Storing Down Bag?

Lot's of opinions on best method, but the differences between best and good are small. In the bag is fine. Don't worry about that silica pack. Do aim for the cool, dry, dark (indoor lighting is probably OK) place.

edit: I assume it is clear that compressed in a stuff sack is neither best nor good, but bad.

I don't have the required room to hang any of my quilts so I use the big REI cotton storage sacks. I have used the cheap mesh laundry sacks as well, but the cotton keeps the dust out better.

I keep mine in large plastic totes since we have pets that I do not want near my bags. After a trip I air them out thoroughly first, then store them inside the tote where they are protected. So far it seems to work quite well.

Dave,
If your bag came with a thingie for absorbing moisture, by all means use it!
I store my down bags in their large cotton bags. I keep them inside the house, in my bedroom upstairs. If you have pets, a clean dry closet will work well to keep them out.

The silica gel sachet is there to absorb moisture during transport/storage before the purchase. Once it becomes saturated with moisture it stops working. You can revive them by drying them in the sun, very low heat oven or radiator, however they are totally useless if used in open spaces , like inside a cotton bag under the bed.
Making sure that the bag is thoroughly dry before you store it is the most important point.
Franco

There are a couple types of the packets on the market – some are pretty big, designed for storage.

Though I would be first to tell people to not store down anything in a garage or unheated rooms in cold wet areas.

i store mine under a bed, on top of the pads.

Maybe I should have made my point clearer. All of those moisture absorbing bags are meant to be used inside an enclosed ( air tight) container (not a cotton bag) and , regardless of size, will only work till they are saturated. In practical terms, they offer a temporary solution, IE during transport.
Franco

Thanks for the advice

I have two down bags, Marmot Hydrogen and a Marmot Col. The Hydrogen is stored in its cotton sack in a rubbermaid tote, the Col is stored flat on a shelf above my clothes in a closet. It's too big to put in a cotton sack or tote.

I have my new unused Marmot Atom in an old suitcase and in the larger storage sack. Also 'normal' size sack and the compression bag I'll use.