CARE INSTRUCTIONS

NOMAD HEAT WOOL SLEEPING BAGS

Cleaning & Drying Your Wool Sleeping Bag

Ironing and dry cleaning can damage your sleeping bag’s shell and insulation. The chemical compounds used in dry cleaning can strip away the natural oils in wool and hot ironing may damage the shell.

 

Spot Cleaning

Washing the whole sleeping bag will make it susceptible to wear and will decrease its loft, making it less fluffy. Your best option for keeping the sleeping bag clean and in perfect condition is spot cleaning. Make sure to regularly clean the hood and the collar area.

  • Use a DIY paste-like mixture of non-detergent soap and water
  • Spread the paste on a small soft brush or sponge and clean the shell of the sleeping bag with gentle moves
  • Rinse the treated area of the fabric with lukewarm water – make sure to hold the fabric away from the wool filling inside so that it doesn’t soak
  • Let it air-dry completely on a flat surface in the sun

 

Machine-washing

Washing is possible but make sure to follow the instructions carefully:

  • Before putting the sleeping bag in the machine, make sure to zip up all the zippers
  • Use water temperature up to 30°C (90°F) and a gentle cycle
  • Use a detergent for wool or silk. Do not bleach. Do not add fabric softeners or stain removers – they might affect the sleeping bag’s performance
  • Avoid using a top-loading machine with an agitator

 

Handwashing

  • Fill your tub with lukewarm water
  • Use wool detergent, but avoid using too much of it since it will be harder to rinse it out
  • Put the sleeping bag in the tub and gently rub together the most heavily dirt-affected areas
  • Use a soft sponge to go through the whole shell of the sleeping bag
  • Let it soak for up to an hour and drain the water
  • Gently press out any remaining water on the sleeping bag
  • Fill the tub with lukewarm water to rinse. Gently work out the soap and drain
  • Repeat the rinsing procedure until there is no soap left

 

Drying

  • The sleeping bag will be heavy when wet so you might need a little help handling it
  • Do not tumble dry
  • Air-dry it on a flat surface, preferably in the sun
  • Avoid twisting the sleeping bag to remove excess water but if you need to, squeeze it out lightly

Storing Your Wool Sleeping Bag

Store your wool sleeping bag carefully to make it last longer.

  • Coming back from a trip, unzip the bag and let it air out (preferably in the sun) to make sure it is completely dry
  • Do not put it back in its sack – storing it compressed will damage the filling over time
  • Store your sleeping bag in a cool, dry place, uncompressed in a box or by hanging it up – this helps to keep the filling spread out evenly and maintain its fluffiness
  • Keep a lavender sachet close to your wool sleeping bag to repel moths

Stuffing Your Wool Sleeping Bag in the Sack

Avoid storing your bag compressed in its sack. Compression for extended periods of time will reduce its fluffiness and texture.

  • Before stuffing your sleeping bag into its sack, make sure to fully close the zippers
  • Fold the widest part at the shoulders in and start rolling up from the feet
  • Use the built-in straps to compress the sleeping bag

Additional Tips

  • Keep away from open flames
  • Always sleep in clean clothes
  • Remove any sunscreen or other heavy cosmetics from your face and neck so that they do not soak into your sleeping bag
  • A textile cap will keep oily hair off the hood
  • Do not sleep in the clothes you cooked in, since the smell will soak in the fabrics and the insulation
  • Consider using an additional sleeping bag liner that will act as a barrier between your skin and the bag. We offer lightweight pure silk liners that will add to your sleeping bag’s temperature rating and are also machine washable and extremely easy to maintain.
  • Protect your bag from the ground by putting a pad down on first and make sure to remove any sharp objects from the ground that might damage the sleeping bag
  • Be careful with zippers to avoid snagging
  • Regularly air out your sleeping bag in fresh air and sunlight – to dry out any moisture accumulated during the night, turn it inside out and let it dry out completely
  • Hot objects such as cooking pots can damage the fabric
  • Use lavender sachets to keep moths away
  • Insect repellents that contain DEET will damage the sleeping bag – do not spray directly on it

Repairs

If a small tear occurs in the shell while you’re camping sew it up by hand. Always keep a needle and thread in your repair kit. You can also use a wound bandage from your first-aid kit. When home, you can carefully remove the hand stitches or the bandage and sew the fabric with a sewing machine or take it to a seamstress.

If the damage is more serious, have it repaired by a professional.

 

REPAIR TUFTING

Use the complimentary mending kit included in your package to repair tufts if needed.

Step 1: Thread a long piece of twine through your needle. Push the needle through the whole item where you wish to repair a tuft (or create a new one) and pull it all the way through. Part of the thread should stay on the other side of the product. Let the needle and the thread go through the button or the wool yarn bow.

Step 2: Push the needle back through a hole half an inch away from the one you came out from. Push it all the way through and tug the thread tight.

Step 3: Put the needle through the button or through the wool yarn bow, tie the thread into 3 knots, and snip it.