Duvet back from launderette not smelling like its been cleaned

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

I put a king size duvet into a cleaners/launderette on Monday that I haven't used before. I paid 16.50 and they told me it would be ready in a week cos they had loads to do. Fair enough, I don't need it in this weather so no rush. Then I get a message on the ansaphone this morning to ask if I can come and collect it as they need the space etc

I get it home and took it out the bag and it smells no different to how it was when I left it with them. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't minging or anything but it probably had a slightly "used", stale kind of smell, I guess.

When I've had them washed in the past they come back very slightly damp and smelling of washing powder. What's everyone else's experiences?

I feel I've been ripped off!

Sorry to be clear, it was the launderette that I hadn't used before, not the duvet!!

Is it tagged?

If not, I'd presume it hasn't been washed, I think.

Yes, it's tagged. Really it would have been cheaper to buy a new one but that's not very Eco-friendly, is it?

Hmm.. I think I'd call anyway.

If they have forgotten to wash it, they need to do it or refund you.

If they haven't, you probably wouldn't use them again because it's clearly not right, so you've got nothing to lose.

I probably would have nought a new one and donated ours to an animal charity though, it seems easier!

I think it's worth complaining but I don't think you can complain that it's not damp. I'd expect it to be dry but clean smelling. I don't think it's very fair of them to tell you it will take a week and then ask you to collect it 2 days later. They could have just informed you it was done so you could collect it earlier if you wanted to.

I just take mine to the launderette and wash them, then tumble dry them or bring them to dry at home. In my local launderette, the big machine for a kingsize one would cost £6 plus maybe £2 if you tumble dry it.

Yes , I'll have to give them a ring in the morning I think, and see what they say. Just seems odd that they said at first they were snowed under so to give it a week and then suddenly 48 hrs later: "please come and collect it."

Jan49: I've never in my life used a launderette as always had access to mum's or my own washing machine (apart from service wash of previous duvets at a launderette that has closed down). Is it easy to look like you know what you're doing/ know the etiquette if there's a queue? (Remembering an early episode of Friends where Rachel nearly got into a fight with someone over a launderette machine!)

LOL at using 'Friends' as a way of learning how to use a launderette!

Unless it's really busy, you just go up to a free machine and use it. If there's anyone else there, you can usually find someone to help you work out what coins you need. where to put the powder and how long the wash takes. If it's a launderette that does self service and service washes, the staff can advise you. You don't need to look like you know what you're doing. In fact people are often helpful if you're fairly helpless. I think most launderettes have a lot of machines that are a bit bigger than household ones and a few that are a lot bigger (and cost more) and you need the bigger ones for a kingsize duvet.

I bet Rachel didn't ever wash her king size duvet anyway - she would have just gone out and bought a new one.

Thanks for your advice, Jan - very helpful. I'm going to ring the cleaners in the morning and double check if it was actually washed - it didn't look dirty so maybe if they had loads of them to do it just got mixed up somehow.....

And next time I wil find a launderette and do it myself! (Although most closed down near me now....)