How to Wash Your Withings Cover Without Breaking the Sensor

Over months of daily use, the textile cover of your Withings Sleep Analyzer collects dust, skin cells, and allergens from under your mattress. Because the fabric sleeve houses sensitive pneumatic tubes, a fragile air bladder, and an electronic sensor module, washing the cover requires completely removing all internal hardware first.

Quick Answer

Never submerge the internal sensor assembly, pump, or air bladder in water. To wash the Withings cover, fully unzip the fabric encasement, carefully extract the electronic module and plastic air bladder, machine wash the textile sleeve on a gentle cycle in cold water, and air dry it completely before reassembling.

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Anatomical Breakdown: What Can and Cannot Get Wet

The Withings Sleep Analyzer is an assembly of medical-grade textiles, flexible polymers, and sensitive microelectronics:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ OUTER TEXTILE ENCASEMENT (WASHABLE)                    │
│   ├── Durable Polyester/Cotton Blend Shell             │
│   └── Heavy-Duty Perimeter Zipper                      │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ INTERNAL ASSEMBLY (KEEP COMPLETELY DRY)                │
│   ├── Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Air Bladder     │
│   ├── Flexible Silicone Air Delivery Tubes             │
│   └── Electronic Module (Pump, Logic Board, Sensor)    │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

• The Outer Textile Sleeve: A durable, machine-washable fabric blend designed to protect the internal bladder from mattress friction.
• The TPU Air Bladder: A heat-sealed, non-washable pneumatic cell. Moisture inside the bladder can ruin the internal pressure sensor.
• The Electronic Casing: Houses the high-precision pressure transducer, electric micro-pump, Wi-Fi radio, and logic board. Exposure to water or cleaning liquids will permanently destroy these electronics.

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Step-by-Step Hardware Removal

Rushing to remove the cover can tear the thin plastic bladder or shear the internal silicone air hoses. Follow this removal order:

Step 1: Disconnect and Clear Workspace

1. Unplug the USB power adapter from the wall outlet and disconnect the cable from your bed frame.
2. Remove the mat from under your mattress and place it on a clean, flat table or hard floor.
3. Inspect the external power cable for any existing frame wear or fraying; if the jacket is damaged, see Frayed USB Cable? How to Replace Your Withings Power Cord.

Step 2: Unzip the Encasement

1. Locate the zipper slider along the perimeter seam of the textile sleeve.
2. Slowly unzip the sleeve end-to-end. If the zipper snags, gently back it up; do not force it, as it can snag and tear the clear TPU bladder inside.

Step 3: Extract the Electronics and Bladder

1. Grip the rigid plastic housing where the power cable attaches. Gently slide it out of its textile pocket.
2. Slowly draw the clear TPU bladder out of the sleeve. The bladder material is thin and can stick slightly to the fabric interior. Peel it away gradually without stretching or pulling the welded perimeter seams.
3. Set the bladder, tubing, and electronics module aside in a dry, safe area away from children, pets, and sharp objects.

       [Unzip Cover]
             │
             ▼
[Slide Out Plastic Module] ──> Peel TPU Bladder Gently from Fabric
                                           │
                                           ▼
                                 [Place Assembly in Safe, Dry Area]

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Washing and Drying the Fabric Sleeve

Once all hardware is removed, clean the textile sleeve using these guidelines:

Cleaning Parameter	Safe Setting	Danger / Avoid
Machine Cycle	Delicate / Gentle / Hand-wash setting	Heavy-duty, sanitary, or high-spin cycles
Water Temperature	Cold (below 85°F / 30°C)	Hot water (shrinks fabric and misaligns internal pockets)
Detergent	Mild, liquid laundry detergent	Bleach, fabric softeners, or harsh stain removers
Drying Method	Air dry flat or hang on a clothesline	Tumble drying, radiator heat, or clothes irons

Washing Instructions:

1. Close the zipper halfway before placing the sleeve in the washing machine to keep the teeth from snagging on the fabric.
2. Place the sleeve inside a mesh laundry bag for extra protection during the wash cycle.
3. Wash with like colors on a gentle, cold-water setting.

Drying Instructions:

• Do not put the cover in a clothes dryer. High heat will shrink the polyester weave. If the cover shrinks even 5%, the internal air bladder will bunch inside the sleeve, creating sensor dead spots and tracking errors.
• Lay the sleeve flat on a clean drying rack or dry towel.
• Ensure the cover is 100% dry before reinserting the electronics. Trapping moisture inside the closed sleeve with the TPU bladder can corrode the electronics and cause sensor failure.

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Reassembly and Placement

Once the sleeve is completely dry, carefully reinstall the internal components:

1. Lay the empty fabric sleeve flat on a table with the zipper fully open.
2. Slide the clear TPU bladder into the sleeve, feeding it flat toward the far corners. Ensure there are no folds, twists, or bunched areas.
3. Seat the rigid electronics housing squarely into its dedicated pocket at the end of the sleeve, with the air intake port facing its opening.
4. Carefully zip the sleeve closed, guiding the zipper teeth with your fingers to ensure you do not pinch the TPU bladder.
5. Reinstall the mat under your mattress, positioning it directly beneath your chest. If you use a slatted frame, check Slatted Bed Frame Problems: How to Get Better Withings Sleep Data to verify your base support.
6. Plug the USB cable back into the wall outlet and allow the device to complete its 10-minute zero-weight calibration cycle without touching the bed.