Scent Beads for Beginners: What They Do and How to Use Them
If you love the smell of fresh laundry but wish it lasted longer, you should try scent beads! Downy Unstopables, Downy Light, and Downy Infusions scent beads are small but powerful fragrance boosters designed to infuse your laundry with long-lasting scent – helping your clothes, towels, and linens stay fresh for weeks.
What are scent beads?
Scent beads are in-wash fragrance boosters that dissolve during the wash cycle to infuse fabrics with scent. Unlike detergent or fabric softener, they don’t clean or soften clothes, but they do deliver a lasting scent that lingers even after your clothes are folded, stored, or worn. You can think of them as a freshness boost for your laundry.
How do I use scent beads?
Pour the desired amount of scent beads directly into the empty washer drum before adding your laundry. Use more beads for a stronger fragrance or less for a lighter scent. The beads dissolve in water during the wash cycle, so they need to go in at the beginning. Don’t place them in the dispenser tray. One capful is a good starting point for most loads.
Can I use scent beads with other laundry products?
Absolutely. Downy scent beads are designed to work seamlessly with your detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, and other Downy products. They’re often paired with Downy Fabric Softener for softness and scent, or with Downy Rinse & Refresh for deep-clean freshness plus fragrance.
Are scent beads safe for all fabrics and machines?
Yes. Downy scent beads are safe to use in all washing machines, including HE (high-efficiency) models, and in any water temperature. They are color-safe, fabric-safe, and designed to leave no residue behind. You can use them on everything from workout gear to towels to bedding.
Do scent beads replace fabric softener?
No, scent beads are designed to add fragrance only. They don’t condition fabric fibers or help with fading and fuzzing like softeners do. For the best combination of softness and scent, use scent beads in the drum and fabric softener in the softener dispenser.
What’s the difference between Downy Unstopables, Downy Light, and Downy Infusions?
All Downy scent beads work the same way, but each collection offers a different scent profile:
● Unstopables: Bold, fresh scents designed to last for weeks
● Downy Light: An airier scent experience with no dyes or heavy perfumes
● Downy Infusions: Scented blends with mood-inspired notes like Calm (lavender and vanilla) and Bliss (amber and rose)
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