Dispensing ball

Liquid fabric softener has to be added at the correct time to a load of laundry (the rinse cycle) in order to work effectively.

The stronger forces of the later spin cycle causes the seal on the ball to be broken, releasing the liquid softener.

The Downy Ball is a variant sold by Procter & Gamble specifically designed for use with traditional agitator-based top-loading washing machines which lack built-in fabric softener dispensers, and it won't work correctly on front-loading machines.

[3] Liquid fabric softener is poured into the Downy Ball through a hole on the top side.

The ball is then tossed into the washing machine with the clothes and detergent, where it floats in a vertical position, with an internal rubber weight floating inside and trapping the softener inside.