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Hi all,

We're looking to buy a couple of nice thick sleeping bags and were advised to buy liners too to save having to keep washing the bags and wondered of they're necessary? I imagine getting a bit tangled up trying to turn over inside a liner plus a bag.

Thanks in advance

Esther

Found this

Most synthetic sleeping bags can be washed in a domestic machine.  I've had my sleeping bag for years & it has survived many washes with no ill effects.  Natural fillings like feather & down do not wash well so liners are a good idea for these type of bags, but most bags are synthetic nowadays.  I am in the YHA & they do insist on sleeping bag liners for hygene reasons, they tangle up in bed around the feet & I find them uncomfortable.  I'm not sure what the bed bugs think!

Hope this helps.

Steve.

Washing sleeping bags doesn't do them any good. Imagine if you were washing your actual duvet at home every week instead of just the cover?

Using a liner will prolong the life and warmth of your bags. The trick is to get a liner that's the right size and shape for you. No point in getting a small-sized mummy shaped liner when you were planning on stretching out in a generously sized, envelope shape bag!

Quote: Originally posted by Steve McV on 05/11/2008

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Most synthetic sleeping bags can be washed in a domestic machine.  I've had my sleeping bag for years & it has survived many washes with no ill effects.  Steve.

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Quote: Originally posted by rabbitboy on 08/11/2008

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I tried to wash my new one the other day, but it was too big for the machine and now I've got dried on washing powder on it!

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I wash ours in the bath. After two or three rinses, I pull the plug out and let the water drain a bit, then it's a matter of squeezing as much of the remaining water out & carrying it out to the line in a dustbin bag (so it doesn't drip all the way down the stairs).

If you can get pure soap flakes rather than normal washing powder, it's easier to rinse out, and it's much kinder to your sleeping bags.