Downy Liquid Fabric Softener Versus Ultra Purex Liquid Fabric Softener

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By K Hutchins, published May 09, 2007
Published Content: 88  Total Views: 26,295  Favorited By: 2 CPs
Rating: 4.3 of 5
I use fabric softener in most loads of laundry. Downy is the brand I have always preferred, but it can get rather pricey, even with clipping coupons. I am often unwilling to spend a lot on new products, thinking that I may not like them once I've tried them, and then I would be stuck with the remainder and out the money I spent. When I saw a coupon in my newspaper for Ultra Purex liquid fabric softener, I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be less than half the price of my usual Downy, with my using the coupon.

The store where I was shopping offered only two scents of the Purex brand fabric softener. This was okay with me, since I smelled each of them in the bottle and was satisfied with the scents. I ended up purchasing the Fresh scent, which was pleasant and not at all overpowering or cloying. It came in a bright yellow bottle much larger than the bottles of Downy that I usually purchase. It was also approximately half the cost of Downy.

I followed the directions on the bottle of Ultra Purex and used it on the first load of towels that I washed after purchasing the liquid fabric softener. It is apparently not as concentrated as the Downy, since I was instructed to use more of it than I usually do. I noticed the aroma of the Purex during the wash cycle, and again as I moved the wet towels from the washing machine into the dryer.

One real test for the Purex would be whether it was able to keep static electricity at bay. I ran the dryer through its cycle, then began to remove my towels. I noticed only a few crackles of static electricity. With Downy, however, there is usually no static electricity at all. The towels still had the nice, fresh scent of the Purex and felt soft on my hands.

My towels washed with Downy usually retain their scent and softness for several days after they are cleaned. I was unable to detect the Purex fresh scent, however, as soon as the next day after washing. The towels did appear to retain their softness until I was ready to use them. Downy fabric softener is available in several different scents and formulas. There were only two different scents of the Purex fabric softener available on the shelf at my local store.

Comments
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P&G products are expensive yet dominate the market for a reason -- they outperform the cheaper alternative by a long shot. Purex's detergent and softener do not measure up to Tides/Downey/Bounce. I learned a tip from the internet, where I am using half of the amount of detergent and softener as suggested by P&G. Even at that half amount, it still out performs Purex. Considering the all of the factors of use less and still perform better, I actually think P&G products are more affordable than Purex.

Posted on 08/20/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
I tried the Purex dryer sheets and am very pleased with them. Not only did they do just as well as Bounce and Downy, but they were much less expensive. I do not use fabric softener on my towels because it makes them less absorbent, but on other items (like those really static-prone socks) and did not have a problem with static at all. I don't particularly care if my clothing continue to smell like my softener after I remove them from the dryer, so I haven't noticed them. The only problem is that I have tried to find them again, and can't locate them at Kroger, Dollar General, or Walmart. Are the big name merchandisers keeping it off the shelves? I sure hope not.

Posted on 06/10/2007 at 6:06:00 PM

 
I love this article. You always write great articles. Excellent tips!

Posted on 05/11/2007 at 5:05:00 PM

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