Your sleeping bag keeps you warm overnight in your tent or even under the stars. In return, you need to follow a few basic rules when it comes to looking after it. These include, for example, the technique of packing your sleeping bag away and airing it beforehand. We also explain the best way to store your essential travel companion.

• Before packing it away: air your sleeping bag after every use
• Packing away your sleeping bag: roll or stuff?
• Never store your sleeping bag in its stuff sack
• Storing your sleeping bag between travels

Even when it is cold, people sweat at night. That can soon lead to unpleasant smells. We therefore recommend using a liner or wearing functional underwear. That way you protect your sleeping bag from sweat and dirt. Even so, it is still necessary to shake out and air your sleeping bag regularly - after every use. Find a dry place, such as a branch, a car door or your tent. Then turn your sleeping bag inside out and open it up.

Did you know? The loop at the foot of the sleeping bag can be used to hang it up.

Out of habit, you tend to roll up your sleeping bag and put it in its stuff sack - after all, this makes it neater and more compact. Here, however, it’s fair to say: you can stuff it! This method is good for the material of both synthetic fibre and down sleeping bags. When a sleeping bag is rolled up, the fibres always get bent in the same places. This means the material loses thickness and insulation capacity. Moreover, rolling up can damage the zip. That’s why you should unzip your sleeping bag before packing it away.

Once you’ve had a relaxing shower at the end of your trip, you may wonder whether your sleeping bag needs one too? A sleeping bag should be washed as seldom as possible but as often as necessary. If you decide to put it through your washing machine, you should check the precise washing instructions on the label. We also give you tips to ensure that you don’t cause any damage by washing your sleeping bag.