When washing clothes, it is not enough to separate colours or choose the right temperature and programme: the type of detergent has a much greater influence on the final result than we think. What many people don’t know is that there are products that are especially effective when clothes are covered in sweat, dead skin cells or other organic residues, and which experts recommend for a deeper clean: enzymatic detergents.
This type of detergent is designed to act directly on the most difficult stains and residues, making it a very useful tool for bedding, sportswear or textiles that need a more thorough clean than that offered by a conventional detergent. But what makes it different and when is it really convenient to use it?
1. What is an enzymatic detergent
An enzymatic detergent is a cleaning product that incorporates natural enzymes, proteins capable of breaking down certain types of dirt in a very specific way. The most common are:
- Proteases, which act on proteins (e.g. sweat, blood, skin debris).
- Lipases, which break down fats.
- Amylases, which break down starches and food debris.
In simple terms: these enzymes “break down” organic dirt into smaller fragments that are easier to remove with water, even at low temperatures, something that traditional detergents cannot always do.
2. What is it for
This type of detergent is particularly effective at removing stubborn odours, ingrained sweat stains, food residues or accumulated body dirt. In addition, these products are generally less harmful to the environment than strong chemical cleaning products. However, it is important to remember that enzymatic detergents clean but do not disinfect. Although they reduce the presence of bacteria by eliminating their food source (organic stains), they are not a substitute for a disinfectant when one is needed.
3. When to use
According to experts consulted by the University of Arizona, including environmental microbiologist Charles P. Gerba, germs can survive better when clothing accumulates a lot of organic matter, such as sweat, dead cells, or bodily fluids. This ‘nutritious environment’helps certain microorganisms resist longer between washes.
4. When to use
In this context, enzymatic detergents are especially recommended in situations such as:
- Heavily soiled or sweaty clothing, such as sportswear.
- Bed linen, especially when we sleep with moisture, perspiration or allergies.
- Homes with babies, elderly people or sick people, where the organic load may be higher.
- Textiles that accumulate persistent odours, such as blankets, covers or pyjamas.
Experts also recommend avoiding leaving dirty laundry to accumulate for many days – something that can encourage the proliferation of microbes – and not shaking it to avoid dispersing particles into the air.
5. Precautions and limitations
Although it is safe for most fabrics and domestic uses, there are certain cases where it is best to avoid it:
- Do not use on wool or silk, as these fibres are natural proteins and enzymes can damage them over time.
- Be careful with very sensitive skins: although they are generally safe, some enzymatic detergents can cause irritation if residues remain.
- Do not overuse if the clothes do not need it: for normal washes without organic dirt, a standard detergent is sufficient.
