What is bio-washing in a washing machine?

You might hear the rather strange term "bio-wash" tossed around in advertisements or from washing machine specialists. The average user, if familiar with this term, is probably only a passing reference. Some claim that bio-wash is a function in a washing machine, others a mode. Let's figure out what this "beast" is and what it's used for.

The Mystery of Bio-Washing

Laundry detergents labeled "contains enzymes" have recently become increasingly popular. Enzymes are active ingredients added to laundry detergent and activated during the wash cycle. Their function is to remove heavy organic stains, typically from food (tea, coffee, juice, vegetables, sauces), as well as human waste products like sweat or blood. This enzyme activation process is called "bio-washing." While it's certainly possible to use this product in automatic washing machines, is it necessary to select a special program?

Manufacturers of standard automatic washing machines are also releasing premium models, which offer an even wider range of features and programs. These include special programs for organic washing.

Important! The main requirement for the bio-wash mode is water temperature: it should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius. Hot water deactivates enzymes and renders them useless.

Do the Bio Wash programs have any other special features? The Bio Wash mode is considered a stain removal stage and is somewhat similar to soaking, essentially a preparatory stage of the cycle. Once the bio-wash has finished, the machine will, without interrupting its operation, proceed directly to the main wash and continue it in the normal mode. In this case, the active action of the enzymes ends before the main wash begins.

Of course, using enzyme-based detergents increases washing efficiency several times over. However, when activating the bio-wash cycle, the machine uses significantly more water and energy, and the special detergents themselves are quite expensive, meaning the family will have to spend a considerable amount of money on this venture.

However, the quality of the washed items is so high that, according to users, it's worth the investment. Enzymes remove stains and eliminate unpleasant odors, leaving laundry fresh and clean after washing, which is especially important for families with children, whose clothes require extra care.

Programs similar to bio-wash

In fact, you don't need to buy a premium washing machine to take advantage of the bio-wash mode. Regular washing machines are full of programs that imitate it or are so similar in features that you can't tell the difference. The only difference is the name.

• Soaking. The most obvious alternative to bio-washing. As expected, this process occurs before the main step. The laundry is rinsed in water no hotter than 30 degrees Celsius, so the active properties of the enzymes are not affected.
• Cotton at 40 degrees. Of course, in this case, the enzymes will have to act on the laundry directly during the main wash, rather than before, but that's okay. There are no complaints about the temperature setting, and cotton cycles are always quite long, so the product will have time to fully demonstrate its effectiveness.
• Silk. Silk fabrics are washed at 30-40 degrees Celsius for an hour. This program is similar in parameters to the bio wash and can be used as an alternative.
• Pre-wash. Also an ideal alternative to bio-wash. The two-hour cycle consists of two stages. First, the laundry is soaked in water at 30 degrees Celsius, then washed according to a preset cycle at a high temperature. During this "soaking" time, the enzymes have time to do their job.

Therefore, if you want to use enzyme-based detergents, you don't need to buy expensive units. A good alternative can be found in any standard washing machine. In any case, the powder must be supplied with instructions for use, where you will find the necessary parameters for its use in SM. Based on them, you can choose the appropriate program.

   

2 reader comments

1. October 22, 2022 at 11:41 PM

   Natalia:

   It's the washing powder, not the machine, that does the washing. That's the whole secret.

   Answer
   • December 19, 2023 at 10:41 AM

     Nina:

     Both the washing powder and the washing machine do the job. I have two washing machines: one has a bio cycle, and I really love its washing. The other is a fancy one, with steam and programs for colors, whites, and blacks. But the laundry turns out immeasurably worse. It's a large machine, so I only wash large items in it.

     Answer