What is an enzyme cleaner and how should you use it?

Enzyme cleaners are the secret stain-removing superpower your clothes, upholstery, and carpets have been waiting for.

These biological cleaners are great for removing organic stains from things like vomit, pet urine, and mud, and you can easily find them at most grocery stores. Here’s what you need to know.

What is an enzyme cleaner?

Enzymatic cleaners use enzymes and bacteria to break down organic stains like urine, milk or grass, although they can also be used to remove common household stains.

Enzymatic cleaners are better than all-purpose stain removers for biological stains because they work to remove stubborn odors and discoloration that often appear when pets vomit or vomit.

“Enzymatic cleaners are specific to the type of stain or soiling that needs to be cleaned,” explains Elizabeth Shields, CEO of Super Cleaning Service Louisville.

“For example, if you have a spaghetti sauce stain on your shirt, the protease enzyme will break down the protein in the stain,” says Shields. “If you accidentally drop buttered toast on your carpet, the lipase will cut through the grease. Amylase is for anything starchy, which is often found in food and drink, and cellulase helps remove dirt and grime from fabrics like curtains or upholstery.”

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Uses of enzyme cleaners

Enzyme cleaners can be used on all types of stains everywhere. Here are the types of stains they can be used on:

• Urine
• Manure
• Blood
• Vomiting
• Other body fluids
• Pet stains
• Grass stains and dirt

Where to use enzyme cleaners?

Laundry and stain removal

Clothes and linens have many difficult-to-remove stains and splatters, including grass stains, blood stains, and urine stains. Enzyme detergents are best for these types of laundry stains.

To use enzyme cleaners on clothing and other fabrics, dilute and apply the cleaner to the stain according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The detergent needs to soak in before you put the clothes in the washing machine – the enzymes need five to 10 minutes to work.

Carpets, Mattresses and more

Enzymatic cleaners are best known for their ability to help clean dirty carpets, upholstery, and furniture, as they can thoroughly clean items and surfaces that cannot be washed. The cleaner can be used repeatedly on biological stains such as mud, pet urine, and vomit until the stain is completely gone.

When using an enzyme cleaner on carpet or upholstery, be sure to vacuum the (dry!) ​​surface afterward to restore the crushed down.

Pet mess

Pet urine, feces, and vomit are some of the unwanted side effects of your four-legged friend. But enzymatic cleaners work wonders for hard-to-remove pet urine (especially cat urine!), as they break down the smelly proteins that remain.

You can apply an enzyme cleaner to the stained area, leave it for five minutes to a few hours, then blot and repeat as needed. But remember that enzyme cleaners are not disinfectants, so you will need to continue using a disinfectant on the stained area after you have finished cleaning.

Bathroom

Bathrooms can have all sorts of organic stains. While bleach or other disinfectants can usually handle biological stains on tiles or glazed surfaces, enzymatic cleaners come to the rescue when similar stains occur on bathroom linens, carpets, and shower curtains.

Enzymatic cleaners can be used on bathroom surfaces just like upholstery or carpets. Don’t forget to disinfect afterwards if the stain is feces, urine or blood.

Tips for using enzyme cleaners

• Enzyme cleaners need to sit for at least a few minutes to work, so don’t rinse them off immediately.
• If a biological stain remains after one or two wipes with an enzymatic cleaner, apply the cleaner to a damp cloth, then place the cloth on the stain and leave overnight before blotting and drying.
• Enzymatic cleaners cannot disinfect. So if you need to disinfect a surface, do it after you’ve cleaned the stain, not before—bleach and other harsh chemicals can ruin the effectiveness of enzymatic cleaners.
• Use the right water temperature with an enzymatic cleaner. “Always use warm water instead of cold,” says Shields. “Enzymes work best at a slightly warm temperature, just not too hot.”