How to take care of your Solo Quilt

☞ Before putting your quilt in the washing machine or in a tub, here are some things you need to know first . . .

Always wash in cold water using a neutral PH detergent which doesn’t leave residue. E.g.,  Revivex Pro-Cleaner, specially designed for washing outdoor gear or neutral PH formulation designed for wool or silk material.

Why? Because conventional laundry detergent contains brighteners and fillers that may stick to the polyester fibers and reduce the loft. They also compromise the water repellent finish.

Do not dry-clean.

ALWAYS use a front loading washing machine. DO NOT use a top loading washing machine. Why? Because the mechanical action of the impeller (the plastic spiral in the drum) of top loading washing machines is far too rough for backpacking quilts (and sleeping bags).

If hand washing, the tub (or basin) has to be spotlessly cleaned beforehand and free of soap and other residues that can ruin the insulation or both the shell and liner fabrics.

☞ Following these instructions will allow you to wash your quilt while preserving its quality and warmth.

Hand wash instructions

1. Turn the quilt inside out and place it in the tub – it’s best to use a clean bathtub or a clean extra-large basin.
2. Add enough cold water to cover the quilt and add the recommended amount of the non-detergent soap.
3. Gently knead the quilt to force water/soap through it. DO NOT PICK UP THE QUILT DURING THE PROCESS – the weight of the water might tear the fabrics.
4. When the quilt seems clean, drain the tub and then carefully roll up the quilt to gently squeeze the water out. DO NOT WRING THE QUILT.
   Turn quilt right-side out.
5. Refill the tub with warm clean water and knead the quilt to force clean water through it – continue until there are no more suds.
6. Carefully roll up the quilt again to gently squeeze the water out of it.

Machine-wash instructions

1. Select a delicate (or normal gentle) wash cycle with a temperature setting of no higher than 40°C / 100°F with an extra rinse cycle.
2. Select a longer spin cycle – it is important that as much water is spun out of the quilt as much as possible before you attempt to remove it from the drum.

☞ Whether you hand wash or machine-wash, DO NOT PICK UP THE QUILT WHEN IT IS FULL OF WATER – the weight of the water in the insulation may tear the fabrics.

Tumble dry

1. Once the water has been gently squeezed out of the quilt, carefully put it in a large laundry sack before putting it in a tumble dryer.
2. Set the dryer to low heat or ‘delicates’ and run a complete cycle – do not use ‘dryer sheets’ for this process.
3. Remove the quilt from the laundry sack and turn it inside out. Return the quilt to the laundry sack and put it back in the dryer.
4. Repeat these drying cycles until the insulation is absolutely dry – if the quilt is put away even slightly damp, mold or mildew can form.

Air drying

You can air dry your synthetic quilt by hanging it in a warm dry spot or spreading it on a clean groundsheet.

Make sure the quilt is completely DRY before storing it CLEAN AND UNCOMPRESSED on its storage sack where it will ready for your next adventure.