Keeping your sleeping bag clean

Keeping your sleeping bag clean assures comfort—but make sure you clean it correctly, to assure top performance. Hand-washing is safest, though today’s sleeping bags can be machine-washed. Never dry clean your sleeping bag.

To limit the number of times you wash your sleeping bag, try using a sleeping bag liner to protect the inside from body oils, sweat and moisture. Spot clean the outside. You can buy a liner or make your own from a light blanket.

To machine-wash a down or polyester-filled sleeping bag, use a front-load machine set on the coolest setting. Use soap, not laundry detergent, and run the bag through a second clear water rinse cycle. Then put it in the dryer, also on the coolest setting.

Hand-wash your sleeping bag in the bathtub. Work it around in soapy water until it’s soaked. Drain the tub, then swish your sleeping bag through clear water until it’s thoroughly rinsed. Don’t pick up the wet bag; the material may be damaged by its own weight. Instead, drain the tub, loosely roll the bag and lightly squeeze out most of the water.

Now you can hang your bag over a clothesline or lay it out to dry—which may take several days. Keep moving it and puffing it with your hands until it is dry all the way through, preventing mold and mildew. Store your bag loosely.

Good cooking while camping

The modern camp stove is convenient, easy to use and an environmentally friendly alternative to the campfire. Choose from a wide range of fuel types—propane, butane, white gas, kerosene, and even denatured alcohol—with varying expense and cook times.

You can find camp stoves small enough to fit in your pocket or so big you’ll need two people to move them. Some of the most popular models are designed to fit inside camping cookware for easy transport.

Check manufacturers’ websites or visit your local camping gear store to find the model that fits your group size, cooking habits and budget. Look for stoves that are easy to set up and easy to clean, for top performance and camping enjoyment.

Keeping the bugs away

The best defense against mosquitoes and flies is a good offense. To keep bugs out of your tent, start with insect netting windows. Eureka! tent makers recommend a 40-denier netting, the tightest weave available—small enough to keep out the no-see-ums. It’s easy to see through and allows for good air movement.

When you set up, make sure your tent has no openings at ground level, around the windows or at the seams. Duct tape or seam sealer comes in handy if you spot an opening. And when you leave your tent, zip it up to keep out uninvited guests.

Finally, a good spray around the windows, roof screens and door can keep out winged and crawling critters.

Staying dry in your tent

Buy a quality tent. Look for a tent with a bathtub floor to minimize floor seams at ground level. Great air circulation is the best way to minimize condensation and stay dry. Our Eureka! tents are constructed with quality fabrics and reinforced in high stress areas to protect against wear and tear.

Put a layer of waterproof plastic under your tent. Fold its edges so they don't stick out; otherwise, water can collect in the crease and run under the tent floor. An additional ground cloth between your sleeping bag and the tent floor helps guarantee the campers in your group a dry night's sleep.

Sleeping well

Tent camping sleeping options start with the tent floor. If you’re camping on smooth ground, a sleeping bag atop a ground cloth or camp pad may be enough. If you want more of the comforts of home, however, consider other sleeping options.

Self-inflating air mattresses are easy to pack and come in single and double sizes. Remember that the temperature of the air is directly affected by the temperature of the ground. While today’s air mattresses are tough and hold air all night, bring along a repair kit for punctures.

Camping cots come in varied lengths and fold down for compact storage. Many combine lightweight aluminum frames with springs to make sleeping in a tent almost like sleeping at home. Older campers and those with limited mobility often find camping cots ideal.

A camping hammock can be a wonderful experience. Hang it between a couple of trees, using wide straps to protect the bark or a system of ropes to evenly distribute the weight. Then drift off to a snug, comfortable sleep. Army surplus-style models have mosquito netting in place to help protect you from the bugs.

Planning a family camping trip

Kids and camping are a natural delight. After you try a trial run in the back yard, plan a night or two at a family-friendly campsite—and begin a tradition that can last a lifetime.

As you pack, remember that the adults will end up carrying most of the gear. If you are backpacking campers, plan only a short hiking distance, and allow time for rests and exploration along the trail. If you are campground campers and this is your first family camping trip, focus on the basics: getting there, setting up your campsite, eating, sleeping. It's better to be relaxed than overscheduled.

No matter what the weather forecast, be ready for rain. Make sure your tent seams are sealed, use dry bags to protect food and clothes, and bring your rain gear so you can keep on having fun in the outdoors. Dress kids in layers so they can easily adjust to the weather.

Think multi-purpose. A plastic storage box can not only hold clothes but also serve as a nightstand inside your tent, or become a toddler’s bathtub. Bring a bag full of plastic bags to hold dirty clothes, wet towels, diapers and trash. Don’t forget the rubber bands, which also have multiple uses.

Give everyone a job. Get kids involved in planning the trip, and have them share in responsibilities at the site. Search the Internet for a craft or camping activity—but leave time for the surprises that will turn into treasured camping memories.