Lofty Thinking

Use a broom with a bag tied over its head to push the sleeping bag under the bed

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Sleeping bags shouldn't be kept in their small stuffsacks any longer than necessary, otherwise you risk losing that precious loft that gives a sleep sack it's warmth retaining abilities. When a bag goes flat, you go cold, and then you have to go back to the store.

Some manufacturer supply a large cotton storage sack with their sleeping bags, which are dandy at allowing a bag to expand and breathe out any trapped moisture. But they hog storage space, and don't necessarily allow a bag to really loft out. Here's an alternative storage method that will let's your sleeping bag reach its maximum potential in the field.

Under-The-Bed Storage

Every home has storage space under the beds, and it is probably unused! Aha, you say, but how do I get the bag into that relatively low space? With a broom! Tie a plastic shopping bag over the broom head to keep the sleeping bag clean, insert it inside the sleeping bag, and push it under the bed! Then remove the broom.

But it's dusty under there, you say! Two possible solutions — more frequent vacuuming (!), or sew a cover for your sleeping bag made out of an old bedsheet. Fold the sheet in half and stitch or safety-pin along the edges to make an elongated storage envelope. Unfortunately the bedsheet bag resists easy sliding on carpeted floors, so you'll have to tug on it a bit. If you happen to have a spare silk bedsheet handy, you're in luck.

A few cautions:

Do NOT use this method on basement floors — the bag will get damp.

Dry out the bag totally before putting it under the bed.