Don't Forget the Downy!

[mayguy]

One of my co-worker was setting up the new Maytag washer display that we got in. He was taking the stuff out of the basket to put in a bag to hide behind the machine, and noticed he had the Downy Ball! I am like "You got to be kidding me! A brand new washer, and need to use the Downy Ball!?"

I go over and looked inside the machine, and sure enough, there is no spot for the fabric softener!

 

[mayguy]

Looks like we need to tell the washer we have the ball in there.

 

[mayguy]

Control Panel

 

[mayguy]

Inside shot.

 

[logixx]

Indeed, the manual says you have to use the Downy Ball... :-/

 

[toploader1984]

oooo, please post videos!! i have been waiting to see this new machine in action

 

[mayguy]

Toploader1984

Afraid I am not able to post video on this machine since we have no hookup at the store.

 

[pulsator]

Video

I own the Whirlpool version of this machine (mechanically identical) and I'm quite pleased with it! Here's a video of it washing a large load of whites!

 

[toploader1984]

thanks pulsator, good turnover

 

[golittlesport]

you got to be kidding me??!!

The fabric softener dispenser is a Downy ball???? C-H-E-A-P

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yeah! Having to use the Downy ball is pretty pursafunctant! (made up word)

 

[maytagbear]

This is a perfect example of

what is sometimes called "de-contenting." The thought of a ridiculously expensive washer without a true fabric softener dispenser is beyond ridiculous!

Furthermore, every time I have tried a Downy ball (several times,) I never got it to work correctly, even though I followed the directions.

Disgustedly,

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[cphifer5115]

the one and only time i used a downy ball i found the fabric softner leaking into the wash water

 

[qsd-dan]

you got to be kidding me??!!

X2!

TRUE Maytags had centrifugal fabric dispensers since 1964 (Patent issued in 1959). They also didn't need some ridiculous knob to let the machine know that a totally separate, not to mention "cheesy" device has dispensed fabric softener. Actually, what IS the point and function of that knob, anyway?

1 step forward, 2 steps back.......

 

[dj-gabriele]

Gosh, I'd be embarrassed to sell one of those machines and call it "automatic"! And what happens when one loses the ball or it breaks? I'm sure it has a high purchase price! And if I wanted to use another brand besides of downy ultra would that work anyway?

 

[nrones]

This is a HE washer, right?

Here is a link from Downy website.
It clearly says "DESIGNED FOR TRADITIONAL (NON-HE) WASHERS".
And now, they are selling it with HE washer... also, telling the machine if we put the ball in?? ridiculous.

http://www.downy.com/en-US/product/the-downy-ball.jspx

 

[logixx]

Actually, what IS the point and function of that knob, anyway?

It changes the rinse on the Normal cycle from spray rinse to deep rinse.

 

[laundryshark]

Downy Balls in Machines.

Personally, I choose not to put the Downy Balls into our coin operated machines. The balls do not always pop open to release their fabric softener. Sometimes, the balls get stuck between an agitator fin and the tub or end up hiding up a pant leg *and still unopened!* Therefore, I am more than satisfied in using the little dispensers for transporting small quantities of Downy into the laundry center. I do not mind the exercise in checking in at the right time to manually open the dispensers to pour in the contents right after the first spin has finished. I immediately take the balls back so as not to misplace them in the laundry center. I have six of those Downy Balls that I bought from Walmart a few years back. Back in the late 1990s, I had a roommate who had a Downy Ball and I thought it was a neat little thing that I eventually got around to buying my own set of six. Can't remember if they were 99 cents or $1.99 each. Still have all six balls in good shape. At least they still serve a little bit of a purpose.--Laundry Shark

 

[toploader1984]

ok.... when the downy ball opens, being as the machine just basically "saturates" the clothes rather than submerging them how is the downy ball supposed to get rinsed out and dispense correctly??? i must be missing something.