Bushwalking gear and paraphernalia. Electronic gadget topics (inc. GPS, PLB, chargers) belong in the 'Techno Babble' sub-forum.

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TIP: The online Bushwalk Inventory System can help bushwalkers with a variety of bushwalk planning tasks, including: Manage which items they take bushwalking so that they do not forget anything they might need, plan meals for their walks, and automatically compile food/fuel shopping lists (lists of consumables) required to make and cook the meals for each walk. It is particularly useful for planning for groups who share food or other items, but is also useful for individual walkers.
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Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 5:20 pm

Hello I came home recently to find my down sleeping bag had been used during a house move to cover furniture and during the move was dropped on the ground and left outside in the weather for about a month. I am just wondering before I lose my mind and go rampaging around the house is my sleeping bag completely lost or can I bring it back. At the moment there is surface mould and a strong smell from the bag

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 5:30 pm

wash it, and put it in a commercial drier with tennis balls.. then you'll have an idea

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 6:28 pm

I think your bag is cactus daggz. Mould and smell can be hard to completely remove and if it's on the surface what's inside..
I'd agree with trying, maybe with some ingredient for the mould eg bleach/vinegar. Don't let the shell get too hot in a dryer, they can melt. Some days in the sun would be ideal.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 7:08 pm

that hurts. Its worth trying the clean, long and gentle. and long low dryer like wayno said.
There is a chance that the mold is only in the cover. might be a small chance, I don't know how moldy feathers can get.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 7:49 pm

What a wonderful opportunity to buy a new sleeping bag.
Whilst the guilt is there, hurry up and don't spare the horses and you'll be able to get a flash one with no complaints after your pride n joy was wrecked.
Any whinging and offer the smelly one to the complainer as their birthday gift.
I wouldn't bother trying to sort one that had been outside for that long and I'd be getting plenty of mileage out of the person who wrecked your old one.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 9:01 pm

Insurance claim and a new bag but wash and tumble dry it, you may be pleasantly surprised

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Thu 30 Apr, 2015 9:02 pm

Make sure you use a down specific detergent!

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Fri 01 May, 2015 5:12 am

The walking club that I've been a member with for a while rents out down sleeping bags.
At one point a couple of bags were hired, used at the beach, and got soaked in water and sand. The club got them back after they had been compressed and stewing for a month.

They were down-washed dried and are now back in usage as one of the better club bags.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Fri 01 May, 2015 8:14 am

I'd agree, a specific down wash is a good base. We use Nikwax (down wash or tech wash both interchangeable). You can also use natural soap/ grated bar soap but will need warm water to keep in suspension. We used a borax/ bar soap combination back last century :) though i'm not sure of the formulation and suspect there was another ingredient or two.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Fri 01 May, 2015 11:36 am

Thanks guys I'll try the wash and see how it goes. At the moment I have it spread out in the sun and worst case I'll have it as a spare if it comes out ok.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Fri 01 May, 2015 11:48 am

I'm really curious as to how this actually happened.... Had you been out of town for many weeks? Who are the idiots who used your stuff in a house move? How did no one notice or move it whilst it was outside for a month? I know these are not relevant questions, I'm just so curious haha.


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Re: Wet sleeping bag

Fri 01 May, 2015 2:37 pm

Perfect excuse to upgrade to a quilt!

But seriously, give it a good wash or two and see how it goes. Plus I find that the "tennis ball trick" basically doesn't work. The down clumps will separate by themselves once they are dry enough.

Re: Wet sleeping bag

Wed 27 May, 2015 10:31 pm

So after a few washes and drying out the bag has lost the smell and seems to be ok. I work away for 5 weeks and had the sleeping bag out in my shed but it was grabbed with some old blankets and used. A mistake but it was done and the bag seems usable so will see how it goes. Thanks for the help
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