Customer Reviews

Downy Fabric Softener, Ultra Concentrated, April Fresh,, 40 loads, 34 fl oz (1.25 qt) 1.2 l

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Downy Fabric Softener, Ultra Concentrated, April Fresh,, 40 loads, 34 fl oz (1.25 qt) 1.2 l

I've used the regular April Fresh Downy since 1990 and was very dismayed to find the original scent has been replaced by the new ultra-concentrated version. The new version (this one) is overwhelmingly floral and has a rather sickly-sweet, cloying scent. It is very heavy and instead of giving your clothing and towels and linens a light, clean scent, it creates a very strong perfumed effect. I'm hugely disappointed in P&G for changing the scent from the original April Fresh to this new ultra-concentrated version. Also, when used with certain detergents, the scent clashes with the scent of the detergent when used together (for example, Gain) and makes an odd odor. It's unfortunate that the original scent isn't offered alongside the new ultra-concentrated scent. It does help to cut the amount of fabric softener you use in half, to cut back on the uber strong smell. A little goes way too far with this product.

This is not the orignal Downy. P&G has changed the scent, and now it's sickly-sweet, sugary floral, and nauseating. It's not like they tweaked the scent, P&G threw away the old one and replaced it with this horrible product. Gross.

I've been using this product for 20 years. I will not buy another bottle.

Ultra Downy Fabric Softener with its April Fresh Scent does an excellent job of softening my clothing and towels in the washing machine. I have used it with great satisfaction for many years both at laundromats and in my father's clothes washing machine. It comes in a solid, heavy duty plastic container that won't break and the handle fits around your hand to make it easy to carry, too.

But there's more. After you unscrew the cap, you can turn the cap upside down to use it as a measuring cup. I recommend using the full cup for your load of wash even though Downy says less than a full cup may well be enough; I like my clothes extra soft. This is true despite the fact that this form of Downy is concentrated so they say you can use less per load of wash. People with itchy skin who want clothing and towels very soft would do well to use a full cup, too. It contains biodegradable fabric softener agents; and when you are washing items that have bright red or similar colors Downy will not cause those items to fade.

Unfortunately, one drawback exists: DON'T use Downy fabric softener if you are washing anything that is flame resistant. It will reduce the flame resistant quality of the garment. This holds true especially for children's sleepwear or garments that are labeled flame resistant. Fabrics containing fleece and terry cloth should not be washed with this product, either. Downy fabric softener makes these fleece and terry cloth items more likely to become flammable; and that's not desirable.

The April Fresh scent is great; but if you're sensitive to perfumes try using Downy in an unscented form.

Overall, Downy April Fresh fabric softener is just about the best brand when you want to soften your things in the washing machine. I highly recommend this for anyone who wants their wash to come out really nice and soft; Downy fabric softener may be even more helpful if you have "hard" water. It may have a drawback concerning some flame resistant garments; but these can always be washed separately.

Beware if you a fan of April Fresh. I cannot believe P&G would change the April Scent after 20+ years. They didn't just say we are discontinuing the April Fresh scent they deceptively changed the scent and was selling something as April Fresh that was not. I am not bound to their product and there are others out there that would do...I am just angry that some idiot in their boardroom cut some sort of deal that would save the company a bundle without regard to their customers (actually former customers).

Lots of other negative reviews on the new scent, but it still smells fresh and clean to me. I will keep purchasing.