New Downy^® Gentle Soft + Fresh Debuts with Audio Romance Series, “Almost Scandalously Soft Stories”

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Downy^®, a trusted leader in laundry, announces the launch of Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh, a new fabric softener designed for consumers who want softness and scent without compromising on gentleness. Supporting the launch is an original audio campaign, “Almost Scandalously Soft Stories,” a series of immersive audio romance stories now streaming on Spotify.

Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh was carefully formulated for consumers who prioritize skin sensitivity in their laundry routine but still crave indulgence. The “Almost Scandalously Soft Stories” campaign reframes softness and freshness as more than functional benefits, positioning them as a sensorial escape. The campaign features four original, 20-minute audiobooks designed to evoke the emotional comfort of soft, fresh sheets and quiet time.

“When you’re constantly caring for others, even a quiet night in can feel a little scandalous,” said Redge Abueva, Vice President, North America Fabric Enhancers, Procter & Gamble. “This campaign speaks directly to those rare, restorative moments our consumers value, and how Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh enhances them. ‘Almost Scandalously Soft Stories’ connects the physical sensation of our new product with the mental escape of a compelling narrative, creating a truly immersive experience.”

The Downy “Almost Scandalously Soft Stories” Audiobook Series

The campaign taps into the rising popularity of audiobooks, a category that reached $2.22 billion in U.S. revenue in 2024, up 13% from the previous year.¹ Romance is leading the way, with 30% year-over-year growth.²

These stories are intimate, cheeky, and designed to bring the experience of Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh to life, while making listeners feel warm, comforted, and just a little thrilled. Listeners can find all four stories by searching "Downy Almost Scandalously Soft Stories" on Spotify.

FEATURED STORIES

• “The Other Bed”
  A woman has strayed far from home for a night of pure indulgence at a roadside motel. A private investigator hired by her husband intercepts her at the laundromat next door. As clouds roll in, they find themselves at the eye of the storm.
• “An Eternal Slumber”
  For centuries, Vampire Vengalina hunted by instinct – drawn to the scent of her prey. But nothing had ever compared to that of her beloved, Abigail. When she finds her asleep on a bed of Downy-washed sheets, Vampire Vengalina’s desire quickly becomes her demise.
• “The Dragon’s Bed”
  Clementine’s perfect night alone in her Downy-washed sheets is interrupted when a hunky Dragon Man crashes onto her balcony. But when a portal opens to his otherworldly bedchamber, she simply can’t resist.
• “Kitchen Heat”
  Friends and business partners, Pilar and Cruz, are used to working together in the kitchen. But tonight, she’ll recruit Cruz to help fulfill her fantasy of an intimate evening between the sheets.

Henry Golding, the acclaimed British-Malaysian actor, narrates “The Other Bed,” “An Eternal Slumber,” and “The Dragon’s Bed,” bringing depth and refinement to the series. Widely recognized for his breakout performance in Crazy Rich Asians, Golding has since taken on a range of roles in films like Another Simple Favor, Last Christmas, and The Gentlemen, demonstrating both range and emotional nuance. His expressive voice lends a cinematic quality to each story, drawing listeners into Downy’s immersive world of softness, intimacy, and escape.

“Kitchen Heat” was written by USA Today bestselling author Priscilla Oliveras, whose work focuses on Latinx characters and communities with warmth, authenticity, and emotional resonance. Her novels, praised for their heartfelt storytelling and cultural depth, bring a grounded and relatable voice to the series.

Narrating “Kitchen Heat” is Diana Holguin, a versatile bilingual voice actor with roots in both Bogotá and Miami. Fluent in both English and Spanish, and with a background in theater and lifelong love for storytelling, Holguin brings cultural fluency and emotional nuance to her performance.

Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh Fabric Softener: A Softer Way to Scent

Downy Gentle Soft + Fresh Fabric Softener is thoughtfully designed with no heavy perfumes or dyes, offering light, lasting freshness and ultra-soft results from the first wash. Dermatologist-tested, it provides a light, lasting freshness without the intensity of traditional softeners.

AVAILABLE SCENTS

• Ocean Mist: Blending crisp rain, soft lily, and warm sandalwood for a clean, uplifting aroma that lingers delicately
• Cherry Blossom: A bouquet of soft petals and gentle sweetness that leaves a refreshingly vibrant yet subtle scent

For more information, visit www.downy.com

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always^®, Ambi Pur^®, Ariel^®, Bounty^®, Charmin^®, Crest^®, Dawn^®, Downy^®, Fairy^®, Febreze^®, Gain^®, Gillette^®, Head & Shoulders^®, Lenor^®, Olay^®, Oral-B^®, Pampers^®, Pantene^®, SK-II^®, Tide^®, Vicks^®, and Whisper^®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.

¹ Publishers Weekly. (2025, June 2). Audiobook sales rose 13% in 2024 to $2.2 billion. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/97920-audiobook-sales-rose-13-in-2024-to-2-2-billion.

² Audio Publishers Association. (2025). Research FAQ. https://www.audiopub.org/research-faq