Hello all can anyone recommend a good company to clean my Rab down sleeping bag ? thanks v much Ed
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 The same one Rab recommend themselves: Franklins of Sheffield
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 Franklins in Sheffield. Not cheap but the results are very good. -very dirty to looking new!!
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 Franklins are practically perfect so long as you are not in a tearing rush. They did a superb job on mine for £35, I think it was, inc. p&p, which is good value if you have ever tried to do it yourself 
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try searching for cleaning services found some guys from a nationwide company to clean mine...can't remember the name of them though sorry 
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 Rab have changed their recommendation as highlighted in a recent thread Rab down care I'm sticking with Franklins for now - got a bag needs to go. I've done small bags, jackets & vests myself before. Bags are a PIA. All sleeping bags getting done professionally in future!
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 >All sleeping bags getting done professionally in future! Completely agree a mate did a light weight down sleeping bag and the hassle not to mention worry of screwing it up made the £25* odd money spent on having it done professionally worth it. Gonna send off the Ghost in the spring for its first clean Franklins is my first choice. * He dried most of it at a local laundrette in one of those huge driers.... 20p for 3 minutes or so cost about £15! LOL 
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Question guys. I have never been in the position of needing a down bag cleaned -but I noticed my local Morrisons dry clean sleeping bags for £14. Now...I see a lot of websites say dont dry clean (and a few who say, yeh, no problem) but whats the answer and why?
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 I believe the chemicals/solvents used in the dry cleaning process can strip the natural oils out of the down, causing loss of loft. And they will also damage any DWR of the shell. I think.
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But...wouldnt washing do much the same to the natural oils anyway (and as none of my bags have a DWR) why should I worry about the DWR?
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From PHD: Dry Cleaning: Generally not recommended, because many dry-cleaning fluids can damage the down or the proofing on the fabrics or both. If you find someone who really does know how to do the job properly, make sure you air the item properly afterwards (particularly sleeping bags) to get rid of fumes, which can be dangerous. I think the fluids used nowadays aren't as harsh or potent but for something that's done so infrequently I'd stick with the specialists
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GOF, <comment removed>
So I'll just say that I assume that its for cleaning synthetic bags as has already been said dry cleaning a down bag would wreck it. Both my bags specifically state NOT (there capitalisation) to dry clean them.
I asked about the washing and was told that yes it does strip the oils from the down but at a much much slower rate hence you should only wash your down bag when absolutely necessary.
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Thinks Bedders post is the key (regardless) - wash only when really required (which is also why I use liners and/or a cheap single season bag as a liner. From the days of dry cleaners using carbon tet. I understand the no dry cleaning - but carbon tet has been banned for years - just wondering if the recommendations/instructions havent caught up? There again...would I trust a £300 sleeping bag to high street dry cleaner..instead of maybe twice the price but a known job...I'll go with Rosswm.
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