How does that little Downy ball know to open in the rinse cycle only?

centrifugal force

The ball has a gasket on the outside, and the square on the insde is actually a weight that keeps it closed.

As the washing machine goes through its cycles the ball floats on top of the water. At the start of the spin cycle, the ball, along with all of the clothing, is pushed out to the sides of the rotating tub. All that spinning knocks the weight around and it finally is lowered opening the ball.

The ball fills with water and sinks. The softener and the water are able to mix and circulate through the tub to apply softener to the clothing at precisely the right moment.

DURING YOUR WASH CYCLE WHEN THE WASHER STARTS EMPTYING THE SOAPY WATER. THE WASHER GOES TO HYPER SPEED JUST FOR A FEW MOMENTS TO SPIN ALMOST ALL THE SUDS OUT OF THE CLOTHES, ITS THEN, WHEN THE DOWNY BALL OPENS TO DISPURSE THE SOFTENER FOR THE BEGINNING OF THE RINSE CYCLE.

i think it fills up with water and by the time the rinse cycle comes around it's full and opens

that is the downy secret now i have to go kill all them others that told you then i will be coming for you

I think it is programmed to open after is has gone around and around for so many spins.

centrifugal force but i know nesia9 will get the 10 pts for full detail lol

It's a time released capsule.

I have used it and honestly. it does not work. Sorry

There are tiny midgets inside who open it up.