How to wash a sleeping bag

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How do i ensure my sleeping bag lasts for a long time?

If you have chosen a deuter sleeping bag, you will want to keep and use it for as long as possible. Proper care and storage are therefore crucial! Here we share some tips on how to store and care for your sleeping bag.

Tips for washing a sleeping bag

When caring for a sleeping bag, there are a few things to keep in mind to maximize its life. We have compiled some useful tips for washing your sleeping bag:

How often should I clean my sleeping bag

It’s a case of "less is more". Even though it’s not out of the question to wash a sleeping bag, you should try to do it as seldom as possible. Washing a sleeping bag can lead to materials sustaining damage, while incorrect washing or the wrong detergent can impact on its quality and lofting performance. 

So only wash your sleeping bag when it’s dirty or after using it at least 50 times. Spot cleaning by hand is usually sufficient to get rid of little marks, using a damp cloth and lukewarm water with a little soap. And you can get rid of any unpleasant odors by airing your sleeping bag for a few hours.

Wash sleeping bags less by using a liner or wearing technical underwear

If you use a sleeping bag regularly, then it’s impossible to avoid it being exposed to a bit of dirt or sweat. But there are ways you can help protect your sleeping bag. In an ideal world, you’d use your sleeping bag when you’re freshly showered. But seeing as that’s not usually possible when you’re camping, you could consider using a sleeping bag liner. Made from silk (or other materials), a liner will absorb perspiration and is easy to wash. It also provides added insulation. Or else, you could also wear functional or technical underwear in your sleeping bag.

Should I wash my sleeping bag before use?

As it’s not a good idea to wash a sleeping bag too often, we also recommend not washing it before using it for the first time. Before its first outing, give it a good shake and allow it to air. To do this, you can hang it outdoors for several hours, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight. You should give it its first wash after around 50 nights’ sleeping in it, or if it gets very dirty.

Can I wash my sleeping bag in the washing machine?

You should wash your sleeping bag as rarely as possible. In general, synthetic sleeping bags can be washed more often than down sleeping bags. If down is washed too often, it loses its fat layer and thus its insulating performance. However, washing your sleeping bag also has its advantages: With normal use, the sleeping bag automatically loses loft (bulking power). If the sleeping bag is washed properly, it can regain some of the bulk. We recommend that you look at the care label inside the sleeping bag before washing it. Usually it is enough to wash your sleeping bag every two to three years. Small stains and sweat residues can be removed by hand. All you need is a sponge, some washing-up liquid and lukewarm water.

Can I wash my sleeping bag at 60 degrees?

While you should never wash a down sleeping bag in a washing machine, we would also not recommend washing a synthetic sleeping bag at 60 degrees Celsius (140 F). 

It’s best to use a gentle cycle and wash your synthetic sleeping bag at no more than 30º Celsius (86ºF). And always read the care label first.

How to prepare your sleeping bag before washing

Before washing your sleeping bag, you should give it a thorough inspection for any holes, tears or other damage. Not sure how to mend your sleeping bag? Then contact the deuter repair service team. We’ll get your bag looking like new again. Once any damage has been fixed, you then need to carry our three steps before washing: 

  1. Close all hook & loop tabs, zippers and press studs. 
  2. Loosen off all drawcords. 
  3. Turn your sleeping bag inside out to wash. That way, the whole bag will be cleaned despite any water-resistant treatment.

Which washing machine setting should I use to wash a sleeping bag?

Always follow the instructions on the sewn-in care label, which can usually be found in a pocket or along the seams. Here are our tips for any case:

  • Place your sleeping bag in the washing machine (min. 5 kg capacity) – only 1 sleeping bag at a time – and add at least three tennis balls to the drum.
  • Use a technical or mild detergent to wash your sleeping bag. Attention: Do NOT use fabric softener or bleach!
  • Select a gentle wash cycle at 30 degrees. Attention: Follow the instructions on the care label of the sleeping bag!
  • After washing, run several rinse cycles so that no detergent residue remains in the sleeping bag.

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How to hand wash a down sleeping bag?

  • Fill a bathtub with enough warm water (about 30 degrees).
  • Use a technical or mild detergent to wash your sleeping bag. Attention: Do not use fabric softener or bleach!
  • Immerse the sleeping bag under water.
  • Gently massage the detergent into the sleeping bag and leave it to soak (up to one hour, depending on the degree of soiling).
  • Then rinse the sleeping bag thoroughly with cold water.
  • Gently squeeze the sleeping bag. Caution: Do not knead and wring out your sleeping bag, as this might split the seams!

How to dry a sleeping bag?

Drying a down sleeping bag: In the dryer

  • For down sleeping bags we recommend using a dryer so that the down is better distributed after washing.
  • Place the down sleeping bag in the dryer once it has drip-dried for a few hours. Do not put a soaking wet sleeping bag directly in the dryer, as this can damage it.
  • Put at least three tennis balls in the dryer with it and dry at a maximum of 30°C. This helps restore the sleeping bag's loft. Any clumps of down will loosen and become fluffy again.
  • After washing, do not iron your sleeping bag, do not steam it, and do not expose it to direct heat.

Drying a synthetic sleeping bag: in the air

  • Lay out your synthetic sleeping bag lengthways or horizontally across a stable clothes horse or clothes airer. Important: Do not hang it on one side only, or else the fill can end up unevenly distributed. Caution: Wet sleeping bags can be really heavy!
  • Dry your sleeping bag in a sheltered place in the fresh air, and out of direct sunlight.
  • Every few hours, turn the sleeping bag inside out again and give it a gentle shake, until it is dry. It can take up to 3 days for a sleeping bag to dry.

How to pack and store your sleeping bag properly after cleaning it

Looking after your sleeping bag will give it a longer life. And this applies to how you wash it as well as how you store it. Airing your sleeping bag after each use will keep it fresher smelling, and prevent any unpleasant doors from lingering. Here are some useful tips on packing and storing a sleeping bag.

In general: care instructions/washing instructions are on the care label inside your sleeping bag. You can also download the care labels for our sleeping bags in PDF format below.

Starlight & Orbit label (PDF)
Dreamlite label (PDF)

How are deuter sleeping down bags made?


Are any animals during the manufacture of deuter's down sleepinng bags? Never. Unfortunately, elsewhere some down is still sourced using live plucking techniques, which is extremely painful for the ducks and geese. That is not the case with our down feathers. And we only used down that is responsible Down Standard certified. But down comes with huge advantages: it is lightweight, extremely comfortable and very long-lasting. So to make sure you are able to buy a down sleeping bag from us with a clear consccience, we'll take you through how we make our down products. backpacks here!


Read more about the RDS