In this guide, we will explain to you why natural down bedding sometimes has a scent, what it means, and offer simple steps to ensure your new bedding is fresh and ready for a cozy night's sleep.

What Causes the Natural Down Scent?

The answer is simple! Down is a naturally available product. Unlike synthetic fibers that are created in a lab to make down alternative bedding, down is the soft and fluffy undercoating from geese or ducks. Since it is an organic resource, it has characteristics that synthetic materials don't.

Natural Oils

Every minute down cluster contains trace amounts of natural oils, which are essential, as they give down its incredible resilience, loft, or fluffiness, and powerful insulating properties.

Gentle Cleaning Process

At Puredown, down undergoes a rigorous, multi-step cleaning and sterilization process, which is carefully designed to be thorough yet gentle. Our aim is to clean the down without completely stripping it of those beneficial oils that make it worth it.

The Trapped Air Effect

In order to protect your bedding and make shipping more efficient, we compress and vacuum-seal our down products. This process expels all the air out, which can cause the natural aroma of the down to become concentrated. The scent you notice upon opening is simply the trapped aroma being released.

4 Simple Steps to Fresh, Scent-Free Bedding

Getting your new down product perfectly fresh is easy. All it really needs is a little air and a good fluff.

Let It Breathe

Once you unbox your goose down pillow or comforter, remove it from the plastic packaging and lay it out in a well-ventilated room for a few hours. This helps to decompress the down and dissipate the initial concentrated scent.

Give It a Vigorous Fluff

Fluffing the luxury linen helps to promote air circulation and release any set-in odor. Simply hold the pillow or comforter on opposite ends and push it in and out like an accordion for about 30 seconds. This helps separate the down clusters, breaks up any clumps from packaging, and ensures that the fresh air moves throughout the fill.

Fresh Air and Sunshine

This combo is nature's most effective deodorizer. If it is possible, take your new bedding outdoor on a dry and breezy day for a few hours. This helps to whisk away any lingering scent. We would, however, suggest keeping it under indirect sunlight, as though the sun's UV rays are natural purifiers, direct and harsh sunlight for a long period of time can be damaging to any fabric.

The Drying Process for a Quick Refresh

If you are not able to air your bedding outside in the sun, a short 15-20 minute tumble in a large-capacity dryer washing machine can be a great alternative. In these cleaning techniques, simply set the dryer to a no-heat or air fluff setting only. Add in a few wool dryer balls or clean tennis balls, which will easily help tumble the bedding, break up the clusters, and aerate the fill effectively.

What Should You Avoid

No Artificial Fragrances

Avoid spraying your new bedding with a fabric spray or essential oil perfumes. This can coat the delicate down clusters, which will eventually reduce their loft and fill power, restraint their breathability, and cause clumping over time.

Avoid Plastic Storage

One storage tip is to refrain from keeping your down bedding in plastic bags or containers for long term, as it can trap moisture and cause mildew growth or fungus growth, along with chemical musty scents to develop over time. We recommend using a breathable cotton storage bag to store your feather and down comforter or pillow.

Final Words

A faint initial scent is a sign that you have an authentic, high-quality, natural product. It's a temporary characteristic that quickly fades, leaving you with what truly matters: the incredible softness, weightless warmth, and unparalleled comfort of pure down.