3D GRIDBUILDING - SCIENCE - BIOLOGY

BIOLOGICAL WASHING POWDERS

Biological washing powders and detergents use lipase and protease enzymes to break down fat and protein molecules from stains, such as food stains, on clothing.


The fatty acids, glycerol and amino acids which are produced are removed in the water during the washing process.


The use of enzymes in detergents has the advantage that effective washing can be carried out in warm water.


Warm water is preferable to hot water because:


1) it is more energy efficient (you don't have to heat the water so much).


2) the dye in coloured clothing is less likely to wash out of the fabric.


3) clothes are more likely to stay the same shape (hot water causes some fabrics to shrink).


Disadvantages include possible allergic response in some people and an inability to remove stains which are not fat or protein based, eg grass or ink.


Anne Evans