In the daily operation of the laundry shops, the sebum protein stains on the collar and cuffs, as well as stubborn stains such as blood, milk, and sauce, are often difficult to remove with traditional laundry detergents. They often need strong scrubbing or chemical bleaching, which has low efficiency and easily damages the textiles. The appearance of the enzyme provides a high-efficiency, mild, and eco-friendly biological solution. Deeply knowing the action principles of the enzymes helps industry practitioners transform from the experience-oriented type to the science-oriented management so as to improve the cleaning rate, reduce operational costs, and better care for customers’ clothes.
Mystery of Enzymes
Enzymes are proteins that have biocatalytic activity. They are highly efficient catalysts in life activities. Its action mechanism is similar to “one key opening one lock”, and the unique three-dimensional structure of each enzyme can only precisely bind to specific substrate molecules.
- High-efficiency catalysis
The catalytic efficiency of enzymes is very high. A very small amount can catalyze millions of reactions in a short time, so it can have a great decontamination effect.
- High specificity
Protease only breaks down proteins, lipase only targets fats, and amylase only hydrolyzes starch. Their specificity won’t damage the fabric fibers (cotton, linen, polyester…) when they are used to remove stains. As a result, they are better than the chemical bleaches.
- Mild effect
Enzymes can do their best in normal temperatures or at relatively low temperatures. Its reaction is biological decomposition instead of chemical corrosion. The damage to the color of the textiles and fibers is really small.
In the washing process, enzymes can precisely lock in the large stain molecules and break them down into water-soluble small molecules. Their being washed away by the water flow helps achieve deep cleaning.
Enzymes can precisely target the large molecules of stains, break them down into small molecules soluble in water, and wash them away with the water flow, achieving deep cleaning.
Common Types of Enzymes
Modern enzyme-added laundry powders are mostly composed of multiple enzymes to deal with complex stains.
- Protease
It is used for treating protein-based stains: blood, milk, and sweat.
It breaks down proteins into small-molecule peptides and amino acids by hydrolyzing peptide bonds and disrupting the stain structure.
- Lipase
It is used for treating oil-based stains: cooking oil, sebum, and lipstick.
It decomposes triglycerides into hydrophilic glycerol and fatty acids so that they can be easily removed by surfactants.
- Amylase
It is used for removing starch-based stains: rice and sauces. It hydrolyzes starch molecules into soluble sugars, removes the stains, breaks down their stickiness, and releases other encapsulated dirt.
- Cellulase
It is used on the surface of cellulose-based fibers: cotton and linen.
By removing fine pills caused by wear and tear, it restores the fabric’s smoothness and softness, releases embedded pigment stains, and improves color vibrancy.
- Mannanase
It is used for breaking down gummy viscous substances in stains: gum and ice cream.
This helps solve traditional laundry challenges.
- Synergistic Effect
The combined action of multiple enzymes achieves a “1+1>2” effect. For example, if protease and lipase work together to clean mixed stains of sebum, protein, and oil on collars, the result will be better.
Scientific Guidelines
The activity of enzymes is greatly affected by the environment, so the scientific usage is very important.
- Temperature control
The best reaction temperature of most enzymes used in the laundry industry is between 40℃ and 60℃. 40℃ is regarded as the golden temperature for balancing the stain removal efficiency and energy consumption. Enzymes are proteins. High temperatures will cause them to become denatured and inactive. The hot water whose temperature is over 60℃ should be avoided. When facing stubborn stains, using cold water or normal water (lower than 40 degrees Celsius) for long-time soaking is an effective strategy because it allows enzymes to continuously act to break down the stains.
- Taboo
The fibers of silk and wool clothes are actually proteins. Protease in enzyme-added laundry powders will damage them and cause a decrease in strength and loss of luster. When this kind of clothes is washed, neutral detergents or silk/wool-specific detergents should be chosen.
- pH value
Most enzymes used in the laundry industry are most active in the weakly alkaline environment, which is the same as the laundry environment produced by the laundry powders. As a result, there is generally no need for additional adjustment.
Kingstar Washing Machine
Although laundry shops sufficiently release the potential of the enzyme-added laundry powders, the laundry equipment that can provide a precise and stable washing environment is necessary. Kingstar Washing Machines SHS 2025P is exactly the ideal choice.
- Precise temperature control system
The Kingstar washing machine SHS 2025 has a highly precise temperature sensor and an intelligent heating system. It can precisely control a wide range from cold water to hot water. Its 40℃ constant temperature washing program is specially optimized for the enzyme washing. The program provides a continuously stable environment for the enzymes, ensures the peak activity of the enzymes, and fully activates their potential for removal.
- Gentle agitation of water flow
Kingstar washing machines SHS 2025 can simulate the gentle beating of hand washing. This ensures clothes tumble fully and detergent contacts stains evenly. It avoids fabric damage from intense friction and helps the full reaction between enzymes and stains. The efficient cleaning and fabric protection can be achieved.
- Pre-soaking programs
This program can set pre-soaking treatment for special stains and soak them at the best temperature for a long time. This saves enough time for enzymes to act and improves the removal of stubborn stains.
Conclusion
For modern laundry shops, enzyme-added laundry powders are the core technology for improving the service quality and operation efficiency. From understanding the principle of enzymes, mastering the collaborative decontamination mechanism, obeying the standards for use, to using professional equipment like the Kingstar Washing Machine SHS-2025P to achieve scientific washing. This complete chain of scientific washing is the key for laundry shops to stand out in the market competition. Embracing biological technology can make the laundry more efficient, more eco-friendly, and more intelligent.
