Very hot water, at least 60C (140F), on the longest available cycle. Even then it may take more than one try, and the yellow may be even harder to remove than the smell. I was just cleaning up some old linens to give away. The worst pillowcases were still yellowed after a short wash in 95C water.

Welcome and glad you are taking better care of yourself. A few questions first in order to give you the best specific answers. Are you using a home front loader or a laundromat's? If a home washer what brand and model machine do you have? It makes a difference. How much energy vs replacement do you want to expend? Also did you sleep on sheets or just a bare mattress?

Welcome there are many amazing laundry experts here who can assist.

Hi jjbowd,

My immediate thoughts are that they may be ruined. I would be looking for a new set, but if you want to try to save them be aware that washing in hotter water, and adding in boosters or additives could alter them further such as shrinkage or becoming lumpy, and even then may never come clean or stain free. Two years is a long time. If the risk and work is fine with you, you sure can try some different things to clean them. Just be aware a new bed set is a very real possibility.

You didn't mention the fabric types, But my first thoughts are...

The hotter the water the better the soils will release from the fabric. Down really should be washed with more gentle detergent without enzymes like woolite, but this job requires the big guns. I would use conventional tide, and try using oxiclean, and ammonia in a long hot wash, with extra rinses, and extra water level if available. This actually may need to washed a few times. Drying a down comforter and pillow is a little different too. You must dry very thoroughly, as down can get musty or moldy if left wet. So multiple drying cycles with some tennis balls in the dryer. Let us know what you decide to do, and how it goes.

Harlow

Jjbowd, thing about anything Down filled is the casing is weaved to prevent the Down from escaping...once soils, dead skin cells ect get in they are not comming out easily. A down pillow really needs two coverings, a pillow protector and a pillowcase. Same with a Down comforter, they need a covering.

Now, if these are expensive pillows and comforter you could find a speciality laundry service that deals with this. They can remove the Down, clean it and the casing seperatly, but it will cost you upwards of a couple hundred just for the comforter.

You could try the huge 50 pound FL washer at the laundramat, may take 2 complete washings, but less than 20 bucks...Hot water and a detergent without enzymes. This is the method I would try. Drying of the Down is critical as if any dampness remains it will mold. Dry on medium with several new tennis balls pulling out every 30 minutes to fluff up. Once you think its dry ...dry on low for awhile longer.

Harlow...enzymes..destroy Down...Tide may clean it better, the casing that is, but the down will be destroyed.

Pillows cost $3.49 at IKEA and you should be replacing them once a year anyhow. Toss it. Was the comforter one of the cheap $9.99 IKEA ones? If so, toss it and replace it- it will cost you more than that to get it clean.

Down should really be washed with soap, no detergent. At this point, I'm afraid they're beyond restoration.

Enzymes absolutely do break down down as I wrote earlier. But this pillow and comforter haven't been washed in 2 years. That's extreme soil buildup, with about 8 hours of use every single day with no duvet cover.

I just dont think woolite can effectively clean this comforter and pillow set. The OP has used tide liquid for the other down pieces, on the off chance the comforter and pillow come clean, I don't think using tide to try to strip the soils to save them will hurt. Of course if they can be saved, an enzyme free detergent should be used in future for regular washing.

You are absolutely right about the protectors.I have all my pillows and comforters, covered with a case and a protector. I even have protectors that I slip on my sofa cushions under their cover. The laundromats much larger dryer/washer will give a comforter a much better chance to tumble in there machines for a better clean and a more through dry.

Harlow

Exactly why my first comment was Dispose and buy new. That being said I also added a few tip in case the OP decided to try to save them. Absolutly no sense in trying to save something with a product that is without a doubt going to eat the Down.

Personally I don't think anything is going to save these. I'm not even sure this is not just a joke. Who sleeps on pillows two years with no coverings..

You might be successful cleaning the shell, but the down will be ruined.

I agree with getting ride of the stuff. Buy new and use the covers to keep it clean.

Clean the covers for pillows every 2 weeks or more often. Also the sheets. Clean the cover for the comforter just as often unless you also use a top sheet between your skin and comforter. If you do use a top sheet you could go for several months between cleaning the duvet cover. Unless of course there is body fluids that soak the cover. Then clean it ASAP.

The down needs to be cleaned with a mild non enzyme product. I use Miele down liquid product. I wash my down comforter twice a year in my home machine. I keep it covered. My pillows are double covered too. I wash pillows every year or 2. The pillow case weekly, the dense inner cover every few months.

Many here wash more frequently then I do. I feel my routine is not too often or too seldom.

I can relate to life being too busy. Just get your new stuff, then set up a routine and before long you will have peace of mind without your bedding getting out of control.

You don't need the extra complication of maintaining down. If you don't wash it right, it'll lose its loft. If you don't dry it right, it'll clump and/or get moldy. Down alternative polyester fillings can also clump.

I bought the "cooler" comforter from this Ikea page a few months ago, use it every night without a duvet cover or top sheet, and have washed it several times:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/20532/

I got the "cooler" one because I'm warm when I sleep, but you might want the warmer versions. It's labeled to be washed at 140F, which in practical terms means you can wash it at the highest temperature, except sanitize, in any home or laundromat machine. It probably would survive sanitize too. The filling is a solid sheet, not loose, so it doesn't clump. The twin-size "cooler" version, which is pretty thin, dries thoroughly in two 20-minute timed cycles (rearranging it between cycles) in a home-size dryer, at Hot. A home dryer with a shorter vent could probably do it in two 10 or 15 minute cycles.

Hey all, thanks so much for your help and advice. Since The advice is to ditch it, I might as well try to salvage it with washing with very hot water and long washed, multiple times, and dry thoroughly. If it does not work I might buy another one as suggested. Thanks. Will update on progress is relevant.

Great. Keep use posted.

If you're going to try again, you might hang it outside and see if the sun and fresh air can help salvage it.

Since you have nothing to lose, you could use some dishwasher detergent powder such as Cascade or Finish as a booster to your detergent. Soak for a few hours and then run a full wash with a few extra rinses.

suburbanmd, thank you for the Ikea link. What a great idea!

The Ikea bedding is so affordable, I say throw out your old stuff and start a new :-)

FYI, wet down is smelly.

I went looking for information on washing down. Here is a Better Homes and Gardens article:

wash-and-dry-down-filled-items

OT, but have you guys use pillowcase covers. I hate them as no they change the texture of the pillow/density. Tried a couple different ones. Even opened up the zipper to let air out....no matter what, I'm not a fan.

A1an...you could get away with just using 2 pillowcases. I do this for my daughter who hates pillowcovers. Just wash both on sheet day.

Alan your not using pillow protectors with plastic or the teflon coated ones are you?

I have a set of Pacific Down pillows that came with zippered pillow covers. Love them. Got another set of covers off Ebay, and sent them back cause they were poorly constructed. Dang.

I have cotton pillow covers that don't change anything. Alternately, pillowcases can be doubled opened to closed end.

I've been using these pillow cases, doubled up

https://www.amazon.com/12-Pack-Pillow-Cases-Inches-Double-Stitched/dp/B00ENU34GK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

It so happens that my pillow also has a protector on it, but it's superfluous since I change the doubled cases once a week. At a dozen for $30.49, you can do that and still go weeks between washes. They're white, raising the bar on keeping them looking clean, which is arguably a good thing. They've gone through a few 60C washes with no apparent ill effects.

suburbanmd, you're a bad influence.

mamap, I used those pillow "protectors with plastic or the teflon-coated ones" on my Pacific Down pillows for a while but I kept about two inches unzipped so some air could get inside. For the past few months I've been using 2 pillow cases on each pillow. Tell me I didn't completely damage my down pillows. Speak to me.

Utopia is still in business? I have tons of Utopia percale cases absolutly wonderful.

No Pat I'm sure your pillows are fine..I just don't like the way those teflon covers feel. Lol..I often use 2 pillowcases instead of a protector. I do not think those teflon things hurt down. Lol

I must use the allergy cases. I hate them. I have decided to buy super cheap pillows at Walmart or Target and replace 3 to 4 times a year. I never thought of using two pillow cases, what a simple great idea. Two pillow cases won't do anything for dust mites though.

We no longer use Down pillows except hubs. I buy the Ralph Lauren pillows at Homegoods when they have a buy one get one package, so two for 29$ and they wash up better than any synthetic filled pillow I've ever had. I replace about every 8 months. Wash about once a month. Except mine which is some kind of synthetic filled spa pillow that I've used a few years without washing and I don't use a pillow cover or case..LOL..LOL just checking if your paying attention haha.

mama, what do you use to wash your non-down pillows? I used hot water and All Free Clear liquid. My Mother used to put our down pillows in the sun in the backyard and they smelled so wonderful at the end of the day.

Pat I use whatever Free and Clear detergent I have on hand, usually Tide F&G pods. I don't want any scent on pillows unless Its one I spray on the pillowcases. I've always had to wash them at the laundramat before, now in my Duet they can get a good sanitize hot wash. My Asthmatic uses a tiny pillow and I mean tiny..its only about a foot long lol..walmart sells them 1.97 but that's the only one he will use. It gets washed weekly but only lasts for about 4 washes. I use a full size quilted pillow protector on it and just put the pillow in side wase and wrap the excess cover around it same as the pillowcase. I don't know why he won't use a normal size pillow. Think its a kid thing. I do use pillow protectors most of the time unless I strip them and end up not getting them washed and with all the pillows I don't have extra except the guest ones that I refuse to use for us.

But ya Pat whatevet Free detergent I happen to have is what I use on pillows and good hot water.

Just a note, mamap, that today Macy's has Ralph Lauren "Logo" and "Lawton" pillows on sale 2-for-1. I used to get the Hotel pillows there, but it looks like your Lauren pillows get a lot more good ratings. Just what I need, she said sarcastically.

bump

I'm assuming you're a college student with no sex life - or perhaps you're hoping for some and realize that bedding has GOT to be washed!

You talk about how you washed the down comforters and pillows and that they still smell. You have not mentioned how you dried them. Are you putting them through just one or two cycles of the dryer? If that is the case, what you are smelling is the fact that they didn't get dry and have "soured" - it smells something like sour milk. It can take multiple HOURS for a down comforter or pillow to dry! If you're using a laundromat, take plenty of change and a VERY engrossing book! Or you could just spend the money and take them to a cleaners and let them do all this for you.

In the future, I highly recommend a duvet cover, pillow protector and cases. Anything else, is...well...frank, disgusting.

Yes, I HAVE had a son and have 3 grandsons....

Yep, yep, yep....and the body sweat and oils after two years and no protection or bath...is going to require a lot of water..very hot temps..actually multiple washes since the first few washes are just going to be moving around in very soiled water. I think the OP disappeared. Or lost his/her post. LOL..I've done that.

I use duvet covers, but when I'm in the mood for for a more classic style I will sandwhich a coverlet inbetween 2 sheets. Saves the coverlet from more frequent washing.

Anglo..you do realize there are people that do use duvet covers and instead of washing them weekly on sheet day, they hardly ever wash them LOL..

Are they using the duvet with cover in lieu of a top sheet or just as a coverlet? If it's in lieu of the top sheet, it should be changed as often as the bottom sheet; if as a coverlet, far less frequently.

I am sorry, I agree with most of the others. They cannot be saved. Too far gone.

Is this thread a joke?

Might be, or op is still washing his duvet!

I'm late here but THROW EVERYTHING OUT and start all over with new bedding.

Edit...including the bed.

I suspect it is a joke. I hope it is.