You love snuggling into your luxuriously soft and warm down comforter at night. But lately when you climb into bed, you get a whiff of something funky that reminds you of a wet dog. Yuck! What’s going on with your comforter?
This offensive odor can quickly diminish the cozy comfort you expect from your bedding. But don’t worry – with some targeted cleaning, preventive care, and odor elimination tricks, you can get your down-filled bedding fresh as a daisy again.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore:
- Common causes of smells in down comforters
- Cleaning methods to remove odors from down
- Preventive measures to stop future smells
- Special considerations for stubborn smells
Follow these tips, and you’ll be snoozing in sweet-smelling sheets in no time!
Why Does My Down Comforter Smell Bad?
Before discussing solutions, let’s look at some of the common culprits behind stinky down comforters:
1. Body Oils and Sweat
Down naturally absorbs moisture extremely well. That wonderful trait also makes it prone to trapping body oils, sweat, and moisture against your body while you sleep.
Over time, these accumulate and can lead to sour odors. The heat generated underneath can also accelerate odor growth.
2. Mildew and Moisture Buildup
If moisture gets trapped in the down filling from washing or storage in humid environments, it can set the stage for mildew growth.
Mildew has a distinctly unpleasant musty or sour smell. Once present, the spores multiply rapidly with additional moisture and heat.
3. Pet Dander and Odors
Do you allow pets to snuggle under the covers with you? Their dander and natural odors easily transfer to the down material.
Cats and dogs also tend to carry higher amounts of mildew spores on their fur. So allowing them on your bedding accelerates contamination.
Now that you know where the smells come from, let’s get rid of them!
Cleaning a Stinky Down Comforter
Regular cleaning is crucial for combatting odors and keeping your comforter fresh. Follow these methods to wash or dry clean your bedding at home.
Washing a Down Comforter
Home washing is an effective cleaning method for down comforters if done properly. The key is gentle agitation with mild detergent to avoid damage.
- Use a front loading washing machine for best results
- Choose a mild powder laundry detergent like Ecos or other plant-based option
- Add 1⁄2 cup white vinegar to the drum
- Select the delicate or gentle/slow cycle setting
- Maximum water temperature 105°F/40°C
- Rinse with an extra cold water cycle
- Low heat tumble dry, removing promptly when still slightly damp
- Repeat cycle if odors still present after initial wash
Pros
- Thorough deep cleaning
- Removes body oils/sweat
- Eliminates odors
- Sanitizes with vinegar
- Freshens down filling
Cons
- Can damage down if washed improperly
- Requires large capacity machines
- Takes time to wash/dry properly
Follow these best practices, and washing at home is usually safe and effective for typical odor issues.
Dry Cleaning a Down Comforter
Home dry cleaning kits provide a convenient cleaning method without the intensity of full immersion washing. This helps maintain the loft and prevent damage.
To dry clean at home:
- Vacuum surface debris first
- Pre-treat any visible stains
- Place comforter in large dry cleaning bag
- Follow instructions to add cleaning solvent to the bag
- Massage the down filling for 5-10 minutes
- Follow drying recommendations before reuse
This liberates dirt, body oils, and debris from the down to revitalize comforters between deep cleaning washes.
Pros
- Less damaging to delicate down filling
- Removes surface level odors/oils/dirt
- More convenient than washing machines
- No intense agitation of down
Cons
- Doesn’t fully sanitize down
- Can leave residue if not rinsed properly
- Not as deep cleaning for severe odors
- Solvents can be harsh
Other Odor Removal Tricks
Some additional tricks using natural ingredients can help tackle smelly down:
- White vinegar – Add 1 cup to washing machine drum or wet down filling directly to eliminate odors
- Borax – Helps kill mold and lingering odors; add 1⁄2 cup to wash cycle
- Enzyme cleaners – Break down organic matter causing odors
- Baking soda – Sprinkle surface before dry cleaning to lift odors
- Lemon juice – Wet down with mixture of lemon juice and water, then rinse clean
- Vodka – Lightly spritz vodka over down then let air dry to sanitize
- Sunshine – Hang comforter outdoors in sunny spot to let UV rays deodorize
Preventing Odors in Down Comforters
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to keeping your comforter fresh long-term. Follow these care tips:
1. Allow Proper Air Circulation
Give your comforter a chance to air out after washing and drying fully before storage or bedding reuse. Trapped moisture and heat are enemies of fresh down.
2. Store Properly Between Uses
Choose breathable storage options like cotton sacks or mesh laundry bags. Avoid plastic containers or wrapping plastic around comforters which traps moisture and gases.
3. Wash Bedding Frequently
Target washing down comforters at least 2 times per year. For bedding used more heavily, increase washing frequency accordingly.
4. Cleanliness Helps
Wash sheets below down comforters weekly and keep pets off beds to prevent transfer of oils, dander, mildew, etc.
5. Spot Clean Promptly
Don’t let spills, pet accidents, or other problem areas sit – spot treat stains immediately with stain remover and wash as soon as possible.
Special Considerations for Stubborn Down Comforter Smells
Sometimes an extra odor assault is needed to combat ingredients cases of smells lingering in down bedding.
Consider the following heavy duty tactics:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Pet urine or feces accidents | – Enzyme cleaner pre-treatment – Vinegar or vodka rinse – Extra wash cycle – Consider professional cleaning |
| Smoke or chemical odors | – Baking soda rubdown before washing – White vinegar soak before washing – May require repeat washing |
| Mildew contamination | – Borax soak before washing – Hot 110°F+ wash cycle – Repeat wash cycle – Consider professional cleaning |
| Multiple wash cycles failing | – Professional dry cleaning – Consider replacing comforter |
For severe mildew growth, smoke damage, or very old down comforters, specialized professional cleaning or even replacing bedding may be the safest bet for odor removal.
Takeaways on Freshening Down Comforters
Caring for your down-filled bedding doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these simple principles:
- Clean comforters twice yearly at minimum
- Choose home washing or dry cleaning methods
- Allow proper drying and air circulation
- Store in breathable fabrics, avoid plastic wrapping
- Spot treat stains quickly
- Consider vinegar for odor removal
- Watch for signs of moisture damage or mildew
- Repeat cleaning cycles as needed based on use
- Seek professional help for severe contamination
Frequency Asked Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about smelly down comforters:
Can I use bleach or Oxiclean to clean my down comforter?
No, avoid using harsh cleaners like bleach, Oxiclean, or detergents with brightening agents. These can damage delicate down fibers over time. Stick to mild plant-based detergents.
What temperature water is safe for washing down?
Use a maximum temperature of 105°F/40°C for the wash cycle. Rinse with cool water. High heat can melt down fibers decreasing warmth over time.
My comforter got soaked in the rain. How do I dry it fully before mildew sets in?
Lay it flat, use a fan to circulate air, and sprinkle baking soda lightly between the down. Change out the soda twice daily. Thoroughly dry within 12-24 hours if possible.
No matter what I try my comforter still smells musty. Should I just replace it?
If you’ve tried repeated home cleaning methods with no success, then it may be time to replace a heavily contaminated down comforter. Severe mildew can be difficult to fully eliminate.
What’s the best home dry cleaning solvent option for down?
See which cleaners are sold for down and avoid anything with “perc” or perchloroethylene. This chemical can leave harmful residue over time. Silicone-based solvents are gentler options.
