I Swear By This $13 Rinse That Makes My Boyfriend’s Stinky Rugby Gear Smell Like Vacation

Laundry is the most-dreaded chore on my to-do list, and I know I’m not alone. It’s a task I always put off to the very last possible minute, solely because I hate touching dirty clothes, and I hate having to fold clean clothes even more.

Since moving in with my boyfriend, though, I’ve realized there are levels to dirty clothes—and I’ve never experienced dirty like my boyfriend’s rugby gear. If you’re not familiar with rugby: it’s a high-contact sport with no protective equipment—unlike football—so his jerseys and shorts are usually stained, sometimes torn, and always funky.

My boyfriend’s laundry routine simply wasn’t cutting it, and some clothes would come out of the washer still smelling like they were fresh off the field. That’s where I (and Downy Rinse & Refresh) come in.

Downy Rinse & Refresh Laundry Odor Remover And Fabric Softener, Cool Cotton

Unfortunately, some of my boyfriend’s rugby clothes are too far gone for stain removal (and it’s honestly not worth it anymore, the stain will just come back next week), but at least I can still keep them smelling like an ocean breeze.

The thing that I love the most about Downy Rinse & Refresh is that it doesn’t work like other scented products: the whole point of this fabric rinse is to ensure that the odor and residue that detergent can leave behind are gone, and all that remains is a light fragrance that’s far from overwhelming.

I’ve used both the Cool Cotton and Ocean Mist scents of Downy Rinse & Refresh, but I prefer the Ocean Mist for my boyfriend’s clothes; it’s the perfect addition to our laundry routine, ensuring that our clothes are squeaky clean, smelling fresh, and soft to the touch with every wash.

Downy Rinse & Refresh is honestly my favorite part of my much-dreaded laundry routine, and it’s the only product that I repurchase consistently when it runs out (and sometimes even before it does).

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How It Works

Using Downy Rinse & Refresh is simple: just pour it into wherever you pour your detergent (either directly into the drum or into a product dispenser) and let it do its work during the wash cycle. Because of Downy Rinse & Refresh’s odor-fighting power and fabric softening abilities, I typically skip the fabric softener and stick with just this product and my usual detergent.

According to Downy, Rinse & Refresh is free of dyes and heavy perfumes, making it super gentle on skin. If that wasn’t enough to sell you, it’s also great for all fabric types, so you can have peace of mind deodorizing all of your clothes: from sportswear to delicates.