Pillows, why do some down pillows stink?

Question

why do feather pillows stink ?

Answer 1

I had the same problem, with a brand new pillow -

  smelt like they had left some duckydoo in the filling!!!!!!!  Nothing I could do would get rid of it and I eventually threw it out.  Am interested to see if it could have been saved

Answer 2

If your pillows are new, they are not good quality. Good quality ones have the feathers well cleaned before they are make into a pillow. Take them back to the store and look for better quality.  More money, but, for pillows that could last 20 years, a wise investment.

Answer 3

Down pillows are an investment in luxurious comfort, but they won't stay luxurious for long if you don't take care of them. Wash them once or twice a year, taking special steps to maintain their natural softness and fluffiness.

Things You'll Need:

Non-bleach detergent or down wash

Tennis balls

Clean sock

Step1

Check your pillows for slits or tears in the covers. Make sure the fabric is strong enough to stand up to washing.

Step2

Take your pillows to a facility with front-loading commercial washers.

Step3

Load pillows into front-loading washer with a small amount of non-bleach detergent or down wash. Le Blanc Down Wash costs around $25 for an economy-sized 64 oz. bottle.

Step4

Set machine for a second rinse, if available, or re-rinse manually once the wash cycle is complete.

Step5

Place pillows in dryer. Add a tennis ball or two in a clean sock to aid in fluffing.

Step6

Stop dryer periodically to remove pillows and fluff by hand. Use your fingers to separate clumps. Make sure pillows are overheating.

Step7

Put your clean pillows in a pillow protector to prolong their life.

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Tips :

Make sure pillows have enough room in the dryer to toss around as they dry.

It takes a long time to dry down pillows completely--as long as three hours for two pillows in a commercial dryer on medium heat. If your patience runs out or your pillows come out of the dryer with a musty smell, set them in the sun for a couple of hours.

The pungent odor you may notice on your pillows when they are wet is natural and will go away when they dry.

If you don't dry your pillows thoroughly, they may mildew.

The harsh chemicals of regular dry cleaning can break dodwn your pillows' filling. If you want to have them professionally cleaned, take them to someone who advertises down cleaning as a specialty.

Answer 4

Perhaps they are damp or are suffering from an overload of perspiration  as most people do sweat around the head even if they are not aware that they do.

One website that I consulted said that you should air feather pillows at least twice a month in sun and you could try this to see if this does the trick - other than that here is website with some good advice on washing your pillows if you feel that this may be needed

Hope this helps you to get rid of the smells  

Answer 5

They should not smell when new, I would return them to the shop if they did as it means the down has not been sterilised properly.  If they are older they smell because your head sweats during the night and they need cleaning or putting outside in the sunshine frequently.