The phrase ‘enzymatic cleaner’ comes up quite often in articles and forums regarding stain removal. However, few explain what an enzymatic cleaner is or how to find one. Enzymatic cleaners can refer to laundry detergents, carpet cleaners, and contact lens washes – all of which use enzymes to break down soils and stains.
How Do Enzyme Cleaners Work?
Proctor & Gamble explain enzyme cleaners quite well in their Science In the Box article “What are enzymes and why do we use them in laundry detergents?” Enzymes are proteins naturally produced by all living organisms. This makes them a biodegradable and non-toxic alternative to chemical cleansers. Enzymatic cleaners work on stains, breaking them down so that they can be easily washed away.
There are several different types of enzymes, each of which works on different types of stains. Proteases are a type of enzyme that works on protein based stains, while lipolases work on lipids or fats, and amylases break down carbohydrates and starches.
Benefits of Enzymatic Cleaners
Martin Chaplin of London South Bank University says in the 2004 article “The use of enzymes in detergents” that over half of all detergents use at least some enzymes in their formulas. This is because enzyme detergents are more effective at removing stains such as blood, sweat, and grass than non-enzymatic cleaners. Enzymes act as catalysts, speeding up reactions without being used up by reactions. So a single enzyme can work for a long time on a stain.
Enzymes also lower the temperature needed for reactions to occur. This means clothes can be cleaned at cooler temperatures for shorter periods of time. This helps save energy and is another reason enzyme cleaners are environmentally friendly and thus a safe alternative to chemical-heavy detergents.
Where Do Enzyme Cleaners Come From?
Chaplin says that the enzymes used in enzymatic cleaners are created by culturing a type of bacteria called Bacillus. There are several species of this bacteria used. For the most part only proteases and amylases are used, although lipases are increasingly being used in detergents. Chaplin says there are two main companies that create these enzymes. These are Novo Industri A/S and GistBrocades. However, these enzymes are distributed to a wide range of enzymatic cleaning companies.
Choosing an Enzymatic Cleaner
Many cleaners use enzymes, but its best to choose a cleaner that focuses on its enzymatic action. The first step in choosing a cleaner is to know what's being cleaned. Enzymatic cleaners for contact lenses are different than those used for laundry.
Enzymatic cleaners may not advertise themselves as such. However, a search for organic cleaners will often turn up enzyme detergents. A few brands that can be used on laundry include Seventh Generation laundry detergent, Nature's Miracle laundry detergent, and FInazzle Enzyme-Based Spot Remover.
