Common Names: Biological enzymes, enzyme cleaners 
Function: Stain and soil breakdown, odor removal, cleaning booster 
EWG Rating: Typically 1–3 (Low Concern) 

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are specialized proteins that act as biological catalysts—meaning they help speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. In the context of laundry, enzymes break down stubborn organic materials like food, sweat, oils, and body soil into smaller, more water-soluble pieces that rinse away more easily.

While enzymes are naturally occurring in the human body (your saliva and stomach use them to digest food), the ones used in detergent are produced through microbial fermentation. Select strains of bacteria or fungi are used to generate specific enzymes, which are then purified and stabilized for use in powdered or liquid form.

These enzymes are highly effective even in small quantities, making them a low-impact, high-performance cleaning ingredient.

Why Use Enzymes in Laundry?

Enzymes address one of the biggest challenges in laundry: organic stains. Surfactants alone are good at lifting general dirt and grease, but they struggle with biological residues like blood, milk, grass, and thickened foods. Enzymes are uniquely capable of targeting these residues based on their molecular structure:

• Amylase breaks starch bonds
• Protease digests protein chains
• Lipase cuts through fat molecules
• Mannanase breaks down plant-based gums
  
  

By selectively breaking these bonds, enzymes release soils from fabric and help prevent them from re-depositing in the rinse cycle.

Another benefit: enzymes are effective in cool or cold water, reducing the need for energy-intensive hot cycles. This makes them ideal for eco-conscious formulations and delicate laundry alike.

Do Enzymes Replace Harsher Chemicals?

Yes, enzymes can help reduce or eliminate the need for many traditional chemical additives used in mainstream detergents.

In some conventional formulas, stain-fighting performance comes from:

• Optical brighteners that artificially mask stains
• Phosphates that soften water but are environmentally problematic
• Chlorine-based bleaches that can be harsh on fabrics and ecosystems
• High-alkaline builders like EDTA or NTA, which may persist in the environment
• Harsh surfactants like SLS/SLES that can irritate skin
  

Enzymes offer a more targeted, lower-impact solution. Rather than masking or blasting stains with aggressive chemistry, enzymes break them down at the molecular level, allowing for cleaner rinsing and gentler overall formulations.

In this way, enzymes serve as both a performance booster and a pathway to safer, more sustainable laundry products.. This makes them ideal for eco-conscious formulations and delicate laundry alike.

Are Enzymes a New or Synthetic Technology?

Enzymes have been used in cleaning products since the 1960s, though their formulation has improved dramatically over time. Early enzyme detergents were prone to instability and could sometimes trigger allergic reactions, especially in industrial settings.

Modern enzyme systems are purified, encapsulated, and optimized to remain shelf-stable while minimizing dust or airborne irritation. They’re now a core part of many mainstream detergents worldwide, from conventional big-box brands to high-performance eco formulations.

Enzymes are classified as bio-based ingredients – they are produced using microorganisms, but the resulting enzymes themselves are not alive. They are simply proteins that perform a specific function, then degrade harmlessly in water.

Are There Health or Safety Concerns?

• Allergy potential: For most consumers, enzymes are safe in rinse-off products like laundry detergent. In rare occupational settings (e.g., factory environments), prolonged exposure to airborne enzyme dust may trigger allergic sensitization.
• Skin contact: In dilute form, enzymes are considered non-irritating and non-sensitizing. Orchard’s formula has been tested on sensitive skin and is non-reactive.
• Respiratory risk: Enzymes are encapsulated to reduce dust and are used in low concentrations. Risk of respiratory irritation is considered very low in normal household use.
  
  

As with all cleaning agents, proper use (e.g., avoiding direct inhalation or extended contact with concentrated powders) is advised.

Environmental Profile

• Biodegradability: Enzymes break down into amino acids and peptides, which are naturally biodegradable.
• Aquatic safety: At concentrations used in laundry, enzymes are not considered hazardous to aquatic life.
• Energy savings: Because enzymes work at lower temperatures, they help reduce energy use across laundry loads.
• Low use rate: A small amount of enzyme goes a long way – meaning fewer raw materials and less packaging waste overall.
  
  

Source and Production

Enzymes used in laundry detergents are produced through microbial fermentation, a process that uses naturally occurring microorganisms (typically bacteria or fungi) to generate specific enzymes in controlled bioreactors. These microorganisms are fed with renewable plant-based nutrients such as glucose or starch, and cultivated under precise conditions.

Once the enzymes are produced, they are purified, filtered, and stabilized into a concentrated form suitable for cleaning applications. This process avoids the use of petrochemical ingredients and does not rely on high-temperature or solvent-based synthesis methods.

Enzyme production is considered low-impact and environmentally responsible. Facilities that manufacture enzymes for use in cleaning products operate under strict environmental controls, and many are optimized for energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste minimization. The result is a biodegradable, non-toxic ingredient that delivers powerful cleaning performance with minimal ecological footprint.

Enzymes in Orchard’s Blend

Amylase
Breaks down starch-based stains from pasta sauce, baby food, gravies, and other carbohydrate-rich substances. Especially helpful for children’s laundry and kitchen linens.

Protease
Targets protein-based stains like blood, sweat, dairy, and grass. Restores brightness and helps prevent dinginess in whites and activewear.

Lipase
Dissolves fats and oily residues from food spills, cosmetics, and body soil. Aids in odor removal, particularly from workout clothes, sheets, and towels.

Mannanase
Breaks down plant-derived gums and thickeners found in modern processed foods (e.g., guar gum, xanthan gum). Useful for toddler clothing and laundry stained by sauces or snacks.

This profile is part of Orchard’s Ingredient Glossary, written to provide information on every component we use.