How to Clean with Enzymatic Cleaners

Thank you to Naturally It’s Clean for sponsoring this post on how to clean with enzymatic cleaners. 

What is an Enzymatic Cleaner?

An enzymatic cleaner is any cleaner that uses enzymes for stain removal. How the enzyme cleaners work is through a microbial process utilizing bacteria to create enzymes, which are large protein molecules found in all living things.

When bacteria create enzymes, they’re used to speed up the breakdown process that turns biological waste into tiny molecules for the bacteria to feed on (like all the food and grime our kids leave everywhere). Contrary to popular belief, enzymes are not living organisms, but they’re the byproducts of living organisms.

There are primarily 4 types of enzymes used in enzyme cleaning products:

  1. Amylases convert starches and glycogen down into simple sugars.
  2. Cellulases convert cellulose into glucose.
  3. Lipases break down fats into fatty acids and into alcohol.
  4. Proteases break down proteins and peptides.

Naturally It’s Clean has been honing and refining their enzyme cleaner formulas to try to create the best enzymatic cleaners on the market.

Why You Should Use an Enzymatic Cleaner?

Naturally It’s Clean enzymatic cleaners are made from plant-based enzymes. This means they’re non-toxic, non-acidic, non-caustic and don’t contain petrochemicals. Enzyme cleaners are safe for you, your family, your pets and the environment. Not to mention, enzymatic cleaners are well known for not staining or ruining fabrics and surfaces.

This is opposed to conventional cleaners that use petrochemicals, acidic solvents, caustic solvents and surfactants to break down stains. Often harsh chemical cleaners are not only toxic to the touch and extremely toxic to breathe in, but they are also notorious for discoloring carpet, furniture and all sorts of surfaces.

Is it really “clean” if it was cleaned with a toxic cleaner?

The non-toxic properties of enzymatic cleaners alone is a solid reason to use them.

Do Enzymatic Cleaners Actually Work?

Yes, enzymatic cleaners often outperform conventional cleaners on stains from food, blood, urine, grease, oil as well as other organic and inorganic stains. I can’t forget to mention red wine… the Naturally It’s Clean carpet cleaner saved our carpet from a half a bottle of red wine that my dear husband spilled on our light brown carpet.

The enzymes given off by bacteria speed up the breakdown of substances on a molecular level. This allows the bacteria to metabolize/ eat the substances… pretty much right in front of your eyes (with the byproducts being carbon dioxide and water). That translates into easy to clean up.

I’m so glad we didn’t resort to a conventional cleaner when he dropped the bottle of red wine. Surfactants often spread stains because they allow water into fabrics with the idea that the water will take the stain molecules to the acidic, caustic or petrochemical cleaning solution. While this can work, one often-reported side effect of using a conventional cleaning solution is they tend to spread the stain and cause fabric discoloration.

Why Do I Use Enzymatic Cleaners?

Enzymatic cleaners are all the rage right now, but they haven’t always been.

House cleaning is something we all have to do, and when we have kids, the messes can get real. Unfortunately, many conventional cleaning products contain ingredients that are toxic to touch or breathe in.

I didn’t think much about that before having kids, but once I became a mom, I got laser-focused on making healthier choices for my family. That meant looking at our cleaning schedule and the products we were using around our kids.

If you’re in the same boat… just looking for ways to make your home safer and healthier for your family, you’ll definitely want to take a look at your favorite cleaning products. Choosing safer cleaners is one easy swap to make in your home.

Why I Chose Naturally It’s Clean?

I’ve been making DIY cleaning products for several years now, and using store-bought non-toxic cleaning products even longer. Over the years, I have tried a good majority of the natural cleaning product brands on the market. I’ve liked some, hated many and loved only a few.

I met the brand Naturally It’s Clean at Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim several years ago. It’s one of my favorite conferences to attend every year because I always discover so many amazing new brands.

What first caught my eye in the Naturally It’s Clean booth as I was walking by was their enzyme-based carpet stain remover. I stopped in to talk to the team, and they were so passionate about what they do. They gave me a bottle of the carpet cleaner to take home and try.

I honestly didn’t see how enzymes could clean the messes my little girls would leave so frequently for me on the carpet. But… it did. Time and time again, the enzymes cleaned the stains from the carpet, including that big red wine spill.

I was shocked, and super pleased that it lived up to its claim of best enzyme cleaner for carpet. We’ve kept a bottle of the Naturally It’s Clean Carpet Stain & Odor Remover under the sink ever since.

3 Things You Need to Know About Naturally It’s Clean Enzymatic Cleaners

All of the Naturally It’s Clean products have these three things in common:

  1. Their cleaning products are non-toxic. They’re not only safe for the planet, but they’re safe for people too.
  2. Their products are not only safe, but they’re effective… they actually work.
  3. The reason they’re so effective is they’re an enzyme-based cleaner. And enzymes just clean better.

Since enzymes are naturally produced, they’re also biodegradable. Naturally It’s Clean products are non-toxic and safe to use around children. They’re also shelf-stable as enzymes are not living things themselves.

List of Enzyme Cleaners We Use from Naturally It’s Clean

Naturally It's Clean line of enzyme based cleaners lined up on the kitchen counter

I’ve had the opportunity to try each of the Naturally It’s Clean Enzymatic Cleaners over the last several years and I’ve been pleased with how they work. Here’s a bit about how we use each of them in our home.

1. Mildew Cleaner

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Mildew Stain Remover

An enzyme mildew cleaner that works and leaves your bathroom smelling fresh. I think most homes deal with mildew in the bathroom. When you clean with bleach or other harsh cleaners, you may be killing the mildew, but you’re also possibly causing harm to yourself. The fumes that come from many conventional cleaners can be quite harsh on the lungs.

Naturally It’s Clean Mildew Cleaner is enzyme-based, so there are no harmful fumes to worry about while you’re cleaning.

2. Toilet Cleaner

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Toilet Cleaner

A lot of toilet cleaners contain sodium hydroxide or “lye”, which is extremely toxic and corrosive. You do not want to touch or breathe in lye – and you do not want it around your children either.

Since the Naturally It’s Clean Toilet Cleaner is enzyme based, I don’t have to worry about getting chemical burns or breathing it in. I feel so much safer when using this enzyme toilet cleaner.

3. Glass & Stainless Cleaner

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Glass & Stainless Cleaner

This natural enzymatic cleaner works very well on our mirrors and windows. It doesn’t leave any streaks or residue and I feel safe letting my kids clean with it.

You can also use the Naturally It’s Clean Glass & Stainless Cleaner on your electronics like phone and tablet screens, computer monitors and other glass, chrome and aluminum surfaces. The cleaner is PH neutral and contains no alcohol or ammonia so you can safely clean your sensitive electronics.

4. Laundry Stain Remover

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Laundry Stain Remover

I have two active and messy little girls, and I’ve tried just about every stain remover under the sun. The Naturally It’s Clean Laundry Stain Remover works extremely well. It’s a great odor eliminator as well as stain remover.

I love that when there’s a stain on laundry in the house, the girls can apply the laundry enzyme cleaner themselves. One less thing for me to worry about.

5. Carpet Stains & Odor Remover

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Carpet Stains & Odor Remover

As I shared, this was the very first Naturally It’s Clean product I ever used. It’s the only natural carpet cleaner I’ve bought that works consistently.

It doesn’t leave a residue in the carpet, which made me feel so much safer when I had babies and toddlers! You just spray the affected area and you’ll start noticing it working before you even start wiping with a damp cloth.

This enzyme carpet cleaner works on red wine stains, food stains, pet stains and pet odors, urine, grease and ink. You can also use the Naturally It’s Clean Carpet Stains & Odor Remover for upholstery and furniture cleaning, which is an awesome dual purpose.

6. Multi-Surface Cleaner

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner

Everyone needs a good all-purpose cleaner, and this one can be used on all hard surfaces, making it super convenient. If you saw me cleaning the counter in the video, I was using the Naturally It’s Clean Multi-Surface Cleaner.

I’m always so pleased with how shiny our counters are after I use this enzyme spray cleaner. The Multi-Surface Cleaner breaks down oils, fats, grease, food, sugar, and all the grime my kids track in the house. And it works without the need for toxic chemicals in my kitchen.

7. Floor Cleaner

Chrystal holding a bottle of Naturally It's Clean Floor Cleaner

The Naturally It’s Clean Floor Cleaner is the only one of these products that doesn’t come in a 2-pack on Amazon. That’s okay because the enzyme Floor Cleaner is a concentrated product.

It makes 24 gallons of enzyme cleaner for wood floors, laminate, bamboo, cork, linoleum, vinyl, stone, ceramic tile and concrete. It’s economical and it gets our floors nice and clean.

Where to Buy Naturally It’s Clean Products

I really like Naturally It’s Clean for keeping a clean house and the deep clean we get with them. If you haven’t tried their green cleaning products out yet, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised if you do. You can find them in our Amazon Store.

Naturally It's Clean enzyme cleaners lined up on the counter