Sleeping Bag Care and Use - The North Face Cat's Meow Sleeping Bag

Caring for your Cat's Meow sleeping bag

So you've got a Cat's Meow sleeping bag and want it to last forever? Here's how:

Always store your bag long term out of the compression sack, in the stuff sack or hanging up in your closet.
Prior to setttling down for the night shake out your sleeping bag in your tent, this allows the loft to expand for maxiumum warmth.
Watch those embers! A stray hot ember could mean burns or holes in your favorite (and expensive) bag.
Never store a sleeping bag wet, after a trip always air out your bag. If you don't you will encourage mould growth inside it.
Wash your sleeping bag peroidically, this removes body oils from the insulation which slowly break it down. A step by step guide is provided below.

So your Cat's Meow has been on a few camps and is starting to smell funky, here's how to get it back smelling and looking nice and fresh.

Spot clean with water stains and spills that might happen inside your tent or bunk.
When your're ready to wash your Cat's Meow, always use a commerical size front load washing machine. Washing in a top loading machine will result in the baffles getting torn and insulation clumping at the bottom of the bag rendering it useless.
Zip the bag up completely and turn inside out. Since you have a Cat's Meow, check the pocket if you left your sunglasses or watch inside.
Set the machine to a gentle setting with warm water. Use a small amount of mild detergent, never as much as you would when doing a regular load of laundry.
If you have your own large front loading machine at home try adding an extra rinse cycle and extra water. You want to make sure the soap is completely rinsed out of the bag.
When your Cat's Meow is ready for the dryer, set the dryer for a low heat setting. If the laundromat allows throw in a couple tennis balls with it. These will prevent the insulation from clumping. If you have dryer balls you use instead of fabric softener these work even better.
A commercial dryer will usually take 20 to 30 minutes to dry your sleeping bag. Be sure to turn it inside out halfway through. If it still feels damp try throwing it in the dryer at home for another hour, again on a low heat setting.
Now that your Meow is fresh and clean, make sure you store it properly for your next outing!