In addition, if you overload your washing machine it may cause the ball not to open, so next try to add less clothing to the machine at a time. 2. The Ball Breaks When Dropped The Downy ball is made of plastic, and generally is supposed to be designed to be sturdy, since it goes through the wash repeatedly.
Full Answer
Why does my Downy Ball keep breaking?
The Downy ball is made of plastic, and generally is supposed to be designed to be sturdy, since it goes through the wash repeatedly. However, if it rolls off a shelf in your laundry room, for example, and hits the hard floor it may crack. If this happens there is not much you can do, beside buy a new one.
Why is my Downy Ball not opening in the washing machine?
In addition, if you overload your washing machine it may cause the ball not to open, so next try to add less clothing to the machine at a time. 2. The Ball Breaks When Dropped. The Downy ball is made of plastic, and generally is supposed to be designed to be sturdy, since it goes through the wash repeatedly.
How do you use a Downy Ball?
How The Downy Ball Works. The ball is designed with a rubber stopper in the top. At the beginning of the washing cycle open the stopper and pour in your fabric softener to the approprite fill line and pull the stopper closed.
Does the Downy Ball work in dryer sheets?
No—the Downy Ball only works in top-loading—non-HE, or non-high-efficiency—washing machines. Dryer sheets have numerous benefits, including softening, fighting pesky static cling and adding a delightful Downy scent. Search results are at the heading Your Search Results. I feel like your laundry isn’t clean until it smells clean.
Why does my Downy Ball never open?
This is not uncommon because fabric softener is oil based, and easily clumps as it dries. Try wiping off the stopper and cleaning it with a few drops of laundry detergent. In addition, if you overload your washing machine it may cause the ball not to open, so next try to add less clothing to the machine at a time.
How do you open a Downy Ball?
During the rinse cycle, the spinning action of the washer will open the ball and release the Downy Fabric Condition to soften, freshen and protect the clothes you love.
Why is the fabric softener dispenser not working?
Check the inlet hose screens to see if there are any blockages. If the washing machine does not have enough water pressure, the fabric softener will not drain. To check the screens, turn the water off with the water valves. Remove the hot and cold water hoses from the back of the washing machine.
How long does a Downy Ball last?
I have had mine for at least 6 years. Yes you have to clean it out every few months, but it saves so much time and energy. I always make sure not to over load the washer, that way the ball can evenly move around and distribute the fabric softener.
How does fabric softener dispenser ball work?
0:001:10How The Downy Ball Works - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDuring the rinse cycle the intense spinning motion of your washer pops the lid and tada automaticMoreDuring the rinse cycle the intense spinning motion of your washer pops the lid and tada automatic dispensing in your wash. It's a simple little device.
How do you open a fabric softener dispenser?
0:141:23Cleaning Your Top Load Washer Dispenser - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy pulling it directly upward then separate the lower part of the dispenser by squeezing the bottomMoreBy pulling it directly upward then separate the lower part of the dispenser by squeezing the bottom of the housing. And pulling on the cup at a slight angle.
Why does my washing machine not take the softener?
The most likely cause is an open circuit water valve that flushes softener into the drum. However, not all washing machines have a separate softener valve.
How do I unclog my washer fabric softener dispenser?
Add enough warm water to cover the dispenser. Mix in a tablespoon or two of liquid laundry soap, swirling it into the water with your hand. Allow the dispenser to soak for 10 minutes or so, touching the fabric softener buildup to see if it has loosened. If not, soak the dispenser for another 20 minutes.
Why is my softener drawer full of water?
What causes water to be left? The tube at the back of the softener compartment often gets blocked by the fabric softener itself. If you take out the dispenser drawer and take off the cap or device, you can give the whole thing a good clean out.
Can I put vinegar in my Downy Ball?
Here's what you need to do: Simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser or to a fabric softener ball. The white vinegar will act as a fabric softener AND it will keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean!
Can I put Lysol laundry sanitizer in a Downy Ball?
Yes, absolutely! That's what I use mine for. I don't use liquid fabric softener, but I use my Downy Ball to hold liquid laundry sanitizer (Lysol and Clorox both make some) during the wash cycle. The reusable Downy Ball then releases the liquid at the beginning of the rinse cycle (when the washer starts spinning).
Can you use a Downy Ball in a high efficiency washer?
No—the Downy Ball only works in top-loading—non-HE, or non-high-efficiency—washing machines. Dryer sheets have numerous benefits, including softening, fighting pesky static cling and adding a delightful Downy scent.
What happens if you drop a downy ball?
The Ball Breaks When Dropped. The Downy ball is made of plastic, and generally is supposed to be designed to be sturdy, since it goes through the wash repeatedly. However, if it rolls off a shelf in your laundry room, for example, and hits the hard floor it may crack. If this happens there is not much you can do, beside buy a new one.
How does Downy ball work?
How The Downy Ball Works. The ball is designed with a rubber stopper in the top. At the beginning of the washing cycle open the stopper and pour in your fabric softener to the approprite fill line and pull the stopper closed. Then , throw the filled ball onto the top of your clothing. It is important that the ball be at the top, ...
Why does my fabric softener stop working?
Sometimes this happens because the stopper gets residue caked on it, which make it difficult to slide open and closed. This is not uncommon because fabric softener is oil based, and easily clumps as it dries. Try wiping off the stopper and cleaning it with a few drops of laundry detergent.
What does a washing machine ball do?
Basically the ball floats at the top of your washing machine load during the washing of the clothes. When the washing machine enters the last rinse cycle and begins to spin the ball around, with the rest of the clothes, the ball is designed to open up and release the softener onto the clothing.
Can you use Downy fabric softener in a washing machine?
Although it says "Downy" in its name, you don't have to use Downy fabric softener in it, although the fill lines are premeasured for that brand. Instead, it can be used to dispense any type of liquid softener in your washing machine at the right time.
Can you stain with a ball?
Frankly, when using the ball it may be more likely to get staining because when it dispenses it is more likely to hit your clothing full strength, and not be diluted in water first.
Can you use a downy ball in a HE machine?
Generally Not For Use In HE Machines. Because the Downy ball is designed to open up during the final rinse cycle of standard (non-HE machines), you should not use this fabric softener ball in an HE machine. Instead, most HE machines have a fabric softener dispenser in them, and you should use this dispenser instead.
What is a Downy ball?
The Downy Ball is a great way to add Downy ® to your laundry during the rinse cycle without needing to babysit the washer.
Why use Downy?
Downy helps protect your clothes from a dryer hot enough to cook ribs.
How to use Downy Ball?
Simply pour any Downy fabric conditioner up to the fill line in the bottle cap (per instructions on the bottle), add to the Downy Ball, seal it and drop it right on top of your fabrics in your top-loader at the start of the wash. (Be sure to use only in traditional—non-HE, or non-high-efficiency—washing machines.) The Downy Ball time-releases automatically so you don't have to wait around for the rinse cycle to begin.
Why use Downy?
Downy helps protect your clothes from a dryer hot enough to cook ribs.
How to add downy to wash?
The Downy Ball is the easier, more convenient way to add fabric conditioner to your wash. Just pour your favorite Downy fabric conditioner into the ball, seal it, and drop it in. The ball then automatically releases fabric conditioner during the rinse cycle.
Can you throw a Downy Ball in the washing machine?
Now, just toss the Downy Ball into the washing machine!
Does Downy Ball work in washing machines?
No—the Downy Ball only works in top-loading—non-HE, or non-high-efficiency—washing machines. Dryer sheets have numerous benefits, including softening, fighting pesky static cling and adding a delightful Downy scent.
What is a Downy softener ball?
The ball is a self-contained timing device, meaning that you don't have to wait for the spin cycle to insert the liquid fabric softener into a load of laundry. The ball utilizes Newton's first law of motion -- "An object at rest tends to stay at rest ...
Why does the ball stay on top of the water in a top load washer?
Initially, the ball floats on top of the water in a top-loading washer (front-loading washers cannot use the ball because it needs a vertically aligned cylinder for the release mechanism to work). The ball stays this way through the first few normal cycles.
How does a washer ball work?
Once the ball hits the wall, the outer shell is immediately stopped , but the rubber weight can still move inside the ball. The weight keeps travelling with the same momentum toward the wall. Since the weight is connected to the gasket, once the weight reaches a certain angle the gasket is popped and the seal is compromised. At this point, the ball sinks, and the water in the base of the washer flows in to mix with the fabric softener. The mixture then flows out of the ball and into your clothing at precisely the right moment -- and you didn't have to time it yourself!
What happens when a ball travels towards the side of a washer?
This is where Newton's first law comes into play. As the ball travels towards the side of the washer, both the hard outer shell and the rubber weight in the center are travelling at a certain speed and in a certain direction -- they have momentum.
What law does the ball use?
The ball utilizes Newton's first law of motion -- "An object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force" -- in an ingenious way to dispense the liquid at the correct time during the wash. Advertisement.
How does a fabric softener ball work?
The liquid fabric softener is kept inside the ball by a rubber gasket connected to a rubber weight that hangs toward the center of the ball. The seal that is formed can withstand a fairly hefty force, which you can see for yourself if you try to open it.
Can you use downy ball with fabric softener?
Using the Downy Ball made doing my laundry a cinch, I just simply fill this ball with fabric softener and throw it in with my wash and it distributes the fabric softener for me, so I don't have to wait till the second rinse to add anymore. You can use any fabric softener with this ball and get the same results.
Is the Downy Ball good?
The downy ball is great, when it works. it doesn't work on a consistent enough basis for it to be a good use of money, but it does work. There are too many down-sides for it to be worth it.#N#The ball often doesn't open in time for the rinse cycle, and the wash cycle ends before the liquid is ever released. There's nothing worse than anticipating soft yummy smelling clothing and ending up with a downy ball that didn't open. It's a big dissapointment.#N#It's also a very small thing and cen get lost in a large load of laundry. It can be hard to find and often gets tossed into the dryer (sometimes while still full,) which is bad for the clothing, the ball, and the dryer.#N#I do not recommend this product to anyone. The brand is great, and the product concept was a stroke of brilliance, but the actual design is not functional enough on a consistent basis to be worth anything or even of any use to me.
How to use Downy Ball?
One may also ask, how do you use the Downy Ball? Push the top of the Downy Ball down, so that you can pour the Downy in. Once you've added the Downy, pull the ring tight to close the lid. Now, just toss the Downy Ball into the washing machine ! During the rinse cycle, the spinning action of the washer will open the ball and release the Downy Fabric Conditioner.
Can you use a Downy ball dispenser in front load washing machine?
However, you should not use the Downy Ball in a front-loading washing machine.
Can you use a downy ball in a HE machine?
Generally Not For Use In HE Machines. Because the Downy ball is designed to open up during the final rinse cycle of standard (non-HE machines), you should not use this fabric softener ball in an HE machine. Instead, most HE machines have a fabric softener dispenser in them, and you should use this dispenser instead. Click to see full answer.
