How does a Downy Ball Work?

Question

I don't understand how it doesn't open in the wash cycle, but opens in the rinse cycle! How does it work?

Answer 1

I just wanted to chime in on what Scanner said. It does ruin clothes. It will leave dark spots on whites. This happens b/c some of the downy gets right on the towel.

Downy recommends re-washing when this happens but the problem is you usually notice it AFTER you have dried them. At which point it's too late! Great concept but that kink needs to be worked out.

Answer 2

Wash soap doesn't allow it to deploy. Needs the rinse water to do its job. I used the ball for a while and then I stopped. Screwed up too many cotton clothes!!!

It does work, don't get me wrong, but eventually in my experience it trashes clothes and they tear, rip, or the buttons simply come off. But I'm a toolbelt kind of guy, so, take it in context.

EDIT: I believe Sally may have the correct answer. I'll only leave my blah because of my experience of the Downy Ball s******g up my clothes, for reference.

Answer 3

The Downy Ball opens not during the rinse, but actually during the first spin cycle because of centrifugal force.  So, you toss the ball in, the wash cycle completes, then the washtub drains and starts spinning.  It is during this period of spinning that the ball opens.  It's designed so that the  plug in the flat top of the ball is pushed into the wall of the washing machine as it spins. This opens the ball and allows the softener to flow out during the rinse cycle.

Answer 4

All you have to do is put your fabric softener up to the line on the ball

and close the top with it's stopper, then put whatever clothes you're

washing along with your favorite laundry detergent and the ball at the

beginning of the load  and you won't have to try to remember to put

fabric softener in during the rinse cycle.