How To Solve Your Most Pressing Laundry Problems, According To A Laundry Scientist
Last Updated May 30, 2024, 4:31 PM
I have to confess: My approach to laundry is a bit…chaotic, in the sense that it mostly involves shoving all my clothes into the washing machine and then reveling in how miraculously clean they are after it's done. As it turns out, that's also most people's experience with laundry. But the good news: There are experts, like Sammy Wang, senior laundry scientist for Downy, whose entire job is to demystify the chore by conceiving innovative products that take out both the guesswork and the legwork.
“Laundry is quite a complex science. Fabric types, washing machines, and water conditions can vary a lot, and it’s our job to test those variables to make sure our products work for all these different scenarios,” says Wang, who does little things throughout the week, like pre-sorting her clothes into darks and lights (she has multiple hampers for this reason) and using mesh bags, to make laundry day less daunting. “One challenge with laundry is that it’s never-ending — there’s always something getting added to your pile. But using products that work for you — whether that be adding freshness, removing set-in odors, or making your clothes soft and less wrinkly — can make life a little easier and a recurring chore more enjoyable.”
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And the more you understand how these products work, the better you can care for your clothing, which means you can make the most of the clothes you already have — a win for your closet and your wallet. To help you conquer laundry day, take this quiz to find out your "laundry language" (as in, the routine that best fits your lifestyle — and the products that best suit your laundry needs), and keep reading to learn how Wang solved four super common laundry dilemmas.
1 of 5
My sheets and blankets feel rough every time I launder them — so much so that I dread washing them. How can I make them softer and cozier after each wash?
Why it happens: “The laundry process can actually be tough on fabrics, which is why it’s important to use softening products to not only add the coziness element back into the fabrics, but to also help prevent your clothes from fraying and losing color."
The solve: “Think of fabric softener like conditioner for your hair: Downy Fabric Softener conditions and softens fibers, which, in turn, helps protect fabrics and provide long-lasting freshness. So, for your bedding, it can give you a really soft, luxurious feeling, making your bed extra cozy. Plus, it smells good. So, when you get into bed, it’ll smell clean and feel clean — it’s this level of freshness and softness that we tend to look for.”
How to use it: “Pour the fabric softener in the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine — this will release it in the rinse phase so it won’t interfere with the detergent during the wash phase. This way, everything is cleaned first and then it’s conditioned after. Fabric softener is great for a lot of types of fabrics, but I recommend using it especially on rougher fabrics, like linen, denim, and cottons, or cozy items, like hoodies, sheets, and blankets to add extra softness.”
Why it happens: “The laundry process can actually be tough on fabrics, which is why it’s important to use softening products to not only add the coziness element back into the fabrics, but to also help prevent your clothes from fraying and losing color."
The solve: “Think of fabric softener like conditioner for your hair: Downy Fabric Softener conditions and softens fibers, which, in turn, helps protect fabrics and provide long-lasting freshness. So, for your bedding, it can give you a really soft, luxurious feeling, making your bed extra cozy. Plus, it smells good. So, when you get into bed, it’ll smell clean and feel clean — it’s this level of freshness and softness that we tend to look for.”
How to use it: “Pour the fabric softener in the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine — this will release it in the rinse phase so it won’t interfere with the detergent during the wash phase. This way, everything is cleaned first and then it’s conditioned after. Fabric softener is great for a lot of types of fabrics, but I recommend using it especially on rougher fabrics, like linen, denim, and cottons, or cozy items, like hoodies, sheets, and blankets to add extra softness.”
2 of 5
No matter how many times I wash my workout clothes, there’s a persistent, noticeable odor. I’ve tried switching laundry detergents, adding dryer sheets, but nothing works. What should I do?
Why it happens: “As humans, on average, we secrete a lot of stuff — sebum, skin cells, and about a liter of sweat — in a day. Even when you’re not working out, all of that seeps into your clothing and without you noticing it, deep, set-in odors can build up over time. When those compounds stick on fabrics and are exposed to air, they start oxidizing and become stinky. It’s especially true for workout clothes because a lot of activewear is made of synthetic fibers, like polyester, nylon, and spandex, which trap odors more than traditional fibers like cotton.”
The solve: “To dissolve and break down those set-in odors, you need Downy Rinse & Refresh. Think of it like a clarifying shampoo — you may wash your hair regularly, but sometimes you need something to strip away buildup. That’s what Downy Rinse & Refresh does for clothes — it's guaranteed to remove 100% of odors in one wash. And because it removes the source of odors rather than covering them up, it can even help keep your clothes fresh if you accidentally leave them in the washer too long or even overnight."
How to use it: “Add this to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. There are actually two phases to the wash process. The first phase is called the wash, which is where detergent comes in to break down stains and soils. The second is the rinse phase, and that’s where you can bring in Downy Rinse & Refresh to strip away buildup and remove those deep, set-in odors. You can use it every time you do a load, because it's safe on all fabrics.”
Why it happens: “As humans, on average, we secrete a lot of stuff — sebum, skin cells, and about a liter of sweat — in a day. Even when you’re not working out, all of that seeps into your clothing and without you noticing it, deep, set-in odors can build up over time. When those compounds stick on fabrics and are exposed to air, they start oxidizing and become stinky. It’s especially true for workout clothes because a lot of activewear is made of synthetic fibers, like polyester, nylon, and spandex, which trap odors more than traditional fibers like cotton.”
The solve: “To dissolve and break down those set-in odors, you need Downy Rinse & Refresh. Think of it like a clarifying shampoo — you may wash your hair regularly, but sometimes you need something to strip away buildup. That’s what Downy Rinse & Refresh does for clothes — it's guaranteed to remove 100% of odors in one wash. And because it removes the source of odors rather than covering them up, it can even help keep your clothes fresh if you accidentally leave them in the washer too long or even overnight."
How to use it: “Add this to the fabric softener compartment of your washing machine. There are actually two phases to the wash process. The first phase is called the wash, which is where detergent comes in to break down stains and soils. The second is the rinse phase, and that’s where you can bring in Downy Rinse & Refresh to strip away buildup and remove those deep, set-in odors. You can use it every time you do a load, because it's safe on all fabrics.”
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3 of 5
The worst part about traveling is the musty smell that somehow clings to my clothes when I take them out of my suitcase. What can I do to make sure my clothes feel and smell fresh when I’m traveling?
Why it happens: “Textiles have a lot of surface area, so they tend to capture and absorb odors, whether that’s whatever you’re cooking for dinner or that stale scent from sitting in your suitcase or closet.”
The solve: “Downy Unstopables Scent Booster Beads are perfect for this situation because they’re formulated with special technology that ensures long-lasting freshness. Without long-lasting freshness technology, scent could get easily washed away. But scent booster beads have freshness and odor protection technology that is designed specifically for the laundry process to make sure your clothes are fresh from wash through wear — up to 12 weeks. So, when you take your clothes out of the suitcase or dresser, you can be confident that your clothes will still have all-day freshness, wherever your travels take you."
How it works: “Pour the scent boosters right into the basin of the washer drum, before you load your clothes. The water from the washer settles in the bottom of the drum, so that's where you want the scent boosters. You can use them for every load, and they’re safe on all fabrics. And if you have a larger load or if you want a stronger scent, you can add more beads; if you have a smaller load, you can use less. You can adjust it to what you want and choose a scent you like from Downy's Unstopables lineup."
Why it happens: “Textiles have a lot of surface area, so they tend to capture and absorb odors, whether that’s whatever you’re cooking for dinner or that stale scent from sitting in your suitcase or closet.”
The solve: “Downy Unstopables Scent Booster Beads are perfect for this situation because they’re formulated with special technology that ensures long-lasting freshness. Without long-lasting freshness technology, scent could get easily washed away. But scent booster beads have freshness and odor protection technology that is designed specifically for the laundry process to make sure your clothes are fresh from wash through wear — up to 12 weeks. So, when you take your clothes out of the suitcase or dresser, you can be confident that your clothes will still have all-day freshness, wherever your travels take you."
How it works: “Pour the scent boosters right into the basin of the washer drum, before you load your clothes. The water from the washer settles in the bottom of the drum, so that's where you want the scent boosters. You can use them for every load, and they’re safe on all fabrics. And if you have a larger load or if you want a stronger scent, you can add more beads; if you have a smaller load, you can use less. You can adjust it to what you want and choose a scent you like from Downy's Unstopables lineup."
4 of 5
There’s static cling every time I do laundry. I hate the feeling of putting on a top or skirt and having it stick to me — how do I get my clothes to be less staticky directly out of the dryer?
Why it happens: “The dryer uses heat and tumbling to dry clothes, which creates ‘static buildup’ or ‘static cling.’ It’s basically an imbalance of electrons, which causes your fabrics to become really clingy, especially with synthetic fibers. It can be really annoying; unfortunately, it’s somewhat inevitable just because of the way the dryer works.”
The solve: “Downy Dryer Sheets have anti-static agents, so they help prevent static cling. And they also help to prevent wrinkles and make clothes smell fresh. When you use a dryer sheet, you can pull your clothes out of the dryer and start to wear them — we call it ‘ready-to-wear.’"
How to use it: “Just add a dryer sheet right into the dryer on top of your clothes before running the dryer. For larger loads, use two sheets.”
Why it happens: “The dryer uses heat and tumbling to dry clothes, which creates ‘static buildup’ or ‘static cling.’ It’s basically an imbalance of electrons, which causes your fabrics to become really clingy, especially with synthetic fibers. It can be really annoying; unfortunately, it’s somewhat inevitable just because of the way the dryer works.”
The solve: “Downy Dryer Sheets have anti-static agents, so they help prevent static cling. And they also help to prevent wrinkles and make clothes smell fresh. When you use a dryer sheet, you can pull your clothes out of the dryer and start to wear them — we call it ‘ready-to-wear.’"
How to use it: “Just add a dryer sheet right into the dryer on top of your clothes before running the dryer. For larger loads, use two sheets.”
5 of 5
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