Anonymous wrote:Wash it. Put it in the dryer with tennis balls (they sell special "dryer balls," but tennis balls work just as well). The only problem with washing down is that it clumps when wet. Drying it completely with the tennis balls will fluff it back up again.

This, or add some damp towels if you don't have tennis balls. I just washed mine the other day.

Anonymous wrote:Wash it. Put it in the dryer with tennis balls (they sell special "dryer balls," but tennis balls work just as well). The only problem with washing down is that it clumps when wet. Drying it completely with the tennis balls will fluff it back up again.

+1

Use brand new clean tennis balls.

Bean has a great return policy if it doesn't work out

Anonymous wrote:I don't wash my down often but just washed it last week and it was totally fine and only needed one dryer cycle. I used to dry clean them when I was younger because like you, I didn't want to ruin my comforter but a wash cycle once a year will be fine, I promise. I guess if you're dead set against it and don't want to dry clean it, either hang it outside it dryer with a dryer sheet. But really, that thing is loaded with dust mites, dead skin, sweat, dust mite poop and exoskeletons, so it really should be washed.

+1 and eeeeeeuw

OP here - okay you've all convinced me to go ahead and wash and dry it!! Hopefully it will be fine!

I don't wash my down often but just washed it last week and it was totally fine and only needed one dryer cycle. I used to dry clean them when I was younger because like you, I didn't want to ruin my comforter but a wash cycle once a year will be fine, I promise. I guess if you're dead set against it and don't want to dry clean it, either hang it outside it dryer with a dryer sheet. But really, that thing is loaded with dust mites, dead skin, sweat, dust mite poop and exoskeletons, so it really should be washed.

Wash, dry in dryer for a while, hang out in sun.

Wash it. Put it in the dryer with tennis balls (they sell special "dryer balls," but tennis balls work just as well). The only problem with washing down is that it clumps when wet. Drying it completely with the tennis balls will fluff it back up again.

Next winter, or at this rate, next week, leave it outside overnight when temps drop below freezing. 24 hours is best but even a few hours will greatly improve your comforters and pillows. Do this with stuffed animals, too.

Gross. Just take it to the cleaners. Sunshine isn't enough.

Anonymous wrote:Sunshine.

Yep, hang it outside in the sun for the day.

Washing a down comforter is really not that big of a deal. I think long ago, it was a fire hazard to dry a down comforter, but I've been doing it for years without any issues. You need to dry it multiple times, making sure it has a chance to cool down between each dryer cycle. (Just let it cool down in the dryer, then fluff it up and unclump any areas that are clumped up, and start the dryer again.)

I would never consider Febreez or dryer sheets to be 'fresh." Yuck. Just clean it.

Gross. Just wash it.

Sunshine.

I have a down comforter I bought from LL Bean that will be 3 years old in July. I have always used a duvet cover on it which I wash every time I change the sheets. I have never washed the comforter before, as you are not really supposed to wash down, even though the label says it's machine washable. Recently, I've noticed it is starting to get a bit smelly and my sheets feel like they need to be changed more often, they don't keep that fresh clean feeling as long as they used to. I am reluctant to wash the comforter as if you don't do it right it can get ruined, and it takes a long time to dry, and the down must be completely dry or it will mold.

That being said, does anyone have any suggestions or experiences with freshening up the comforter without washing it? I don't know if it's the down that is smelly or just the cover. I have tried letting it air out and spraying it with Febreze but that didn't help. I wonder if spraying with vinegar and letting air dry would help? I've also read suggestions to put in dryer with dryer sheets to fluff it up.