Downy Fabric Softener Balls - Long-Term Test

[laundryshark]

I have six of these Downy Balls, but no longer put them into the machine. I only use them to transport smaller quantities of Downy into the laundry center in our apartment building. Even through normal and proper use, the balls sometimes don't open throughout the entire wash run. Also, with the Whirly that I must make do with, the balls sometimes get stuck between the agitator blades and the inside of the tub at the bottom of the load, even when the balls are tossed in last on top. Therefore, I now just monitor my loads and manually pop open and pour in the Downy after the first spin has finished or the start of the second fill. Then I take the balls to wash and rinse back at the bachellor pad. By the way, I also have some jugs of Snuggle and Final Touch on hand in case I wanted to be a real rebel and use those. Imagine that!...Snuggle or Final Touch poured into those Downy Ball dispensers.--Laundry Shark

 

[supersurgilator]

Yeah I haven't used one for years, but I also have experienced one that sometimes didn't open. In the directions it says to make sure that you pour the Downy over the rubber plunger thing or else it wouldn't dispense properly. DOes that make sense to anyone?

 

[laundryshark]

Makes as Much Sense as a Screen Door On a Submarine!

No other choice but pour the fabric softener over the rubber plunger. Or else, make a mell of a hess in the process. The balls still misbehave in spite of my doing this.--Laundry Shark

 

[strongenough78]

I've had one open during the wash cycle as soon as I put it in. And a few times there was still softener in the damn thing. Needless to say I don't use them anymore.

 

[laundryshark]

Premature Opening

Had that happen to me on occasion as well. Hate it, too, when the stupid little dispenser things don't release *all* of their contents, especially in the proper cycle. Ever since I quit using the balls inside the machine, I have no more problems so long as I remember to go in and manually release the fabric softener at the start of the rinse fill.--Laundry Shark

 

[whitekingd]

The only trouble I have is that it doesn't open on the Delicate cycle of the '60 Kenmore.

 

[frigilux]

I detest the in-post softener on my Frigidaire TL'er, that I have used a Downy Ball for 3-1/2 years.

I'm not aware I've ever had a premature opening during the wash cycle, but I have had one half full of water at the end of a cycle, hiding inside a shirt, so when I pull the shirt out, the water saturates an item, which then goes into the dryer dripping wet.

The Ball won't open when I use the slow spin speed, but I rarely use the slow spin, so it's not a problem.

I don't like the in-post dispenser, because it dispenses in a mist-like shower during the first spin. By the time it reaches the rinse cycle, there's nothing left in it!

 

[laundryshark]

How About a Pant Leg?

Now there's a hiding place for a Downy Ball. What fun having to dig into my wet wash to retrieve that ornery thing. Since I quit putting the ball into the machine?...Not any more. I have no patience gambling on those balls functioning properly in the first place.--Laundry Shark