Fabric care you can trust
At Downy, we’re honored to be a brand trusted by so many families around the world, and we’re always working to keep your trust. We know you may be interested in what’s in the products you use, so we want to share how our ingredients work and fill you in on the steps we take to ensure that all of our Downy products — from Liquid Fabric Conditioners to Dryer Sheets to Scent Beads to Wrinkle Release Sprays — are safe to use every day in your home (and in ours). You have many reasons to be interested in what ingredients are – and are not – in the products you use, so we’re committed to providing you with clear, accessible, and reliable ingredient information.
Our commitment to transparency
Our commitment to transparency
- Safety is our top priority, and the foundation for everything we do
- We provide people with information about our products that is clear, reliable and accessible
- We have a long history of safety & transparency, and have been sharing ingredient safety information about our products for decades
We’re continuing on the journey, as there is an increasing consumer desire for more information & reassurance
SmartLabel – Total Downy Fabric Care Portfolio now online
On-Pack & Online Ingredient Lists
Fragrance disclosures
All about Downy ingredients
Looking for ingredients in a specific Downy product? Head to theproduct listing page, where you can choose the specific Downy product you’re interested in, and simply click on the SmartLabel® button to learn more about the ingredients in that product.
If you’re looking for a sustainably designed product, check out theDowny Eco-Box which is made with 75% less plastic and 100% renewable wind electricity. And, if you are shopping for sensitive skin, Downy Free & Gentle is our hypoallergenic formula.
What’s in our Downy products?
All Downy products contain 2 or more of the following types of ingredients:
Conditioning agents:
Surround fabric fibers to protect against damage in the washer or dryer and provide outstanding softness. Found in: Downy and Downy WrinkleGaurd Liquid Fabric Conditioners and Dryer Sheets.
Wrinkle release agents:
Help relax fibers to reduce wrinkles in the dryer or in-wear. Found in: Downy WrinkleGuard Liquid Fabric Conditioners, Downy WrinkleGuard Fabric Conditioner Dryer Sheets, and Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray.
Fresheners:
Perfumes and neutralizers keep clothes smelling fresh.
Perfumes — Perfumes give clothes a fresh, clean smell. Found in all Downy products except Downy Free & Gentle Liquid Fabric Softener and Downy Wrinkle Guard Liquid Fabric Conditioner Unscented.
Neutralizers — These ingredients bind to and neutralize malodor molecules to help keep clothes smelling fresh. Found in: Downy Odor Protect Liquid Fabric Deodorizers, Downy Fresh Protect In-Wash Odor Shield Scent Beads, and Downy Wrinkle Releaser Spray.
Stabilizers, Dispersants and/or PH-Adjusters:
Help make sure our products provide outstanding performance from your first to your last use. Found in all Downy products.
All Downy ingredients meet ingredient standards of national and international regulating bodies, such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union Commission.
What are ‘quats’?
Quaternary ammonium compounds, also called quats or QACs, are a class of chemicals with a positively charged nitrogen atom. This chemical structure covers a wide variety of ingredients with different functions. Certain types can be used as disinfectants and antiseptics due to their antimicrobial properties. Other types are used in fabric softeners, hair conditioners, and other household products.
Like with many ingredients, there are many different types of quats that have different uses and benefits. The one used in Downy fabric softener is diethylester dimethyl ammonium chloride, a specific type of quat known as a diesterquat. These are often used as fabric softeners because they can make clothes feel softer and reduce static cling.
The quats used in Downy are carefully selected for their safety and effectiveness and are evaluated thoroughly with the same standards that are used by regulatory groups around the world, such as the US EPA and the EU.
For more than 175 years, P&G has been committed to product safety and the safety of the world we all live in. We take every precaution to ensure each ingredient we use is thoroughly evaluated and doesn't pose a risk to human health.
