If your Sleeping Bag is filled with down, you definitely cannot use a dry-cleaning method as the dry-cleaning chemicals can strip the oils from the down and prevent it from lofting properly. If the natural oils are stripped and the bag is wet, this can result in the down clumping, as the stripping of the oils will leave the down wet. It is important to keep in mind that conventional laundry detergents will also strip oils from down.
At UNiQ Services, we understand the importance of using the correct cleaning products for the materials and fibres we are cleaning, meaning we use products that are specifically for cleaning Down safely and that also maintains the hydrophobic performance of treated down.
Correct cleaning is also important to maintain the temperature rating of the sleeping bag. If the oils are stripped and the down is compromised, your temperature rating will no longer be accurate. This can be particularly dangerous if traveling to an environment with very low temperatures thinking your sleeping bag will keep you warm enough.
When it comes to synthetic bags, we use a non-detergent product, as conventional laundry detergent contains brighteners and fillers that may stick to the polyester fibres, reducing the loft and potentially causing clumping.
I don't know about you, but going to sleep in a clumpy sleeping bag does not sound enjoyable.
