How to get a persistent stale smell out of second hand duvet cover?!?!

[ChocFridgeCake]

I have bought a duvet cover off ebay, to cut up to use for patchwork.

It was described as little used and freshly washed and dried.

I'm sure it was probably washed clean enough but as soon as I pulled it out of the packing the smell hit me - a sort of stale, greasy smell (a bit like old pillows with hair grease on them, ew).

I washed it on 50 degrees using Fairy powder and conditioner and a dose of Oxy and it still smelled.

I then washed it again on 90 degrees with three doses of biological detergent and it STILl smells! Obviously its clean but the darn smell is lingering!

I hung it out to dry over the bannister and the smell pervades the stairs to the extent my DH noticed it (unusually for him!)

What else can I try?! Suggestions welcomed!

Bump... anyone? c'mon I know there's one of you out there with a handy hint

OKaaaay, you can all stop posting now

For those who want to know apparently bicarbonate of soda works (a spoon or two in the powder dispenser along with normal powder), as does white wine vinegar (also put into the washing machine). Drying it outside in the sun should also help.

I am currently trying bicarb of soda cos that's what I have in.

I will let you know if it works or not cos I'm sure you're dying to know

Dry it outside too if you can. Makes the world of difference.

ew wonder what made it smell so much?
If the smell doesnt shift I would do another boil wash with bio powder, vanish oxy and a couple tablesopoons of bleach added as a last resort

Thanks SoupDragon and redsock!

Well, it was either the bicarb of soda or hanging on the line or both, BUT the smell has gone, I'm pleased to say!

I can't for the life of me work out what it was and why it was so lingering.

anyway, it is now fresh as a daisy, ironed and cut up ready for patchworking

hanging on line does give stuff a nice freshness, it was prob that