How to get campfire smell out of down insulation?

[cneill13]

I bought a mildewed quilt from a scamming chump on WB. Everything I read said to just throw it away. Instead, I soaked it in a bathtub for several hours with hot water and 3-4 cups of white vinegar. Once dried, I hung it outside to puff and it is good as new with no mildew odor. It is a jrb Sierra stealth. Very nice quilt.

I also used this cleaning method on a kelty tarp that I used to shield a fire in a driving rain. It got most of the Smokey odor out but it still has some rank that probably won't ever go away.

But I do think white vinegar and hot water are a good way to cut odors without harming the down in a quilt.

[TrailSlug]

I bought a mildewed quilt from a scamming chump on WB.

What or where is WB so I can avoid this?

[TrailSlug]

Personally, I try to avoid washing down unless absolutely necessary... don't want to muck with those natural oils.

Excellent advice. My wife washes her down coats due to getting makeup on the collars and they are only a shell of what they once were when new. If you've ever handled this delicate down you'd realize it wasn't meant to be washed more than once if ever.

[LuvmyBonnet]

What or where is WB so I can avoid this?

I think that's White Blaze. Hiking site, I think.

As for that smoke smell in the quilts. The easiest way is to eat some asparagus and then wizz all over the quilts. Smoke smell is gone! JK. JK. I would say let it air out. I would avoid chemicals like Fabreeze unless it was a last hope.

[TrailSlug]

I think that's White Blaze. Hiking site, I think.

Ah, I'm sure you are correct. That asparagus tactic would surely work My quilts have a bit of smoke smell and I like it. Always reminds me where I'd like to be ... Give that airing out a try before anything else .....

[Vanhalo]

I bought a mildewed quilt from a scamming chump on WB

Do you mean it wasn't lightly used, only used a few nights & basically in new condition like he claimed?

Did he leave out the part where he used it for diapers once....just once?

[Gqgeek81]

I usually take my down jacket, sleeping bag, and related gear and toss it in the dryer on the no heat setting with some dryer sheets in there to add a fresh scent.

This runs as my dirty sweaty hiking clothes are in the wash.

[SoaknWet]

And your naive enough to think it can't happen here! Your dealing with complete strangers buying gear unseen.

[snwcmpr]

I have had Western Mountaineering bags since the 80s. Still as good as new.
I ONLY wash them in "Down Wash" a wash made for safely washing down.
I used to use McNett Down Wash. Now it is Gear Aid ReviveX.
https://www.gearaid.com/products/down-cleaner
Or NikWax as said.
http://www.nikwax-usa.com/en-gb/prod...hp?productid=2

Roll item into the smallest it can be, get the air out, and immerse into the bathtup that has the down wash dissolved in it.
(This is because if you do not do that it is like trying to get a cat under water. You only do that once)
Wash as directed in the instructions.
Drain, refill tub, drain, refill, drain as needed to rinse.

NEVER pick up the item when wet, it is heavy enough to tear the stitching. Squeeze the water out before lifting. And lift the entire item at once. If too wet keep squeezing water out. Lay out to dry. I use a fan under/alongside a drying rack.
Shake after drying to unclump. I have used tennis balls to unclump in a dryer, and I have unclumped by hand, shaking. The risk of a dryer is that any sharp edge can rip the item. I now unclump by hand and do not trust a dryer.

Ken in NC

[DrPhun]

Back when they allowed smoking in public places like bars we used to deal with this all the time. Hang it outside in the sun for a few hours the next day.