Drover Double Sleeping Bag: Care, Cleaning and Storage Tips
By Kakadu | Outback Shower, Camping Cot Tents & Swags | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: Tips & Care
Keep your Drover Double Sleeping Bag warm and lofty with a simple care routine: wash with the right products, dry it properly, and store it uncompressed.
Quick answer
Wash your Drover Double Sleeping Bag two to three times a year, or sooner if it smells or feels clammy. Use a front-loading washer with a gentle, non-detergent soap on a cold, delicate cycle, then air-dry it completely before storing it loosely. Never dry-clean it or store it compressed.
Why the Drover Double Needs a Different Care Routine
The Drover Double is a 23°F two-person bag with a tough Ripstop® cotton canvas outer and a soft 100% cotton flannel inner. That combination is durable and breathable, but it also means you should avoid harsh detergents, heat, and long-term compression. Cotton canvas and flannel are natural fibers that can shrink or stiffen if treated like synthetic gear, and the bag's warmth depends on keeping its loft intact. Treat it more like a heavy cotton quilt than a technical mummy bag.
What You Need Before You Start
Gather a front-loading washing machine (or a bathtub if you don't have one), a gentle non-detergent soap or a dedicated down/synthetic wash, and a clean, dry space to air the bag. Avoid top-loaders with an agitator, fabric softener, bleach, and enzyme detergents. If you're washing a double bag in a home machine, check the drum size first: a wet Drover Double is heavy and needs room to move freely.
Step-by-Step Drover Double Care
- Spot-clean small marks first: Mix a drop of gentle soap with cool water and dab the canvas with a soft cloth. Rinse by blotting with a clean damp cloth. Common mistake: scrubbing hard, which can abrade the Ripstop® weave. If the mark lifts easily, you may not need a full wash yet.
- Pre-treat zippers and high-contact areas: Use a soft brush or cloth with mild soapy water along the zipper tape and the flannel near the hood. Wipe away residue with a clean damp cloth. Checkpoint: no soapy film left behind. Skipping this step lets body oils and grit build up and stiffen the zipper.
- Wash on a cold, delicate cycle: Use a front-loading machine with a gentle non-detergent soap. Choose cold water and a delicate or hand-wash cycle. Do not add fabric softener or bleach. Common mistake: using a top-loader with an agitator, which can twist and stress the bag. If your machine is too small, wash the bag in a bathtub with cool water and gentle agitation by hand.
- Rinse thoroughly: Run an extra rinse cycle or rinse the bag in clean cool water until no suds remain. Soap residue attracts moisture and dirt. Checkpoint: the water runs clear. Residue left in the flannel can make the bag feel clammy and reduce loft.
- Dry flat or hang, never in a hot dryer: Lay the bag flat on a clean drying rack or hang it over two lines so the weight is supported. Air-dry in a shaded, breezy spot. Turn it occasionally. Common mistake: putting it in a hot dryer, which can shrink the cotton shell and flannel. The bag is completely dry when the flannel feels dry to the touch and the canvas has no damp chill.
- Store loosely, not compressed: Once fully dry, store the Drover Double in a large cotton or mesh storage sack, or lay it flat under a bed. Keep it in a cool, dry place. Never leave it in a stuff sack or compression sack for long periods. Checkpoint: the bag should look full and puffy, not flattened. Loft is what traps warmth; compression crushes the fibers over time.
Drover Double at a Glance
- Drover Double Sleeping Bag: The Drover Double 23F Sleeping Bag has a Ripstop® cotton canvas outer and a 100% cotton flannel inner, rated to 23°F. The cotton shell and flannel lining are durable and breathable, but they need gentle washing and thorough drying to avoid shrinkage or stiffness.
