Washing a sleeping bag, jacket, or shirt made of natural insulation isn't rocket science!
With the right instructions, they can be easily washed in the washing machine and then dried without any problems. However, cleaning instructions may vary depending on the material.

Washing Grüezi bag sleeping bags and blankets with AlmWolle:

Wash

• The washing instructions are in the inside pocket of the sleeping bag.
• The sleeping bag can be washed by hand with a wool detergent (without protease) at a maximum of 30°C/86°F or in the washing machine on the wool cycle. Please turn inside out, zip up, run an additional rinse cycle, and do not use fabric softener.
• Remove the item from the washing machine, loosen it up a bit and then spin it gently (max. 600 revolutions)!

Dry

• On sunny days, you can place the sleeping bag on a clothes rack to allow air to reach the top and bottom of the bag. Please allow plenty of time for the sleeping bag to dry.

Tip:

• When you first unpack your sleeping bag, it needs some time to fluff up. If you iron it loosely with a steam iron on the silk setting before first use, the wool will fluff up faster and the bag will be able to regulate its temperature better.

 

Washing Grüezi bag sleeping bags, duvets and jackets with DownWool®:

A key factor in maintaining down's loft is proper care and storage. Because that's the point: the world's lightest natural insulation material can only insulate when lofted. This loft is destroyed by washing at too high a temperature, using the wrong detergent, spinning too vigorously, or drying too quickly.

But don't worry: If you choose a great down product, you will be rewarded with a long lifespan if you remember the following points:

Wash

• Pay attention to the washing and care instructions; depending on the product, they are located in the inside pocket of the sleeping bag/jacket or on the hem of the duvet.
• Please turn the jacket/sleeping bag inside out and close any zippers.
• Please use a down detergent, not too hot water, and never fabric softener. You can also wash in the washing machine on the wool cycle at a maximum of 30°C/86°F. And run an additional rinse cycle to rinse out any detergent residue.
• Please only spin gently, as wet down doesn't want to be compressed too much. Carefully remove the item from the machine, fluff it up a bit, and then spin it again at a maximum of 600 rpm.

Dry

• Carefully remove the wet down product from the washing machine and tumble dry it, preferably at low temperatures (max. 60°C/140°F). Be sure to add 2-3 tennis balls to help fluff the down.
• The gentle spin cycle results in more water in the filling. Please run the dryer several times. After each cycle, remove the item from the dryer, shake or fluff it well, and let it cool in between.
• The dryer must be set to a timer program to dry the down completely.
• If you don't use a dryer, you can place your sleeping bag/duvet/jacket on a clothes rack on sunny days to allow air to reach the garment from above and below. Please gently and frequently shake it by hand to prevent the down from sticking together (especially at the collar or hem).

• When is the drying process completed?
• If the item still does not have its original thickness, the drying processes must be repeated until the sleeping bag feels more filled than before.
• Depending on the water resistance of the outer material, the drying process can take different lengths of time (at least 2 days, depending on the dryer model).
• The down must be completely dry. If the sleeping bag or jacket isn't properly dried and fluffed, there's a risk that the down feathers will clump together. This will damage the item beyond repair. Damp down can develop an odor, which will dissipate once it's dry.

Washing Grüezi bag sleeping bags: synthetic fiber

Wash

• The washing instructions are in the inside pocket of the sleeping bag.
• Your item can be washed by hand with a liquid mild detergent at max. 30 °C/86 °F or in the washing machine on a gentle cycle.
• Please turn inside out, close the zipper, run an additional rinse cycle and do not use fabric softener.
• Remove the item from the washing machine, loosen it up a bit and then spin it gently (max. 600 revolutions)!

Dry

• On sunny days, you can place the sleeping bag on a clothes rack to allow air to reach the top and bottom of the bag. Please allow plenty of time for the sleeping bag to dry.

 Tip:

• If washed too hot, the sleeping bag loses its loft and therefore its insulation.

• When the sleeping bag is unpacked for the first time, it needs some time to become fluffy.

 

Tip for all sleeping bags

• Airing a sleeping bag is better than washing it. For minor external soiling, we recommend gently cleaning the stain itself (see above). Greasy sleeping bags and those with extensive soiling can be machine washed.
• Worried about the waterproofing wearing off after washing? Don't worry, Grüezi bag products are treated with a long-lasting, bio-based waterproofing treatment. The waterproofing is reactivated with heat (using a dryer or iron).
• If the sleeping bag is washed too hot, prints will peel off.
• Normal powder detergents usually contain abrasives that can damage the outer fabric.
• Do not overfill the washing machine or only use a large drum to prevent the down from becoming stuffed.
• Excessive spin speeds will strain the seams and filling and may even cause them to tear!
• For sleeping bags and blankets with an integrated carbon heating element: The heating element is washable and can be washed with the sleeping bag.

Storage tips

• All sleeping bags should be dried from time to time or after each trip to remove excess moisture.
• Sleeping bags must be stored open and dry in the storage bag.
• When packing into the compression bag, the sleeping bag must be carefully stuffed with the foot end first, not rolled or folded.

Washing Grüezi bag WoodWool shirts and liners:

Wash

• Wash your wool garments and liners at 30°C (86°F) on the wool cycle of your washing machine – and only with wool detergent without protease.
• Do not wash your wool shirts and WoodWool liners with garments that have zippers, Velcro, or hooks. It's best to use a laundry bag to protect the fibers.
• Only fill the washing machine halfway and select a low spin speed .
• Do not put it in the dryer and do not wring it out – this will prevent the wool from felting.
• For stains (e.g., deodorant residue or cream): Gently knead the stain with diluted wool detergent , then wash as usual. Do not rub !

Dry

• After washing, carefully pull the damp shirt and liner into shape in length and width.
• Let them air dry lying down on a clothes rack – not hanging, not on the radiator, and not in direct sunlight.

storage

• Wool is a natural material—and therefore susceptible to clothes moths . Store rarely worn items in tightly sealed garment bags , preferably after cleaning .
• Scented sachets (e.g. with lavender or cedarwood) also help to keep moths away.
• Fly screens on windows and doors prevent moths from entering the house.

Tips for everyday life:

• Wet wool is delicate . Don't wear wet wool shirts directly under your backpack – otherwise, friction can cause holes.
• Airing instead of washing : Wool doesn't need to be washed often. Usually, simply airing the shirt or the lining thoroughly is sufficient—because wool is naturally odor-inhibiting and dirt-repellent.
• Pilling is normal : Our WoodWool shirts produce fewer small pills than pure Merino wool. However, it can still occur in areas exposed to wear (e.g., backpack straps or waistbands)—it's simply a natural part of natural fibers.

Washing Grüezi bag SilkWool jackets:

Wash

• The washing instructions are in the inside pocket of the jacket.
• The jacket can be hand washed with a wool detergent at a maximum of 30°C/86°F. Please turn inside out, zip up, and run an additional rinse cycle.
• Do not use fabric softener and only wring out lightly at the end.

Dry

• On sunny days, you can place the jacket on a clothes rack to allow air to reach the jacket from above and below. Please allow the jacket to dry thoroughly.

 

Tip for jackets and shirts:

• Airing is better than washing. Wool products rarely need to be washed, as wool itself has natural odor-inhibiting and dirt-repellent properties. For minor external soiling, we recommend gently cleaning only the stain itself (see above). Jackets with greasy or extensive soiling can be hand-washed.

 

Our tips:

• Traveling with a tent or small luggage? Wool products are ideal because they rarely need washing. If you do need to wash them, a sink or bag can be used to soak your Grüezi bag shirt or jacket with the appropriate detergent and then rinse it with fresh water. Many customers even tell us that they simply rinse their shirt with water in the evening to wear a fresh-smelling shirt the next day!
• Wool detergent without protease helps to preserve the fiber structure of wool and the shirt stays beautiful for a long time.
• Please do not add items with zippers or rivets to wool products in the same washing machine load. The friction during the washing process can cause holes in delicate, wet wool garments.