Caring for, washing & storing sleeping bags - How do I go about it?

Your sleeping bag is your faithful companion on the campsite and keeps you nice and warm at night. You should therefore always take care of it so that it stays cosy - and above all clean. Here you will find tips on general care and cleaning and on washing machine and tumble dryer. If you follow these tips, you will enjoy your sleeping bag for a long time!

Make sure you shake out your sleeping bag every morning and, if possible, put it outside to air. This will prevent unpleasant odours. Lay it on the tent or over smooth stones, for example, so that the outer material is not damaged. The surface should be as dry as possible. If you are frequently changing locations or are on a trekking tour, you should take your sleeping bag out of the pack sack as early as possible. This way it is better ventilated and the filling has time to fully unfold to keep you warm at night.

Sleeping bags with microfibre filling are easier to care for than down sleeping bags and are also allergy-friendly. All our sleeping bags are filled with microfibre, which is why you can easily wash them in the washing machine at 30 °C on a gentle programme. This will give your sleeping bag a good fresh. You don't need to worry either - the colours won't wash out and the filling will stay where it belongs. This is because the microfibre filling is divided into different chambers. This keeps your sleeping bag cosy and above all warm at all times, as the heat distribution remains comprehensive.

Before you put your microfibre sleeping bag in the washing machine, close all zips, Velcro fasteners and buttons and open any drawstrings on the collar. Turn the sleeping bag inside out before washing. Make sure to use special detergent - such as for functional materials - and avoid fabric softener. After washing, you can briefly set the spin cycle to a low setting. This reduces the drying time enormously.

Sleeping bags with microfibre filling are easier to care for than down sleeping bags and are also allergy-friendly. All our sleeping bags are filled with microfibre, which is why you can easily wash them in the washing machine at 30 °C on a gentle programme. This will give your sleeping bag a good fresh. You don't need to worry either - the colours won't fade and the filling will stay where it belongs. This is because the microfibre filling is divided into different chambers. This keeps your sleeping bag cosy and above all warm at all times, as the heat distribution remains evenly distributed.

Down sleeping bags, on the other hand, are not washed in the washing machine, but by hand. The best way to clean your down sleeping bag is in the bathtub** with plenty of warm water and a detergent specially formulated for down. Do not knead the sleeping bag too much, immerse it completely under water and leave it to soak for a maximum of 30 minutes. Then rinse the sleeping bag several times with cold water so that there are no more detergent residues in the material.

The decision as to how often you wash your sleeping bag depends on both the frequency of use and whether you use a liner for your sleeping bag. In general, your sleeping bag should only be washed as often as necessary. If you have slept in your sleeping bag for a total of around two months without a liner, then washing it in the washing machine would make sense - the same applies from around four months with a liner.

In contrast to the washing machine, you should avoid using a tumble dryer for synthetic fibre sleeping bags, as the heat capacity can decrease. Dry your sleeping bag outside in the fresh air - indoors in bad weather, of course. Just try to avoid direct sunlight, as prolonged exposure to UV radiation can damage the material.

The most important thing when drying your sleeping bag is to let it dry lying flat so that the filling material is not distributed on one side. To do this, lay the sleeping bag across your clothes horse in the garden or make sure you dry it in the cellar over a drain. Remember to turn the sleeping bag regularly and shake it up from time to time so that it dries evenly on both sides. Air-drying your sleeping bag takes up to three days. This depends entirely on the thickness of the sleeping bag.

We recommend using a dryer to distribute the down better in a down sleeping bag. However, dry the sleeping bag in the air for a few hours first. Set the dryer to a low temperature - 30 °C approximately - and add a few tennis balls to prevent the down from clumping together.

So that you don't always have to put your sleeping bag straight into the washing machine, simply remove small stains with a soft cloth or sponge, some dishwashing liquid or other all-purpose cleaner and warm water.

Always make sure that your sleeping bag is stored in a dry, not too cold place. Long-term storage in a campervan or cellar is not recommended. It is better to store it in a warmer and drier place such as your wardrobe.

If stored incorrectly, an unpleasant odour can easily develop and the insulation can be lost. It is not advisable to continue storing the sleeping bag in the stuff sack at home. There are extra storage bags made of mesh or cotton that offer the sleeping bag more space so that it is not always packed tightly. Alternatively, you can use a pillowcase so that the sleeping bag has enough space and is protected from dust.

In addition, the following applies: Stuffing instead of rolling! To transport your sleeping bag from A to B or to store it over the winter, it is better to stuff your sleeping bag into the storage bag instead of rolling it. If you roll it, you usually proceed in the same way and always crease the same places, which can cause the material to lose insulation. Also, always pack your sleeping bag with the zip open in the storage bag.

As you can see, cleaning and storing your sleeping bag is not too complicated. Always consider the material of the sleeping bag and pay attention to daily care during your camping trip. If you then take care of the ideal cleaning and storage, your sleeping bag will be grateful and will always keep you warm and protected from the cold at night in your tent or campervan.