Skip_M._Kliphiem Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I have a couple of quality bags that are getting close to mankey. What's your advice on washing them yourself and /or having them professionally serviced. Is there a place in Seattle one would recommend? I don't want to send them off somewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fence_Sitter Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 woolite in the tub... hand rinnse until you would drink the water... drying is the hard part... dont want to take too long or you will get mildew, but dont wanna damage the down either... also be careful wringing... worked for me so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbclimber Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I had mine washed by Rainy Pass Repair in the U District. They did a good job but it cost around $40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackbolter Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Check this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Parker Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 So is Woolite really ok or should you get the "special" stuff?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 Woolite is the best thing out there for down. The guys at the down lab in SLC even say so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted June 30, 2003 Share Posted June 30, 2003 I purchased a small bottle of down detergent from Feathered Friends a c while back. Since you only use a small amount it has lasted a long time. It was not expensive. It is very time consuming to dry the bag/coat. (Though my down sweater/puffy dries quickly on tumble with very low heat in the home dryer). Put an old tenis shoe and or a couple of tennis balls in the dryer with the bag. Use a large front loader to wash...and a large front loding dryer too. I am so paranoid that some place will screw my bag up, so I wash it myself on a rainy fall day , to wet to climb alpine, to cold for the eastern crags and not enough snow on high. Good luck with it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Tennis balls or shoes might seem like a good idea unless you consider whether or not you are worried about damaging the baffles. It takes a little longer without, but that's my choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshK Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 I use tennis balls. I can't imagine them damaging the baffles, unless your sleeping bag is shit. I agree about tennis shoes, it seems they could be a little rougher on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodchester Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 I have used one tennis shoe with three tennis balls at the same time, and had no problems. I agree that if your bag is damaged by tennis balls, it is shit and the wash cycle would likely do more damage. I checked it every 15 minutes or so and did my best to break up the clumps and loft it up to speed the drying. It sucks . But you'll get over it. Like I said, pick a rainy day and get a twelve pack. Mid to late November is usally the time to kill a weekend without missing quality climb time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crackbolter Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Funny, I wash down stuff every day and never use the tennis ball trick. Seems like the eight of the down when it is wet eliminates the need. It keeps the bag from smelling like shoes too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 1, 2003 Share Posted July 1, 2003 Baffle material is not going to take a lot of abuse. I just open the dryer from time to time and unclump the clumps by hand. It does not matter how chaep or expensive the bag is, a torn baffle would be a bitch to repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skip_M._Kliphiem Posted July 1, 2003 Author Share Posted July 1, 2003 Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. What if I don't have any tennis shoes or tennis balls, would a tennis racket work? It's an old Wilson T3000 like Jimmy Conners always played with. BTW, That Marylou looks vaguely familiar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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