Diluting Stabilized Enzyme in Laundry Detergent: Performance, Shelf Life, and Shaking
Question
We are using Stabilized Mixed Enzyme (liquid with stabilizer) at 1% in a water-based laundry detergent formula.
We have three main questions regarding diluting this finished product 1:1 with water:
- Will the washing performance remain the same if the formula is diluted 1:1 with water, and we instruct the customer to double the usage amount (from 1% of the original formula to 2% of the diluted formula)?
- Does dilution with water significantly shorten the shelf life of the Stabilized Mixed Enzyme product?
- Should the bottle be shaken well before every use?
Answer
1. Will the performance be the same if the formula is diluted 1:1 and usage is doubled (from 1% to 2%)?
Yes, the washing performance should be the same.
When you dilute the original formula (1% enzyme) 1:1 with water, the enzyme concentration in the new, diluted formula drops to 0.5%.
If you instruct the customer to use 2% of this new, diluted formula (double the original 1% usage), the net amount of active enzyme added to the wash water remains constant:
- Original Formula: 1% (usage) $\times$ 1% (enzyme concentration) = 0.01
- New Formula: 2% (usage) $\times$ 0.5% (enzyme concentration) = 0.01
Since the total amount of active enzyme delivered to the wash water is the same, the cleaning performance should be equivalent.
2. Will dilution with water shorten the enzyme's shelf life?
Yes, dilution with water will significantly shorten the shelf life.
The original Stabilized Mixed Enzyme product is formulated with a specific system of stabilizers and preservatives designed to maintain enzyme activity over a long period at its concentrated state.
- Disruption of Stability: Diluting the product 1:1 with plain water halves the concentration of these essential stabilizers and preservatives.
- Increased Risk: This makes the enzyme solution much more vulnerable to microbial contamination and chemical degradation (e.g., from minerals in the water).
It is highly recommended that the customer use the diluted product within a short timeframe (e.g., 1-3 months) and store it in a cool, dark place to minimize degradation.
3. Does the bottle need to be shaken before each use?
Yes, it is best practice to gently shake or invert the bottle before each use.
Although the product is a stabilized liquid, dilution with water can sometimes cause minor separation, settling, or flocculation of components. Shaking ensures that the enzyme is uniformly dispersed throughout the solution, guaranteeing consistent and optimal performance every time the product is used.
