Food/Groceries

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Downy (Not So) Unstopables: From 84 Days of Freshness to Just One?

In what appears to be another case of skimpflation — the watering down of a product — P&G may have dramatically reduced the freshening power of its in-wash scent booster, Downy Unstopables, that you toss in the washer.

Since its introduction in 2011, the company has claimed that the fresh scent absorbed by clothing washed with Unstopables lasts for up to 12 weeks in your closet.

2012 commercial

In 2025, however, the packaging and claims have changed to a promise of only 24 hours of freshness.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Downy Unstopables old-new


2025 commercial

Why in the world would Procter & Gamble, in essence, dilute the freshness imparting capabilities of the product so dramatically? Do they really think consumers would prefer a short-lasting fresh scent to a long-lasting one (if they want any at all)? We asked P&G some very pointed questions about the change, but they did not respond.

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Here We Shrink Again – Winter 2026 – Part 2

We continue this week spotlighting some of the various products that were reduced in size toward the end of last year.

Krusteaz Buttermilk Pancake Mix

Gene B. found a great example of a product — Krusteaz pancake mix — that was substantially downsized by over 20% without any reduction in price. And the packages head-on look the same. Thanks also to David S. who spotted the change.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Krusteaz pancake mix

Hungry Jack Syrup

Well, if you get fewer pancakes out of your pancake mix, you also need less syrup. So the makers of Hungry Jack put the old fellow on a diet it seems by reducing their large bottles by 13% — from 27.6 ounces down to 24.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Hungry Jack syrup

Post Premier Protein Cereal

The attack on breakfast products continues with several varieties of Post protein cereals recently shrinking. The 11-ounce boxes became just 9 ounces, but to look at them side-by-side, they look the same size. Thanks to Jeff W. for sending the picture of the chocolate variety.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Post Premier Chocolate cereal

Post Premier cereal

Flamingo Estate Shampoo

Gabriel C. found that a favorite and very expensive shampoo ($50 bottle) had downsized from almost 17 ounces to only 12 ounces. And almost unbelievably, the price stayed the same. Were they really not making enough profit that they had to shrink the $50 bottle???

*MOUSE PRINT:

Flamingo Estate shampoo

Hershey’s Snack Size Chocolate

Grant in Iowa discovered that Hershey’s snack size chocolate lost almost two ounces per bag, going from 19.8 ounces down to 18 ounces.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Hershey's snack size

If you find a product that has recently been downsized, please take a picture of the old and new version side-by-side if possible and send it to: Edgar(at symbol)MousePrint.org . Thanks.

Updated every Monday!   Subscribe to free weekly newsletter.

Here We Shrink Again – Winter 2026 – Part 1

We kick off the new year with some more products that were downsized over the past six months or so. Shrinkflation is alive and well and will continue in 2026.

Viva Paper Towels

Like other brands of paper towels, Viva shortened their rolls last year, going from 94 sheets on the old double rolls to just 86 sheets. Thanks to Richard G. for this submission.

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Viva 94-86

Mary’s Gone Crackers

Gregg Z. was very unhappy to see that his favorite crackers that he has been eating for 17 years was hit by shrinkflation. It survived in its original size until the current owner recently reduced the contents by over 25%.

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Mary's Gone Crackers

Atkins Protein Bars

Ace product investigator Richard G. found another shrinking product. This time it is Atkins protein bars that seem to have gone on a diet. The old five pack is now a four pack. Now if only losing 20% of your own weight was that simple…

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Atkins protein bars

Charmin Mega Rolls

Continuing its downward trend, Charmin Ultra Soft mega size packages dropped 16 sheets from each roll, going from 224 sheets to just 208. Thanks to Brendan B. and Richard G. for this find.

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Charmin ultra soft

Finish Ultimate Dishwashing Pods

At a visit to Target, MrConsumer did a double-take when he saw identical size boxes of Finish dishwashing detergents but one had 76 pods and the other just 62. And the larger package was cheaper!

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Finish dishwashing pods

Scotts Turf Builder

Shrinkflation is not limited to grocery products. Christopher D. discovered that fall weed and feed fertilizer from Scotts made a major change to his product. The bags decreased by three pounds making it only cover 4,000 square feet instead of the old 5,000 square feet. He also noticed that the percentage of nitrogen decreased. Even with all these decreases, the price did not go down at his store.

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Scotts Turfbuilder

If you find a product that has recently been downsized, please take a picture of the old and new version side-by-side if possible and send it to: Edgar(at symbol)MousePrint.org . Thanks.