Your Sleeping Bag In A Humid Location

When it finally comes time to store away your sleeping bags, you will need to locate an area in your home that is dry, humid and free from dampness.

This means that you should never attempt to store your sleeping bags in an attic or basement, as these areas will typically be more susceptible to moisture and mildew.

For this reason, we recommend taking the more traditional route and storing the bags in a closet, as this will be a secure and dry location where you can ensure the bag’s upkeep.