Trib-Tested: Downy Ball
The claim: Laundry items and methods have changed over the years, but the Downy Ball has remained the same since it's debut in 1960. It's simple design has been saving people time by preventing them from having to wait for the rinse cycle to begin the process of adding fabric softener. It takes just three steps to get the soft and fresh-smelling clothing you strive for at home: Fill the ball with softener, toss it on top of the clothes and let the washer work its magic.
Cost: $2.29 to $3.99
Where: Downy.com and many discount and grocery stores
I love simplicity and gotta say, I love the Downy ball.
Where on earth has this thing been for the past five decades? If it debuted in 1960, why did I never hear of it? The little blue plastic ball is simply the best laundry invention I've had the pleasure to encounter.
I used to be a dry-sheet addict, but pouring Downy fabric softener into this neat little ball, pulling the plug to close it and tossing it in the washer with my laundry is simple.
And the results were awesome. My sheets felt incredible. I will definitely continue to use this neat little ball. Dryer sheets be gone.
I have never used a fabric softener in my laundry — only detergent, so this was my first time using such a product. Fabric softener seemed unnecessary to me. But I really like this, if anything, for the sweet smell. I used it to wash a load of bed sheets, and they do feel softer and smell good.
It is convenient to pour the Downy into a ball that doesn't open until the washer has agitated for a while. The ball does have some soapy water remaining in it after the wash, but you can dump it out. I will continue to use this.
That old-fashioned Downy Ball has made its appearance in my laundry room over the years. It provides a convenient delivery system that I find less awkward and less likely to spill than adding fabric softener to my washing-machine dispenser.
I have to agree that liquid fabric softener works better than fabric-softener sheets, which are better than using nothing at all. Downy liquid seems to get deep into the fabric to make clothing less wrinkly and softer to the touch.
The ball delivery is especially good for all those delicate wash, hang-dry and flat-dry pieces that sometimes end up a little stiff from detergent.
And while the Downy perfume is nice, I prefer the brand's fragrance-free variety.
