Ideas? How to Clean A Real Mess on Down Comforter?

[OceanAnnie]

I had a sick child vomit all over our nice down comforter. I rinsed off the large areas as best I could. It just permeated the thing. I'm thinking I'll have to wash it with Woolite or something. I *know* it will not be the same after that.
But what else can you do? It was a soaking mess, before I rinsed it. Ugh.

I loved that comforter.

Any ideas?

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I had a sick child vomit all over our nice down comforter. I rinsed off the large areas as best I could. It just permeated the thing. I'm thinking I'll have to wash it with Woolite or something. I *know* it will not be the same after that.
But what else can you do? It was a soaking mess, before I rinsed it. Ugh.

I loved that comforter.

Any ideas?

You really should have it cleaned at the dry cleaner.

My ex-roommate's dog *went* on mine in a couple of places and I had to have it cleaned. Granted, it did stain, but the smell and foulness was gone. It was more expensive than I thought though, but it was worth it.

I did have to buy a new duvet for it though...

 

[OceanAnnie]

You really should have it cleaned at the dry cleaner.

My ex-roommate's dog *went* on mine in a couple of places and I had to have it cleaned. Granted, it did stain, but the smell and foulness was gone. It was more expensive than I thought though, but it was worth it.

I did have to buy a new duvet for it though...

Thanks, I did think of doing that, but I was wondering if the dry cleaning solution would go that deep into the layers. It was really bad.

 

[java]

I would suggest going to a laundromat to use the huge machines. And be sure to dry it completely! They say tennis balls in the dryer work, I've done that at home but not at a laundromat. I've washed one with success. They even make a down detergent now,although I don't recall where I saw it.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

That stinks! (pardon the pun...)

The dry cleaner did a really good job on my comforter... most of the issues I had with mine was urine...

Stupid dog...

 

[golfgal]

I just throw ours in the washing machine at home. Have been doing this for years with no problems at all. The feathers smell when they are wet but are fine when they dry. Keep in mind that manufacturers only have to put ONE washing method on a tag.

 

[Kellydelly]

I put my down comforter right in the washer and dryer. It isn't a fancy one, though. If your's isn't a king-size I would try washing it (mine is queen). I wouldn't take it to be dry-cleaned.

 

[dis-happy]

Mine is king sized and I wash it regularly with no problems (>15 years old too). Just toss it in the machine at home. It does take a long time to dry though. As long as it has baffles to keep the down in place you should be okay.

 

[Carina]

I tried tennis balls in the dryer once....hot rubber P.U.

 

[golfgal]

Mine is king sized and I wash it regularly with no problems (>15 years old too). Just toss it in the machine at home. It does take a long time to dry though. As long as it has baffles to keep the down in place you should be okay.

Same here-I put a tennis shoe or something in the dryer with the comforter and it helps keep it from getting bunched up and dries faster.

 

[akcire]

I wash and dry my down filled (very high end) comforter a couple times a year.

I wash it on a normal cycle, very little detergent with an extra rinse cycle.

Then I dry it on medium heat for like 2 hours until most of the moisture is gone. Then to allow it to finish drying I hang it on a drying rack.

It has never been a problem. As long as your comforter cover is cotton with some sewn pockets of separation (baffles) you should be in business, if you have a silk cover it may get destroyed. As for the feathers/down they will be fine; in nature animals get wet.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to wash it at home. I washed one a long time ago and it never fluffed up again. But I didn't use anything with substance in the dryer.

 

[dis-happy]

Once or twice during the dry cycle I take it out and re-position it. This allows the wet areas that get bunched up in the middle to spread out again and dry. GL!!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Thanks, Dis-happy! I will.

 

[denisem]

Once or twice during the dry cycle I take it out and re-position it. This allows the wet areas that get bunched up in the middle to spread out again and dry. GL!!!

This ^. I washed/dried down pillows & jackets for years using this method. I do cold water wash with Woolite and use low heat for drying with tennis balls to fluff.

I originally would take my queen down comforter to a local laundromat's large machines, but found THEY would wash/dry it for a nominal fee. Saved me a lot of time.