Enzymes- Break molecule into smaller sections that may be more easily dissolved. Such enzymes suited to laundering usually work best in warm water. So laundry detergent packaging containing instructions to use warm water may be an indication that the laundry detergent contains enzymes.
Temperature- Besides facilitating the the function of enzymes, temperature has other effects on how well laundry detergents (or other solvents) work. By increasing the temperature, the particles in the stain and the solvent are given more energy, causing them to vibrate faster. This assists the solvents in dislocating the stain particles and also make it more difficult for the particles to reattach. But too much heat may sometimes cause the stain to be set into the fibres of the fabric, which makes the stain particles harder to remove. However, cold water may not allow the chemical ingredients in the stain removal solution to do their job properly.
Generations of consumers have washed clothes with the idea that more soap means cleaner laundry. But the sudsy habits are creating messy problems form dingy clothing to worn machines. Making matters worse, the latest generation of detergents are concentrated and so require users to use less product-per-washload than ever before.
Enzymes used in detergents are protein catalysts that consist of long chains of amino acids. They are similar to protein catalysts present in all living cells where they control metabolic processes, convert food nutrients to simple molecules, convert these molecules to energy and to new cell material. As catalysts, enzymes speed up specific chemical reactions, in mild conditions of temperature and pH, without being altered or consumed in the process.
Enzymes function optimally in detergents at temperatures of 20 – 60 degree celsius and within a pH range of 7.5 – 10.5.
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