Sleeping Bags

• How do I pack my sleeping bag away?
• Do I need to wash my sleeping bag after every use?
• How do I air out my sleeping bag?
• Which care products should I use for my sleeping bag?
• How do I wash my sleeping bag?
• How do I dry my sleeping bag after washing?
• How and where do I store my sleeping bag?
• How often should a sleeping bag be washed?

• How do I pack my sleeping bag away?

  If you pack your sleeping bag in the storage bag provided, you should insert it bottom end (feet area) first. This will make it easier for you and is also the best way for the filling materials in the the sleeping bag to be stored.

• Do I need to wash my sleeping bag after every use?

  No.
  The less often you have to wash your sleeping bag, the longer the insulating properties will be maintained.

  Inlet
  A cotton or silk liner will delay washing the entire sleeping bag, as it protects the inside of the bag from dirt, is easy to care for and can be washed quickly when you’re out and about. The thermal insulation of the sleeping bag is also slightly increased as a result of this.

  Smaller, superficial dirt can be removed easily with a damp cloth. The entire sleeping bag should be cleaned after 40 to 50 night’s use (less often if using a liner). This is best done by hand or with your own, domestic washing machine.

  Please refer to the care instructions before washing and drying.

• How do I air out my sleeping bag?

  We recommend you turn your sleeping bag inside out after each night’s use and air it thoroughly.
  A sleeping bag that is still wet should never be packed into its storage bag for longer than the following day.

• Which care products should I use for my sleeping bag?

  With the UNIVERSAL CLEANER PLUS (artificial fibre) or the UNIVERSAL DOWN CLEANER (down and down/artificial fibre blends), JACK WOLFSKIN offers detergents specifically made for cleaning down or synthetic fibre-filled products, as all insulation linings are sensitive.
  Using the wrong detergent (including conventional liquid or wool detergent) can destroy the filling performance of the insulation, making the down product unusable.

• How do I wash my sleeping bag?

  Hand wash:
  The most gentle way to clean your sleeping bag is in the bathtub. Soak the sleeping bag in lukewarm water (about 30 ° C) and UNIVERSAL CLEANER PLUS or UNIVERSAL DOWN CLEANER (2 caps). Do not wring or scrub under any circumstances. If soiled heavily, repeat the wash cycle with fresh detergent. Then thoroughly rinse the sleeping bag several times and squeeze out gently afterwards.

  Machine washing:
  The machine must have a large drum with a capacity of at least 8, ideally up to 12 kg, and the sleeping bag must fit inside without being squashed. The best appliances for this can be found in launderettes.Then thoroughly rinse the sleeping bag with 2 to 3 cycles and finally spin on a short, slow spin cycle. The more gentle and sleeping bag-friendly method is simply to hand wash.

  Before washing:
  Close all zip and Velcro fasteners and remove any residue in the washing machine's detergent compartment. Put UNIVERSAL CLEANER PLUS or UNIVERSAL DOWN CLEANER (2 Verschlusskappen) into the detergent draw. Do not use fabric softeners. Use a gentle/wool cycle at 30 °C.

• How do I dry my sleeping bag after washing?

  Drying in fresh air:
  Carefully lift the wet item from the tub. It will weigh many times its own weight due to the soaked filling, thereby increasing the risk of the seams ripping. The product should therefore be laid out flat to dry rather than being hung up.

  Down clumps together when wet. This means that it should be squeezed out hourly at first during the drying process (which can take up to three days depending on the temperature and filling weight) and then shaken out two to three times daily in order to redistribute the down evenly within the chambers. The down product is only dry when no more clumps or lumps can be felt.

  Tumble dryer:
  Drying in a tumble dryer takes 2 to 4 hours. The sleeping bag must fit in the drum (drum size min. 8 kg) without being squashed. Set the dryer at a medium heat, max. 40 °C. Placing 5 or 6 clean tennis balls in the dryer when drying has the same effect as shaking your product out rigorously (every 10 minutes).

• How and where do I store my sleeping bag?

  Never store your sleeping bag compressed in a pack sack for extended periods of time, but rather loosely packed or hung on a hanger. A large air-permeable bag, e.g a pillowcase, can be used. Store the sleeping bag in a dry room.

• How often should a sleeping bag be washed?

  Basically, you can wash any sleeping bag. Nevertheless, we would recommend washing a sleeping bag as little as possible, i.e. only when it is really dirty. Why? Frequent washing or washing a sleeping bag incorrectly may result in damage to the material, meaning that the sleeping bag will lose its loft. It is not advisable to wash a new sleeping bag. This is not normally necessary and may even lead to the sleeping bag getting its first flaw.

  Even if your sleeping bag has small stains or smells musty, this still does not mean it needs a thorough wash. First of all, try getting rid of the stains using a sponge, lukewarm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid.

  It helps to hang it out to air on a regular basis, in order to prevent the build-up of any unpleasant odours. Undo the zip of the sleeping bag and hang it out in a dry place as often as possible. Avoid direct sunlight, as the UV rays may damage the material. Hang the sleeping bag on the outside of the tent when you get up in the morning, or hang it over an opened car door.
  If you find that you cannot get rid of the stains or odours by these means, then it is advisable to wash the sleeping bag with a special care product. It is generally recommended that sleeping bags are washed after they have been slept in for 50 to 60 nights. If you wear long pyjamas or the sleeping bag has a washable liner (a thin inner sleeping bag) made of ticking, you can delay washing a sleeping bag even longer.

  Washing a sleeping bag: synthetic fibre or down?

  Coming back to the core question How do I wash my sleeping bag correctly? The answer depends on what kind of sleeping bag you have in the first place: a sleeping bag made from synthetic materials is significantly easier to clean than a down sleeping bag because the material is less delicate. Check the care label inside the sleeping bag first of all. You will then know whether you can put your sleeping bag in the washing machine, what programme you should choose, and the maximum temperature.

  Nevertheless, generally speaking you should proceed as follows when washing a sleeping bag made from synthetic materials:

  • Fasten all buttons, zips and Velcro fastenings.
  • Check to see whether the sleeping bags has any tears or any other damage and get these repaired before washing it.
  • Open the drawstrings if necessary.
  • Turn the sleeping bag inside out. This will keep the outer material in better shape.
  • The washing machine will need to have a capacity of at least 8 kilos.
  • Select a programme for delicates and set the temperature at 30 degrees.
  • Choose a short spin.
  • Use a mild detergent or a detergent specifically geared towards functional wear.
  • Do not use a fabric softener or bleach!

  The procedure is different for down-filled sleeping bags. Hand-washing is advisable in this case. The easy way to wash a down-filled sleeping bag:

  • Fasten all buttons, zips and Velcro fastenings.
  • Check to see whether the sleeping bags has any tears or any other damage and get these repaired before washing it.
  • Open the drawstrings if necessary.
  • Turn the sleeping bag inside out. This will keep the outer material in better shape.
  • Fill the bath with lukewarm water.
  • Completely immerse the sleeping bag in water until the material has become saturated.
  • Use a detergent specifically for down-filled products.
  • Do not use a fabric softener or bleach!
  • Carefully massage in the detergent. Make sure that you do not knead the sleeping bag too heavily, nor wring it out too much, as you may tear the seams.
  • Let the sleeping bag soak for between 30 minutes to one hour.
  • Then let the water drain and rinse the sleeping bag several times until there are no longer any suds from the detergent.
  • Gently squeeze out the water from the sleeping bag.

  Drying a sleeping bag

  Open up the sleeping bag and hang it over a clothes horse to dry. Do not hang up the sleeping bag on a washing line. You may damage the outer material and seams! Leave the sleeping bag to dry in the fresh air for several hours at least - better still, leave it to dry for a day. You can then put it in a tumble dryer insofar as it has a capacity for at least eight kilos. Then proceed as follows:

  • Select a washing programme for delicates.
  • The temperature should not exceed 40 degrees (read the care label!).
  • Put three clean tennis balls into the tumble dryer. These will loosen up the filling – especially in down-filled sleeping bags – and will give it back its loft.

  Storing a sleeping bag correctly

  The following tips on how to store a sleeping bag will ensure that your sleeping bag will last for years.

  • Only pack your sleeping bag into your stuff sack if it is completely clean and dry.
  • When you pack your sleeping bag – stuff it in, don’t roll it up! This is more gentle for both synthetic fabrics as well as for down-filled sleeping bags.
  • Take the sleeping bag out of the stuff sack at home and store it in a bigger bag. The sleeping bag will retain its loft for longer.