What enzymes in detergent do
Short answer: Enzymes are proteins that cut certain types of dirt into smaller pieces so they can be rinsed away. Each type of enzyme has its own kind of dirt to work on, which is why many detergents contain several. Here is a simple explanation of what they do and how to get the most from them.
Each enzyme has one job
Some enzymes break down fat, others protein from sweat and food, and others starch. Each enzyme suits one kind of dirt, the way a key suits one lock. That is why several enzymes are often listed on the pack, so the product can tackle several kinds of stains in the same wash.
They work best lukewarm
Most enzymes work best between thirty and forty degrees and are destroyed by boiling water. So washing hotter is not always an advantage for cleaner clothes. At too high a temperature the enzymes stop working. See also bamboo night shorts for women.
Time matters more than heat
Enzymes need minutes to work. A longer programme gives them that time, while a short one can end before they finish. It is often better to choose a lower temperature and a longer programme than the other way round. See bamboo fitted sheets and bamboo sheets for bedding that needs washing often.
Protein from sweat and food
Sweat and food stains contain protein, and that is exactly what enzymes can break down. That is why they are good at tackling stains from food and everyday wear that might otherwise remain. For a stubborn stain you can soak the clothes in lukewarm water with detergent, so the enzymes have more time.
Wool and silk need something else
Wool and silk are protein themselves, so enzymes that break down protein can attack them. Wash these fabrics with a detergent without enzymes and always follow the care label. Viscose and cotton tolerate enzymes at normal amounts. For clothes of mixed materials, read the label and go by the most sensitive material.
Why wool detergent is different
A detergent for wool is made without the enzymes that break down protein, because wool itself is protein. That is the main difference from an ordinary detergent. Use it for wool and an ordinary one for the rest of the laundry. That gives each fabric the wash it tolerates best.
Do enzymes work in cold water
Enzymes work in cold water too, but more slowly. If you give the wash more time, they can finish their job even at a low temperature. A longer programme is therefore an advantage if you wash cold to be gentle on the clothes. Choose a detergent made for low temperatures and follow the dose on the pack.
Small tips for daily life
Measure the detergent by the pack and choose a programme that suits how dirty the clothes are. Do not overfill the machine, so water and detergent reach everything. Do not wash wool and silk with an ordinary detergent. Read the care label, and choose a low temperature and longer time for lightly soiled clothes. That is gentle and effective.
Frequently asked questions
Are enzymes harmful to the fibres?
Not for viscose and cotton at normal amounts. Wool and silk need enzyme-free detergents, because they are protein themselves and can be attacked, so always check the care label before choosing a detergent.
Is that why wool detergent works differently?
Yes. It is made without the enzymes that break down protein, because wool is protein itself. That makes it gentle on wool, and you can use it for the fabrics where an ordinary detergent does not fit.
Do enzymes work in cold water?
More slowly, but they still work. Give the wash more time by choosing a longer programme so the enzymes can do their work, and follow the dose on the pack so no residue is left.
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