Slept out two nights with a group of scouts this past weekend with a mix of snow and rain. My down sleeping bag got a little damp. Some from my breath near the head (which is unavoidable, and some just from a bit of condensation. No big deal, par for the course. But then I did the exact opposite of what I tell the scouts to do. I literally told a few nearby scouts that I would normally hang the bag because it will dry out even in the cold (it was clear and cold on Sunday morning), but since we were heading home I was taking a shortcut and I packed up my bag damp. I should have practiced what I preached. My mistake really comes that I toss my backpack into the front seat of my car, start the engine to warm it up and defrost, and then promptly forgot it was running while us adults made and ate breakfast. By the time I realized it, the car was nice and toasty and smelled like a locker room. My fear was confirmed when I unpacked at home and the bag was the source of the smell.
So my question now is, aside from the obvious of drying the bag out (I've got it hanging with a fan blowing on it and I turn it inside out every now and then), is there anything else I should be doing. I've got at least two more snow campouts before i would put the bag up for the season. Am I forced to wash this thing now, and again at the end of the season? I generally try to avoid washing sleeping bags as much as possible, and always use a liner to keep them clean. Will the odor fade as it dries? Have I permanently infected my bag with mildew, or does down just stink when wet? Any advise, pointers, and smacks to the back of the head appreciated.