This is for the manufacturer (Pizuna), who I anticipate reads their reviews. I purchased your beautiful white and wide striped duvet cover and shams in 300 TC, along with your full white sheet set (400 TC) and a set of matching duvet stripe pillow cases, also 300 TC as your duvet set. Your company packages everything beautifully, and in their own "fabric pouch," but why on earth are you including the cardboard in your packaging that makes the fabric smell terribly? On your instructions, you mention to wash immediately the items, as the "recycled cardboard" makes the fabric smell. I'll say! It smells so strongly of chemicals - and unfortunately I had already (and excitedly) put on the bed, until I realized how bad they smelled (this was before I read the instructions card you included.) I ended up steaming while on the bed and that helped take much of the smell out (as I didn't want to take off and wash). Since then, I have washed the pillow cases and the smell seems to have calmed down (if not gone entirely.) Also, please note that the cardboard leaves a distinct line in the fabric itself, that a steamer couldn't even get out! While washing has helped with smell, I suspect it will take another wash or two before the line is entirely gone. So the reason for 3 stars is: 1 star for smell and 5 stars for your fabric (which feel and look great) - thus = 3 stars. PLEASE consider ditching the recycled cardboard when packaging your duvet and/or sheet sets. It truly is NOT needed. In fact, I just purchased and received 400 TC pillow protectors (by another manufacturer) packaged *without* cardboard, and there was zero smell and no unwanted lines. I don't know about other people, but when I receive new linens, I expect NO smell (and no "hard lines"), and I want to place them on my bed at my earliest convenience. Nobody should have to wash their new linens first - also, when you take properly packaged sheets, etc. out of their wrapping, those that are folded without cardboard (which seems to be just about everyone but Pizuna) still have that ironed look we all love - which gives us a break from when we do have to wash the first time and deal with wrinkles then (but not when we first receive and make the bed!) Anyway, Pizuna, your fabrics and products are lovely and well made, but your packaging literally stinks (my attempt at pun and humor.) PLEASE DITCH THE RECYCLED CARDBOARD (OR ANY CARDBOARD) AS YOU YOURSELF ADMIT IS CAUSING THE SMELL (and I'm also letting you know about the hard to erase lines it also causes). IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE AS PART OF YOUR PACKAGING. I truly hope you'll do away with the cardboard, and just have your machine fold the linens naturally - no more smell and soft lines will occur instead of hard. I'm also saving your company money with this suggestion - no more cardboard to purchase! Thank you, Pizuna. And to potential buyers who have read the full review, I still recommend purchasing from Pizuna, as their linens are beautifully made - but you are forewarned about horrible smell and hard fold lines.
