Smelly duvet anyone?

[jessicama]

Just bought a new duck feather and down duvet. On the box the manufacturer recommends giving it a machine wash before first use - which I wouldn’t automatically do, but was working from home today so thought why not.

Anyway - I stuck it in a delicate wash at 40 degrees with some non bio liquid... and it came out 1 hr 30 later absolutely stinking! I guess kind of farmyardy...

Since then I’ve stuck it through a rinse and another wash, which has definitely improved the strength of the smell... but it’s still lingering.

I know it might improve through drying, but also not liking the idea of sticking it in the tumble drier in case the smell lingers...

Anyone had any experience of this? My old duvet was also down and never smelt!

I've had duck feather duvets that needed airing for a few days before use. But machine washing a brand new duvet?! That surely destroys the texture?

A new duvet shouldn't need washing.

I’m now kicking myself for doing it - I wasn’t aware of any smell before it went in, but now I can’t ignore it!

Oh, if it didn't smell before then it probably won't once it dries. You need to make sure it dries fully though, if it stays damp for too long that in itself will make it smell.

I still think it's crazy manufacturers advice!

Wet feathers always smell horrible. I would let it dry and see how it smells then. I wouldn't have thought it would affect your tumble drier smell-wise.

Do they? Okay that’s kinda reassuring... I think I’ve got it in my head that the feathers
must be dirty and I don’t want that transferring to clean towels etc that go in the tumble after (although typing that out I see that sounds a bit irrational!)

Wet feathers always stink. You need to tumble dry it. Make sure not on a too hot setting, add some dryer balls in. I set mine to extra dry. Let it air for an hour and repeat the drying cycle.

The smell definitely goes away when you dry it.