Enzyme detergent

[paulg]

Hello all. Long time no see.
Do you know a currently available laundry detergent that uses ENZYME?
Reason:
We use linen tablecloths and napkins at Thanksgiving. My trick to getting them clean is to use vintage enzyme detergent (usually PUNCH by the fabulous Colgate-Palmolive Co.)
At any rate - while watching TV on some morning-show, an "EXPERT" at party stuff gave her suggestions as to how to get rid of post-Thanksgiving stains. Use an enzyme detergent!
I was surprised! I thought enzyme detergent was discontinued years ago. That is why I am using 30 year old PUNCH.
So... experts that y'all are, what ENZYME detergent is currently available in the USA so I may buy it?
I'll still try to find PUNCH at estate sales as my Speed Queen is addicted and is experiencing withdrawal pains.
Thanks for any info!

 

[maytagbear]

Tide With Bleach has

enzymes. Sears Ultra Plus (orange box) has enzymes. Most "upper priced" detergents have enzymes. Wisk has them, all does not.

Good luck with Punch, though I doubt if it would be extremely effective after all these years.

The package label SHOULD say "enzymes," if it has enzymes.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[whirlcool]

If your tablecloths are white, you could use FOCA, the Mexican detergent. Start the cycle, then after about 5 minutes stop the washer for 30 minutes to soak. Then continue. Sparkling whites and the stains are all gone. And FOCA is unbelievably cheap!

 

[dirtybuck]

If I remember correctly, don't most of the P&G brands have them?

 

[panthera]

The brands of booster

and detergent which specifically advertise that they are for baby clothes like Dreft) list enzymes against all four stain types susceptible to enzymatic activity on their labels as well as oxygen bleaches.
Had very good luck with them.

Surprisingly, Great Value detergents from Walmart frequently have decent enzymes -

 

[MikeS]

Check The Label

Most detergents today have enzymes listed in their active ingredients, to help compensate for the lack of phosphates and the increased use of cooler water temperatures. (The exceptions are usually the bargain brand products, such as Sun, Purex and Arm & Hammer; and many--though not all--supermarket brands. I like to presoak especially dirty laundry with an enzyme detergent in my washer for at least 30 to 60 minutes before draining and spinning out the soaking water and starting a new wash cycle with additional detergent. Good luck!

 

[dirtybuck]

Got back from Walmart a bit ago and did a detergent enzyme check.
Sun and Purex-no enzymes.

Arm and Hammer and most P&G brands (with the exception of unscented Tide)-enzymes (these include both liquid and powder).

Couldn't really tell with the Great Value brand...ingredients were not listed on the bottle.

 

[launderess]

You're joking, aren't you?

Most every detergent sold in the United States, aside from a few middle and bottom shelf offerings (Ajax, Purex, All, etc) are full of enzymes. Every single variety of Tide and Cheer have enzymes, as do probably every laundry detergent from P&G.

There was a short period when early enzyme laundry products got a bad name and or withdrawn from market due to consumer skin reactions (enzymes weren't deactivated by the time laundry was worn, thus leading some consumers to develop rashes and other skin irritations), and also some enzyme systems actually destroyed textiles. However those bugs were worked out long ago.

Yes, enzymes permit laundry to be done at lower wash temperatures, but even with hot or boiling water temperatures certian stains will not shift easily if at all. Protien, blood, and various other stains need more than surfactants deal with them. Higher wash temperatures do permit better action of bleaches, which can break up and or discolor stains, however the results are uneven.

The most common example of this is "ring around the collar". Those dirty rings that housewives tried scrubbing, boiling, and everything else to shift, and still they remained. Enzyme detergents, especially those in liquid form (better for pre-treating), have all but eliminated that problem for the most part.

L.

 

[sudsmaster]

As I understand it, the big "advance" in adding enzymes to detergents was to encapsulate them (via a special spraying method) inside relatively inert chemicals so that they wouldn't become so readily airborne and breathing in the dust of an enzyme powder wouldn't cause respiratory reactions/problems. That happened fairly early on in the detergent industry. The encapsulation dissolves in the wash, releasing the enzymes to do their job.

 

[supersuds]

So, my question is....where in the world do you get 30 year old Punch?

 

[panthera]

Of course,

washing one's body also is effective at removing ring-around-the collar.

Enzymes came, itched and went in my childhood in the 'States. I first encountered them again in normal use here in Europe in the early 1980's. Between the 140°F 'Warm' 2.5 hour washes, the high phosphate/enzyme/oxygen bleach content and the softened water I was shocked, just plain shocked at how clean my clothes came out, even tho' dirt likes me.

I wish we could skip the next few years tho' - the lower phosphate and then no-phosphate detergents are going to put us back at the horrible level of what the Americans have had to work with for years and our bureaucrats will probably twig to STTP faster than we'd like...

 

[whirlcool]

washing one's body also is effective at removing ring-around-the collar.

My Mother always told us this too. If you wash the back of your neck while showering, you won't have ring around the collar, unless you worked in a charcoal factory.

When I was in college, I was amazed at how little some guys would do to clean themselves while showering. A few would just jump in the water, shake off the excess and then dry off and begin their day. No soap used at all!
Some would use soap, but wash just the bits they could reach.
I always used a very soaped up washcloth. You can reach everywhere then!

 

[paulg]

Great info. Thanks!

Thanks for the great info. I will heed all suggestions and also print this stream out and keep in my laundry room.
... And where do I get 30 year old PUNCH?
Estate sales. God bless 'em.
Thanks!