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What is Downy Rinse & Refresh?
I’m thrilled to share Downy’s new Rinse & Refresh product! For parents, you may relate to that moment when you walk into your pre-teen’s room and think, “What is that smell?” Sometimes, deodorant alone just doesn’t cut it, and your laundry routine needs an upgrade.
Downy Rinse & Refresh is designed to tackle the root cause of odors by removing residue in fabrics—not just masking smells. Residue, a buildup of dead skin cells, oils, and other debris trapped in fabric, can be the hidden culprit behind persistent odors. Unlike fabric softeners or detergents, Downy Rinse & Refresh is a gentle fabric rinse made with sensitive skin in mind, containing no dyes or heavy perfumes.
How to Use:
Use your regular detergent as normal.
Add Downy Rinse & Refresh to the fabric softener drawer or directly into the rinse cycle.
Adjust the amount based on your load size or the level of odor buildup—it's safe for all fabrics.
How Much Downy Rinse & Refresh Should You Use?
The amount depends on your laundry load size and personal preference. For average loads, fill the fabric dispenser just below the "max fill" line. For more challenging odors or larger loads, you can use more as needed.
What is Residue in Laundry Terms? Is It the Same as a Stain?
Residue and stains are different:
Stains: These are localized spots on fabrics caused by external substances like food or dirt, often leading to discoloration.
Residue: A buildup that accumulates across garments over time, caused by leftover detergent, body oils, hard water minerals, and environmental pollutants. Residue can trap bacteria and odors, changing the texture and feel of fabric.
Pre Wash: Note the residue on the left as a "buildup" on the textile that can discolor as well. The stain is on the right by a surgical marker.
Post wash: Note the reduction in residue on the left. Anyone that has ever had surgical marker stains on their clothes knows how hard that is to remove! Note how much was removed with a combination of Tide Hygienic Clean and Downy Rinse and Refresh!
Think of residue removal as a "clarifying shampoo" for your clothes, similar to how you’d lift product buildup from hair. Just like clarifying shampoos aren’t used daily, Downy Rinse & Refresh can be incorporated as needed to tackle stubborn buildup.
Is It Okay That Downy Rinse & Refresh Has a Scent?
Yes, Downy Rinse & Refresh has a light scent, designed to neutralize odors while lifting residues. Unlike heavy fragrances that mask smells, this product targets the source of odors, reducing skin exposure to irritants and residues.
Contact dermatitis to laundry detergents is rare and when it has occurred it has been thought to have a stronger correlation to preservatives such as methylisothiazoline. A study evaluating contact dermatitis to laundry detergents showed that not only was it rare, but the researchers also could not reproduce the results in most cases.
One of my favorite articles to quote is a letter from Dermatologist Dr. Rockoff from Boston to our main Dermatology journal the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology entitled “Detergent Allergies: An urban legend”. Toward the end of his letter he says:
“Several years ago I called the laundry departments of several teaching hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts, to ask about their procedures when wards send down sheets with the message that a patient is allergic to the detergent in their bedclothes. “Can I be frank?” asked one laundry director, in a conspiratorial tone. “We wash them again, pack them in a different-colored wrapper, and send them back up.” “Then what happens?” I asked. “Nothing,” he said.”
I couldn’t agree more. In the case of Downy Rinse and Refresh, since it is lifting residues, the risk is even smaller.
Can Downy Rinse & Refresh Remove Urine Odors from Clothes?
Many parents and caregivers have asked if this product works on persistent urine odors. Here’s the scoop:
Urine stains may wash out easily with detergent, but the uric acid in urine can remain as a residue. Over time, exposure to moisture can break down uric acid into ammonia, reigniting the smell. Traditional DIY solutions like vinegar, baking soda, or borax have been used to combat this, but Downy Rinse & Refresh may offer a simpler, fabric-safe alternative.
For pet owners, Downy Rinse & Refresh may also help with tough odors like cat urine, making it a versatile option for managing persistent smells in both human and pet-related laundry.
Hair products analogy for laundry...
Task | Hair Care | Laundry Care |
Clean | Shampoo | Detergent |
Condition | Conditioner | Fabric Softener |
Residue Removal | Clarifying Shampoo | Downy Rinse & Refresh |
Stains | Hair Dye | Mustard, Wine, etc. |
Downy Rinse & Refresh is akin to a clarifying shampoo for your fabrics, lifting stubborn residues that trap odors and alter texture.
Why Use Downy Rinse & Refresh?
Odor Removal: Targets the root cause of smells rather than masking them.
Residue-Free: Helps remove build-up from detergents, body oils, and other residues.
Gentle Formula: Made with sensitive skin in mind, free of heavy dyes or perfumes.
Convenience: Easier to use than DIY methods like vinegar or baking soda.
Key Takeaways
Downy Rinse & Refresh is a game-changer for tackling laundry odors and residue. Whether dealing with workout gear, pre-teens' clothes, or persistent smells from bedding, this product lifts buildup to leave fabrics truly clean and refreshed.