This is based on this reddit post which has absolutely fantastic information on how to do laundry. If you want more information on enzymes and specifically lypase, the author also has a Lipase List in a google spreadsheet.

Edit: the first link to the reddit post was an incorrect link. Fixed that!

Double edit: Not all steps here are necessary for every load. You don’t always need to pretreat. Citric acid may or may not help your laundry chemistry, that’s fully dependent on how hard your water is and what products you’re using. I also personally don’t separate by color but, I don’t own many colors.

    • GreatWhiteBuffalo41@slrpnk.netOPMEnglish
      7·
      11 days ago

      The heat helps improve the effectiveness of both the enzymes and the surfactants. The longer time it’s in the wash cycle, the more agitation it gets and the more time it’s exposed to the enzymes and surfactants.

      • HerbGrower@slrpnk.netEnglish
        13·
        11 days ago

        Doesn’t high heat denature enzymes and they actually work better at lower temperatures? Plus lower temperatures use much less energy.

        • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyzEnglish
          5·
          11 days ago

          Enzymes are sensitive molecules, and they have some serious limitations. Ideally, the manufacturer would tell you what the optimum temperature is. The rest of the mix tends to benefit from higher temperatures though. If there’s a temperature on the box, it’s probably the sweet spot where different components do their job reasonably well.