# Enzyme cleaners?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [February 10, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435 "2010-02-10T16:25:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/1 "2010-02-10T16:25:43Z")
I have a cashmere sweater and recently read a tip in a magazine that said not to dry clean it, but to wash it at home (giving steps on how to do that). The first step is to treat the arm pits and collar with an enzyme based cleaner. I’ve tried to research which cleaners are enzyme cleaners, but have only found products that I can’t find at the store and pet stain cleaners.
So, my question is two-fold: Which cleaners are enzyme cleaners and is there any difference between a pet stain cleaner and something I can use on my sweater?
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### Author:  [@Postariti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Postariti)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/2 "2010-02-11T04:29:41Z")
I found [this](http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html) laundry detergent chart by googling a bit. See if it helps. According to it, Cheer and Tide both have enzymes, so it’s probably a pretty common feature.
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### Author:  [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/3 "2010-02-11T15:16:08Z")
Thank you! You have impressive google fu.
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### Author:  [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/4 "2010-02-11T15:23:40Z")
FWIW I wash my cashmere sweater with Tide on the delicate cycle and it comes out just fine. Of course, it’s just a Land’s End cashmere one and nothing fancy.
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### Author:  [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/5 "2010-02-11T15:57:30Z")
Hey! \*Mine’s \* a Land’s End cashmere!
(Well, then, in light of your success, I’m not going to worry about fancy enyzme cleaners.)
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### Author:  [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/6 "2010-02-11T20:22:27Z")
They were just on sale so I bought another. I love the colors they have.
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### Author:  [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)
#### Post date: [February 11, 2010, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/enzyme-cleaners/528435/7 "2010-02-11T20:53:19Z")
Oh, man. I don’t need to know that… Ok, yes I do. Plus if they’re so easy to take care of, then I’m going to go for it.
Thanks for helping me not be afraid to clean my sweater. 🙂