new down comforter thats been stored for a while

[doberbrat]

as in a few years - do I need to do anything to it (like wash it?) its been stored in the attick in the original bag it came in

[elephantmeg]

I guess I would see what it smells like and what the care instructions on it say. I'd leave out to air, my guess is it would smell plastic-y

[lizzywednesday]

You probably don't *need* to do anything to it, but I usually wash new things first. I would definitely air it out and check it for bugs before I put a duvet cover on it.

If it smells bad and you can't find signs of damage or insects, then I'd take it to be cleaned.

FWIW, with down, I don't bother dealing with it at home; the local "green" cleaners does down beautifully. At the end of the season, I'd take it to the dry cleaners (a green one if you can) before you put it away.