The kit · enzyme
Enzyme laundry detergent: what it removes and where never to use it
Laundry detergent may contain protease, amylase, lipase or other enzymes; check the actual formulation and fabric restrictions.
- pH
- 8–10
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 5 materials
- UK name
- biological (bio) detergent
01 How to use it
Pretreat or wash only as the detergent and care labels permit, using the stated dilution and contact time.
- Enzymes work best between about 20 and 40 °C; very hot water deactivates them.
How it works
Enzymes act on particular substances: proteases on proteins, amylases on starch and lipases on fats. Suitable temperature and pH depend on the enzyme formulation; follow the product label.
On a label
On an ingredient list, enzyme laundry detergent shows up as surfactants plus enzymes named protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase or subtilisin.
Enzyme laundry detergent is ruled out on a wool sweater, silk, a wool rug, leather and suede. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Protein
- Starch
- Oil and fat
- Sugar
- Tannin
- Oil-soluble pigment
Enzyme laundry detergent is strongest against protein and starch, and useful on oil and fat and sugar. It is part of the method in 398 stain files, for stains such as red wine, coffee, tea, cola, orange juice and beer.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wool and cashmere | Never | Protease enzymes digest protein, and wool, cashmere and silk are protein. Use an enzyme-free wool wash. |
| Silk | Never | Protease enzymes digest protein, and wool, cashmere and silk are protein. Use an enzyme-free wool wash. |
| Wool rug | Never | Protease enzymes digest protein, and wool, cashmere and silk are protein. Use an enzyme-free wool wash. |
| Leather | Never | Laundry detergent strips leather finish and oils; use a leather cleaner. |
| Suede and nubuck | Never | Laundry detergent leaves suede stiff and water-marked. |
| Clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Linen | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | Fine for most babies; choose fragrance-free and rinse well if your baby has sensitive skin. |
| Polyester | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Carpet | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| Car seats | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| Mattress | Test first | Dilute it and rinse thoroughly; detergent left in carpet or upholstery turns into a dirt magnet. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Marble | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Granite | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Quartz countertop | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 How the files use it
Enzyme laundry detergent appears in 398 stain files. The steps it is used in most:
- Wash and check (253 files): A full wash removes the loosened stain and any product residue.
- Enzyme pre-treat (119 files): Enzymes digest the protein and fat that ordinary washing cannot shift, and they work best in cool water.
- Wash cold, inside out (56 files): Cold water and inside-out washing protect indigo while removing the treatment.
- Cool wash, no softener (33 files): Heat and softener damage elastane and trap residue in synthetic fibres.
- Wash and rinse twice (25 files): An extra rinse leaves no product residue against baby skin.
05 Mixing
The combinations people ask about most, and what actually happens.
- Can you mix chlorine bleach and enzyme laundry detergent? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix white vinegar and enzyme laundry detergent? Backfires a weaker wash
- Can you mix baking soda and enzyme laundry detergent? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix oxygen bleach and enzyme laundry detergent? Caution a product-dependent combination
06 Files that use it
- Red wine on clothes
- Coffee on clothes
- Tea on clothes
- Cola and soda on clothes
- Orange juice on clothes
- Beer on clothes
- Matcha on clothes
- Grape and cranberry juice on clothes
- Tomato sauce and ketchup on clothes
- Turmeric and curry on clothes
- Mustard on clothes
- Grease and cooking oil on clothes
- Butter on clothes
- Chocolate on clothes
- Berries on clothes
- Beetroot on clothes
- Gravy on clothes
- Salad dressing on clothes
- Egg on clothes
- Ice cream on clothes
- Soy sauce on clothes
- BBQ sauce on clothes
- Avocado on clothes
- Peanut butter on clothes
- Foundation and concealer on clothes
- Lipstick on clothes
- Mascara and eyeliner on clothes
- Nail polish on clothes
- Self-tanner and fake tan on clothes
- Hair dye on clothes
- Sunscreen on clothes
- Deodorant marks on clothes
- Sweat and yellow underarm stains on clothes
- Bronzer, blush and eyeshadow on clothes
- Perfume on clothes
- Hair and body oil on clothes
- Blood on clothes
- Urine (pets and people) on clothes
- Vomit (pets and people) on clothes
- Breast milk on clothes
07 Questions
What stains does enzyme laundry detergent remove?
It works best on protein, starch, oil and fat and sugar, which is why it appears in the files for red wine, coffee, tea, cola and orange juice.
How do you use enzyme laundry detergent safely?
Pretreat or wash only as the detergent and care labels permit, using the stated dilution and contact time. Enzymes work best between about 20 and 40 °C; very hot water deactivates them.
What should you never mix with enzyme laundry detergent?
This reference cannot establish that any commercial cleaner has no dangerous mixing partner. Do not combine cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use; rinsing alone does not establish compatibility for later treatment.
Where should you never use enzyme laundry detergent?
On a wool sweater, silk, a wool rug, leather and suede. Protease enzymes digest protein, and wool, cashmere and silk are protein. Use an enzyme-free wool wash.