Do down and feather duvets always smell when new?

Question

I've just had my new feather duvet delivered and on unpacking it was taken aback by the vile smell of it, like a really strong chemically/plastic smell. Is this normal or is there something wrong with it?

Answer 1

Nope, perfectly normal, the smell should go pretty quickly. if you want it to go quicker take it to a dry cleaner who will wash it in water for you with fabric softner and then dry it for you too, then it will smell lovely. You should do this at least once a year anyway.

Answer 2

The plastic smell might be from the bag! Get thee some Febreeze and hang that duvet out to air (inside, though, any dampness would be bad). If it still smells, it's the duvet. And they shouldn't smell. So I'd think about getting a refund.

Answer 3

Hi,

We bought a duck feather duvet a couple of months ago, and it smelt horrible when we first used it. It took about a month for it to stop, I hung it out on the line as often as the weather would allow to give it an airing and it's fine now. I never needed to wash it.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 4

I just throw it in a washing machine. With a little detergent. My comforter is king sized...If you are worried take it to the laudromat and use the double capacity front loaders and use only a little soap. It should come out fresh... I have a comforter that's about 4 yrs. old and I wash it once a month in a top loading, extra large capacity washing machine.... Down shrinks down a lot... I also dry it with tennis balls to keep it fluffy.... Buy a Duvet cover....

Answer 5

We bought a new one this fall; it doesn't smell. I suspect they took a shortcut in cleaning the feathers before making the duvet. I would take it back.

Answer 6

They are sprayed to keep them from getting mouldy in transit- not something you need to worry about once you get it home.
Just hang it somewhere airy for a while and it should be fine.
If not, by all means return it- it's possible they've overdone it a bit.

Answer 7

Hang it on a line outside if passable to get some air in it