It’s hardly a new product – being on the market for at least one year now – but it’s certainly one of my favourites. Folks, if you haven’t tried Downy Unstopables yet – You.Are.Missing.Out.
Now I suppose this would be a good time to add a disclaimer – if you’re sensitive to fragrance, or have an aversion to having your clothes smelling heavenly for weeks on end – perhaps this isn’t the product for you. But for all those who adore the scent of freshly washed laundry, read on.
Unstopables are marketed as an “in wash scent booster”, which roughly translates to “pebbles of deliciousness that you toss in your washing machine.” They don’t clean; they don’t soften clothes; but hot damn do they ever deliver on the whole scent-boosting phenomena. Currently available in four scents – Fresh, Lush (my personal fave), Shimmer and Spring, the scent beads are dissolved during the wash cycle, infusing your fabrics with lasting fresh scent. Just use a little (or a lot!) and you have total control over the amount of fragrance and freshness.
When I first received the product for review I was skeptical about a) the effectiveness, b) the value for the price ($8.99 per bottle), and c) the effectiveness. Oops, did I already say that? Call me a skeptic, but I’ve been disappointed before by laundry products claiming long-lasting freshness.
After using Unstopables just once, I was hooked. Not only did our clothes come out smelling heavenly, but the fragrance lingered on for days. And days. And days. In fact, when retrieving a pair of jeans from Reid’s dresser – some 2 weeks after doing a kid’s load in the wash – I was overjoyed to be hit with the lush scent of lavender as soon as I opened the drawer. It was glorious! I actually stuffed my face in the jeans and took a deep breath; never before had boys clothing smelled so divine.
The official claim from Downy is that Unstopables will keep laundry fresh for up to 12 weeks. I’m not exactly if this a true statement, but I can tell you this: if you’re only doing laundry every 12 weeks, you have too many clothes. Like, way too many. Hence, I don’t think we’ll ever be able to give it the full 3-month test, but I can certainly vouch for its efficacy up to 2 weeks and slightly beyond.
Aren’t those little pebbles just adorable? I wish our computer screens were scent-enabled.
Since one of my prior concerns was price, I can tell you this: I’ve since purchased two more bottles (on sale for $6.99 each). I was able to get at least 25 washes per bottle (using about a tablespoon in each wash), and so to me, it’s worth an extra 28¢ per wash to get lasting freshness and fragrance. I always break things down on a cost-per-use basis, because it allows me to track where I spend too much money – and where I’m happy to indulge. For Downy Unstopables, I will indulge.
Now since I’m a budding DIY’er, I also questioned where else I could spread the love. The first thing I did was purchase a few organza bags from the dollar store. Then, adding one tablespoon of the scent booster, I secured the top and tossed them into a few of our clothing drawers for an extra hit of freshness (but not the boys’ – they’re too young and too curious to be trusted with them). Next, I took two of the satchels and tied them under the driver’s and passenger’s seats. We’ve had a car air freshener going strong for over a month now! And, the crisp winter air goes a long way to preserve the scent. Finally, I recommend tossing a homemade Unstopable satchel in your luggage while travelling; it will prevent your suitcase from taking on a stale scent from the combination of clean/dirty clothes (especially when you travel with 3 boys like I do).
I sprinkle half a teaspoon when I’m hand-washing delicates, because pretty little garments definitely deserve to smell pretty. I even came across a DIY project on Pinterest which states that you can combine Downy Unstopables with a little water in your candle warmers. However, since I have no desire to take on lawsuits from readers whose homes have burned down, I will not endorse that particular project. (If you’ve done this with success, let us know!)
All in all I am most addicted to this divine little scent booster, and fully recommend it to anyone who loves a lingering fragrance. You can purchase Downy Unstopables in the laundry aisle next to your favourite fabric softeners.
I love Unstopables too. They are sort of on the expensive side but they do work. Thank you for the idea’s. I would never have thought of those. I like the idea of putting them in my drawers and in the car! Brilliant :)
You’re welcome Lee, and happy to hear that you love Unstopables too! I always make sure to buy them on sale :)
Love your title, clever woman! The bags is a great idea — I definitely need to try that!
Please do! You’ll enjoy freshness for weeks!
I live for Downy Unstoppables too! My sister keeps trying to get me to try the Purex ones, but I’m not interested. With things like laundry, you cannot compromise when you find a great scent and it works.
Couldn’t have said it better Freda! Glad we think alike!
I love it too, I thought it was very expensive, but it only takes a small amount. Love the idea of putting a little bag of it in the car!!
It’s not very expensive when you put it in perspective – a little less than a tablespoon only costs $0.20 per use!
Hey Lena!! i was wanting to try these too but…. was afarid it might stain clothes???
Thanks I just might go get some now!!! :)
Please try them Allie! They absolutely do NOT stain clothes!
They don’t stain clothes at all, I’ve tried them on my white sheets!!
I love, love, love this product!!
Yet I haven’t tried them in the car, I will though, thanks for the tip!
You’re welcome! Particularly awesome when it’s cold outside – you get a rush of freshness when the door opens!
I looove the blue scent. I tend to use it only for towels, bedding etc as I dont want my clothes smelling of one scent then me adding perfume to the mix! But I should wash more of my sons clothes ( and hubbys socks!) with it.
Oooh, I’ll have to try the blue scent! I’ll let you know what I think!
Very much agreed! I was hooked from the first time I tried a sample I received in the mail – it is amazing stuff!
Awesome! Glad you love them!
I love this stuff!! I’ve only tried the Fresh and Shimmer and love the Shimmer. I am a big fan of highly scented laundry products, especially for linens and towels. My best friend hates that they are so strong.
Yup, these are definitely not for people who are afraid of a little (or lot) of fragrance!
I saw these at the store and contemplated buying it but now I think I will try it. Thanks for sharing. :)
You’re welcome! Give them a try, Caitlin – I know you’ll like them!
Great tip for the suitcase, that’s a brilliant idea! Lush is my favorite too!
Awesome! Happy you liked my travelling tip – gotta have the suitcases smelling fresh!
I have seen these in the store and wondered what they were for! I think I would like ‘lush’ just because of the name…I love that word. I just remembered that I have a sample tucked away somewhere. I will find it…yes, I will…and my unmentionables will become mentionables haha There is a show called ‘Gavin & Stacey’ set in Wales. If something was wonderful, they called it ‘lush’…eg. red nail polish…oh yes, that’s lush. Does it sound like I am tired and should be in bed sleeping??
Hahaha I LOVE that you LOVE lush! Dig out that sample, you’ll adore them!
Gotten a couple samples of these in the mail, they do smell very nice! I love your idea to put them in the little bags to stash in drawers & in the car – so smart!
Thanks Nicole! Enjoy!
Hello, Lena. I enjoyed this article. Many different uses besides the wash machine. I do not mind scents but have a hard time with allergies in terms of scents. After reading your article I have a better idea of how to control the amount of the scent. I might just give this a try after reading your article, Lena.
That’s awesome Michelle! A little goes a long way, and I’m hoping that you love the product as much as I do :)
I have a sample pack lying in my house somewhere that i have yet to use… now you’ve just made me want to do laundry just to try this out myself! Or maybe I should do your DIY method! Hmmm.. you make these sound like they’re so fun!
Splendid! I’d say give them a try in the laundry first – you won’t be disappointed Jenny!
I love unstoppables.
I am going to try it as a car freshner!
Thanks Lena
You’re welcome Tania!
Oh my goodness…I looked them up on line and found myself trying to sniff! Now That’s Marketing!! I loved the “little” bag idea. I have a truck that I keep off season clothes in and it would benefit greatly from one of those little treasures! Good tips, thanks.
ah..not a truck… :D a Trunk!!
LOL I would love to have a truck of off-season clothing!!! But yes, these are perfect for stashing in those little bins and trunks!
love these. we got several free samples and used them all. we wont buy them partially because of the price. i hate to say it but we can have great smelling laundry by buying nicely scented laundry soap like gain.
That’s certainly an option Francine! I just love the Lush scent so much – and it can’t be duplicated by laundry detergent :)
i’m a hardcore P&Ger after working for them for 7 years … but so far i haven’t tried these yet. i don’t use fabric softener just the sheets
Ah, you simply must try these Angie! I insist – you’ll love them.
These are awesome! I had a free sample from P&G and tried them out, went out and bought every scent the next day!!
That’s so awesome Calleen! So happy you love them!
So I put a small bag of it in the car under the seat yesterday, and this morning the car smelled wonderful!!
Amazing! So happy you tried it out!!
I love love love Downy Unstopables! I actually tried them on YOUR recommendation over Christmas Lena – I saw one of your tweets and decided to pick them up at our next Walmart run. Now I’m addicted! Shimmer is our favourite scent!
So amazing! Thanks Carlee – and enjoy!
I got these as a sample online and I love them but not worth the money for me at the moment. Great product though!
Good to know Mandy – just remember you can control the amount you use, and a little goes a long way!
Unstoppables are amazing! I washed my entire linen closet with them to test the effectiveness and i can say i could still smell them after a month but not so much beyond that when i opened the linen closet lol
sweet little DIY project. I would use this more in the dark dreary winters. In the summer I love to hang my clothes out on the retractable line I have.