keeping them clean and smell free?

[NJHeart2Heart]

Thanks all for the useful advice!

[CustomateMe]

I tend to sweat a lot whether it's cold out or not. Just a warm kinda guy I guess. I tell the Scouts the same thing, ALWAYS air out your equipment after camping. If you find that it needs to be cleaned--I use synthetic down for my top quilt--Wash it like silk-gentle cycle with low spin- and dry it as flat as you can. Once it gets close to dry start to fluff it back out (shake it a few times). If you can, always store it hanging up, never in a stuff sack.

[hang em high]

Lots of good advice here. Good thread!

[TallPaul]

Be sure to follow the instructions from the vendor if you wash the quilt in the future. Many seem to be able to wash their bag without issue but the one time I did it I had issues and had to send the bag back to the vendor.
And that was after carefully following instructions and reading a lot of advice on here. Hammockgear only recommends washing the bag if absolutely necessary. I guess you could argue what defines necessary.

Personally I air out my quilts after a trip for a few days. I store them uncompressed. On trail, I’ll air them at camp if it is nice out. In cool weather, I typically have clean-ish sleep clothes. But in summer that isn’t a given. I never washed a bag until I got poison ivy inside.

[OutandBack]

As a proud new owner of my first topquilt, I'm curious how you all keep your TQs clean and odor free (or minimal)?
Do many of you use liners?

Bottomline its diet while hiking. There is a reason they call them fart sacks. HaHa
Also its a good idea to have a set of sleep cloths.
I like cabelas lightweight silk tops and bottoms with them I can take 5 degrees off what quilt set I bring.
hth

[Otter1]

Liners suck - they restrict movement and kinda stick to me as I shift. Way more trouble than they're worth.

My base layers w/socks perform this function - and work in camp too, so dual purpose.

As has been mentioned keep yourself kinda clean.

[Liri1]

Clean pajamas will do the job!

[MikekiM]

Clean sleep clothes.

Everything gets hung to air out once home. An occasional spritz with fabreeze just to be reminded home and clean laundry.

Haven't washed any of my quilts yet and never tried a liner other than as a super lite summer top cover.

[MAD777]

I do change into a fresh, lightweight wool tee shirt after sponge bath & before dinner. I'll keep that shirt separate for use on the remaining nights. I also keep a separate pair of sleep socks.

After a dozen trips or so, I hand wash my quilts in Down Wash. They are noticeably fluffier after that.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[IRONFISH45]

I found linners to be a P.I.T.A. in a hammock.
I get a pedicure every so often, so no foot damage.
Summer I sleep natural. Sponge Bath or swim before bed. Winter calls for silk base layer.

I was my down items from time to time. Mostly in a big commercial front loading washer. I use the bath tub occassionally, less often as time goes on.
- down soap and directions are followed carefully.
- Tepid water.
- A good careful rinse is all important.
- I am very careful moving the quilt.
--Roll quilt in a big bath towel.
--Maybe three or four different towels to get most of the H2O removed.
Big dryer---use great caution chech the heat frequently. I use a very low heat, barely warm. I put the DAMP towels in the dryer with the quilt along with a couple of clean white tennis shoes to thump the down around.

The big trick is BE SURE THE QUILT IS DRY.
To me drying down is a long project so be prepared. I stay clise to the dryer and check progress frequently.

I have been washing down items since the 70's so far nothing has been rendered damaged.
Clean down fluffs up beautifully.

Careful selection of down wash.
Measure the down wash carefully.
Lots of water and room in the washer.
Use warm water not hot, not cold.
Extract water gently. Big Beach Towels work well to get the drips out. Somehow drying the towels with the quilt speed up the process.
Very low heat, check progress frequently. Be positive the quilt is dry.