I used Downy for decades without any issues. Then a few years ago I learned about how waxy it is and more likely to cause problems with a washer, particularly if the user does not use the proper amount and do routine hot washes. I switched to Snuggle and was happy with the scent and felt like I was not going to ruin my machine. I currently do not use FS. My intention is to do as dadoes does when we invest in new towels-occasionally use Snuggle. It is a real shame that with all of the formulation changes in detergents and additives that you have to approach doing laundry as a scientist rather than as a homeowner.

Larsi; see that's what I thought about the Gain Sweet Sizzle, I went back to Target this morning and bought a bottle of the Tide HE liquid with a touch of Downy and came home and decided to try it on my sheets. I prayed through the whole wash cycle that it wouldn't come out smelling sickly sweet or I was probably going to go on a cursing rampage. Well, I was so thrilled when I opened the door and that old familiar April Fresh smell was in the sheets; I was like "Now that's the smell I remember!" If the original scent was licensed and they lost that, whatever is in the Tide liquid is close enough for me to be happy. My biggest fear now is that P&G will find out that many of their loyal customers like the scent and change it to that sickly sweet nastiness! :-( I've written several letters (emails) to P&G expressing my displeasure with their so called April Fresh Downy and they said that many of their customers liked it. I wanted to write back: "I call BullSh** on that" Look at the reviews on P&G website, it got what, 1 to 1 1/2 stars compared to the rest which got 3 stars and up, even the Free & Sensitive which I use for things I don't want fragrance on got like 4.5 - 5!! While I'm on my "laundry" soap box: I'm a 40 year old homemaker and have done laundry since I was old enough to reach the washer dials. My mother taught me to tend to my own laundry and she always uses P&G products because they were always so consistent and never sickly smelling. Therefore, I used P&G products continuing after I moved out on my own and had been happy up until whenever that point was where they started changing stuff and making it so gross you want to throw up to feel better :-( Now, I'm on this quest to find decent products, while my mother has reduced to using only Tide Free in her washer. No softener or anything anymore. She told me, that a lot of detergents and such smell like some kind of candy. I told her that was a big gripe her on GW's Laundry Forum. Anyway.....ok, back to my laundry, I'm gonna go wash some throw blankets and stuff and try to relive the good 'ol days. Thanks for input. I don't know what I'd do without this forum. Thank You!! Fletcher

Bright, I did a load of white towels with the new version of Tide with a touch of AF, water temp 133 degrees I also added sodium percarbonate since my towels are white..I used 1&1/2 tabelspoons Downy free. I did let them soak mid way thru the wash cycle for an hour. They felt very soft, not the soft you get from FS, but clean well rinsed soft, and they were fluffy, maybe just a tad fluffier than normal, they smelled devine, clean with almost just a **I'm not sure I'm smelling anything** wiff of old fashioned clean. Just a slight wiff of *the past*. Than I put my whites in to soak over night as usual, hot water, sodium percarbonate, and Powder Tide with AF, this morning when they finially came out of the dryer, same results as with the towels. I can definitely smell just a hint of old fashioned scent. ..I really really like it. Thank you Lisa, I've tried different mixtures of this or that, but your mixture does without a doubt come the closest to the scent of original Tide with classic AF Downy. Good job Lisa!!

I know we discussed this a lot, but Snuggle Fresh Spring Flowers is STRONG in the bottle, but after rinsing and then tumble drying, I really like it. And it lasts, so is nice for sheets and towels. Not lasting in an offensive way, but after a few weeks, they still smell freshly laundered. Silk Touch Downy is SO much better than the new pig with lipstick Downy April Fresh Fabric Protect. It sweet, musty old lady perfume. I hate it!!!