Restoring well-used down sleeping bags

[jameso]

How do you do it? I have a ME Alpine bag, 800g or so, nothing really flash but it's a good winter bag, been used enough over a number of years for the down to have clumped up and it has empty spaces. Needs a good wash too. Does anyone offer a restore service, or is there a tested way to wash and fluff them? (for ref, I've reproofed Gtex without ruining it and can wash my own smalls, but I don't own a tumble drier)

[Bearbonesnorm]

Try these people: http://www.mountaineering-designs.co.uk/

Without a tumble dryer you'll have a very damp, fragile bag hanging round for weeks

[jameso]

Thanks, that'll do. £35 and they reckon they can restore a bag after a full-on mountaineering expedition's worth of fuel and food stains. Wonder what they'll make of a few year's worth of sweaty, dirty-legged bivi trips.
edit - if I use next-door's drier, is a gentle flat wash in a bath with tech-wash or similar ok? Or will I end up with just a leaky bivi bag with a very cosy foot area..

[Andrew]

take it to a laundrette and wash it yourself with soap flakes or use a specialist down wash product if you feel the need, then tumble dry with a few tennis balls, all you need is their big volume machines to get the job done.

[Anthony]

There is a company in Sheffield iirc that both Rab and PHD recommend for washing duties. I'm sure a google will uncover an outdoorsmagic thread with details. Their name escapes me, sure it begins with S!

Largely considered worth every penny for what they can do to old down gear.

[Anthony]

W.E Franklins.

I said it was an S :?

[johnnystorm]

I recently washed my Mountaineering Designs Half Dome. It took hours to tumble dry it. Next time I'll send it to a professional. Adding up the cost of the tumble drying, Tech Wash & hassle I bet there isn't much in it.

[jameso]

good point johnnystorm
and thanks for the links

[Zippy]

edit - if I use next-door's drier, is a gentle flat wash in a bath with tech-wash or similar ok? Or will I end up with just a leaky bivi bag with a very cosy foot area..

I did this to my Pipedream 400 after it got completely saturated (I mean completely, it was a gooey mess) after thinking spending new years at the top of snowdon in an alpkit hunka was a good idea. I was surprised how well some gentel tech washing worked.

Don't have a tumble drier, so did a gentle spin cycle in the washing machine I think and let it dry naturally hanging off the banister, gentle plumping and rotation every now and then.

I recently washed my Mountaineering Designs Half Dome. It took hours to tumble dry it. Next time I'll send it to a professional. Adding up the cost of the tumble drying, Tech Wash & hassle I bet there isn't much in it.

Agree