No need to let that glass of red wine or blob of body lotion destroy your favourite silk shirt – because those hungry little critters called enzymes are on the case!
So far, you may have avoided using enzyme powered laundry detergents and heard that detergents with enzymes cause skin irritations, or that enzymes in detergent damage your clothing over time. But studies show sensitivities are usually caused instead by fragrance or dye.
Again, product testing demonstrates the risk is low and damage may be the result of the washing machine and how it’s loaded. For example, delicates washed with heavy jeans can come out the worse for wear.
While enzymes are safe to use on most fabrics, most experts recommend you test first by rubbing a drop or two in an inconspicuous area of the garment. If you need to wash very soiled items, an enzyme detergent pre-soak in lukewarm water can help break down stains before you pop them in the machine.
For most stains, letting them dry or heating them up, can make them set and be harder to shift. The best time to treat a stain is when it first happens.
Know your enzymes
We have our favourite foods, so do enzymes. And luckily for us, they tend to prefer the dressing to the salad. An effective stain removing detergent should contain:
• Amylase eats starchy foods like rice and pasta
• Mannanase goes for gums like you find in ice cream
• Lipase focuses on fats to remove oil from greasy fast food and cheese
• Pectate lyase targets the pectin component of wine, juice or lipstick
• Protease fights protein-based stains like chocolate, blood or milky coffee
Ultra Power is ecostore’s high performance laundry detergent and stain remover, formulated with this mix of advanced renewable enzymes that boost stain fighting by 20%*.
These renewable enzymes work together to lift even dried-on stains. And if used correctly, they won’t fade colours in natural fibres like silk, wool, linen and cotton. A word of warning though, cotton or silk velvets can be extra tricky, so proceed with caution.
Tip: Remember to follow the directions on the detergent pack and read your clothing’s care label first.
*Results based on front loader performance reports in comparison to regular ecostore laundry liquid
ECOSTORE, 1 Scotland Street, Freemans Bay, T: 09 360 8477, www.ecostore.co.nz
#ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #family #friends #coxsbay #ecostore #laundry