We're sorry to hear you're having trouble using Downy Rinse and Refresh, Aundrea, and we're happy to help. Downy Rinse and Refresh is nothing like a traditional fabric softener. Traditional Liquid Fabric Softeners lubricate fibers making them soft and fresh. With only 5 ingredients, Downy Rinse & Refresh is designed to remove odor-causing residues not lubricate fibers. Its unique formula works in the rinse to break down and remove the residues left behind after washing that can lead to odors. It uses an organic acid (Citric acid) to lower the pH of the rinse which helps remove residues that lead to malodor on fabrics over time. Downy R&R is safe for all washable fabrics, including activewear and children’s clothing. Downy R&R is not a fabric softener, so it can be used on all machine washable fabrics and will not impede absorbency or moisture wicking or harm flame retardants on children’s clothing like usual liquid fabric softeners. Downy R&R is designed to be used with detergent, and can be used with other fabric enhancers like scent boosters or dryer sheets but NOT liquid fabric softener or bleach. Make sure rinse is being added to your machine's rinse cycle, not during the wash cycle, and add to the softener drawer if that’s an option or to the center agitator. Some machines have a ‘fabric softener’ button that you need to push to activate the cycle. For a really tough malodor you're struggling to remove through a normal wash cycle, try soaking for an hour or two. Make a solution of Tide Hygienic Clean or Tide Oxi Liquid, Rinse and Refresh and water and soak. Run through wash cycle after. If you have any further questions or need further assistance, please give us a call at 1-800-688-7638, M-F 9am-6pm EST.

We're sorry to hear that you feel this way. We can assure you that our Downy Rinse & Refresh goes through many quality checks to ensure that you can enjoy the best possible results with it, and we'd be happy to learn more about your experience. When you have a chance, please give us a call at (800) 688-7638.

Unwanted laundry odors can be a handful to deal with, but when using our Rinse & Refresh, they should easily disappear without a trace. However, as you know, not all odors are created equal, so you may need to use more of the product to get your desired results. We'd like to connect about this and help. Please call us at (800) 688-7638.