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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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Red Sox Sued Over Junk Fees, Misleading Seat Prices

A lawsuit was filed in January by some Boston Red Sox ticket buyers alleging that the ball club for a number of years advertised misleading low prices for tickets but then jacked up the total price by adding various junk fees at the end of the online purchasing transaction.

In the suit [see complaint] the consumers’ lawyers alleged:

*MOUSE PRINT:

The Red Sox’s false advertising centers on their use of drip pricing and junk fees. Specifically, the Red Sox would advertise illusorily low prices for their tickets. When purchasers attempted to buy those tickets, however, the Red Sox would add mandatory fees at the last minute, such as “Per-Ticket Fees” and “Order Fees,” that could increase the cost of a purchase by as much as 150%.

After ticket buyers saw the advertised price for the tickets they wanted and added them to their cart, a countdown clock popped up giving them five minutes to complete the transaction. Only as buyers got close to finalizing their purchase were “per-ticket fees” and “order fees” added to their bill which could substantially increase the ticket price, particularly on cheaper tickets.

For example, one of the ticket buyers in the case was purchasing a $21 ticket, but when the junk fees were added on, the total came to $31.50.

The lawsuit focuses on the 2022 to 2024 baseball seasons. After that state and federal regulations kicked in requiring the complete pricing of event tickets upfront.

In particular the FTC’s Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees went into effect in May 2025, requiring businesses that sell live-event tickets and short-term lodging to disclose the total price upfront.

Similarly, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office issued new junk fee regulations in September 2025 requiring that the initial price shown to consumers be the total price except for shipping and government taxes.

Like Ticketmaster which was sued for similar alleged deceptive practices and subsequently started advertising complete prices upfront, the Boston Red Sox now do the same thing:

Red Sox ticket purchase 2026

You now see the total price including fees when first searching for tickets.

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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.

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