Shelter, Sleeping Bags & Sleeping Mats

• Fill your bath with luke warm water mixing in either pure soap flakes or our favourite down cleaner
• Place your sleeping bag into the bath and gently press it down so it is submerged
• Agitate it a little and then go and get a cup of tea and some biscuits
• After an hour or so let the water drain from the bath and refill with fresh water. Gently massage the bag to remove the soap from the down, if you have a shower head this could work well
• Keep at it until all the soapy water is removed. Gently push down on the down bag to evacuate as much water as possible

IMPORTANT: Do not wring or squeeze the bag, this will damage the down.

• Try to remove all soap residues by flushing the machine through with an empty wash and clean out the soap dispenser
• Set the water temperature to 30C (warm) and fill the soap dispenser with the recommended quantity of Nikwax Down Wash (this will depend on the weight of the bag)
• After the wash cycle is complete, rinse the bag thoroughly

You can increase the effectiveness of your down in damp conditions by treating it with Nikwax Down Proof.

• Before removing your wet bag from the washing machine reload the dispenser with the recommended quantity of Down Proof
• Let your machine work its magic whilst you have some custard cream and a coffee OR if you are using the bath roll up your sleeves again and get hands on (and ask someone else to get you custard creams)

• Rinse until the water runs clean
• If you have tumble dryer we told you about earlier, set it to the lowest heat option (take care with launderettes as they seem to have one single setting that could melt glass)
• Throw in the clean tennis shoe or tennis balls with your bag. As the bag dries these will break up the down clumps. Large bags will require several hours of tumbling before they are dry
• We recommend tumble drying when using products such as Nikwax Down Proof as the heat helps cure the waterproofing to the fabric quicker

IMPORTANT: Take care when lifting your bag, it will be heavy. Avoid putting any stress on the bags seams.

If you have no dryer lay in a clean, dry, and shady area to dry.

Massage and separate the drying down until completely dry. Air drying a bag can take days! If your bag is left unattended the down will clump together and it will not be nice and fluffy.

IMPORTANT: Do not just throw your bag over the washing line and leave it to drip dry overnight. Better still, place in the dryer on a low heat.. oh did we say that already?

• Sleep in long underwear or using a cotton or silk sleeping bag liner to reduce the number of times you will have to wash your bag
• Store your down product in a clean, dry, and ventilated area
• Avoid hanging it over a rail
• Stuff it loosely inside its large grey cotton storage bag so that it retains its loft
• Do not store your sleeping bag in its compression stuff sack or when it is damp