If you've ever Googled why your gym clothes still smell after washing, or why that cooking oil stain survived three cycles, the answer almost always comes down to enzymes — specifically, which ones are (or aren't) in your detergent.
Enzymes are the most targeted stain-fighting tools in modern laundry detergents. Each one is designed to break down a specific category of soil, which is why the enzyme blend in your detergent matters more than most people realize. Here's exactly what's in Dropps' formulas and what each enzyme does.
The 5 Enzymes in Dropps Laundry Detergent
Subtilisin (Protease) — targets protein-based stains Subtilisin is a protease, meaning it breaks down proteins. This is the enzyme doing the heavy lifting on sweat, blood, grass, egg, and dairy stains. Most enzyme-containing detergents include some form of protease — it's the workhorse of stain-fighting chemistry.
Amylase — targets starch-based stains Amylase breaks down starches, making it effective against food stains like pasta, bread, rice, potatoes, and anything with a sauce or gravy base. If your go-to dinner tends to end up on your shirt, this is the enzyme you want working for you.
Lipase — targets oil and grease stains Lipase breaks down fats and oils — the category of soil most responsible for the "phantom smell" problem where clothes come out of the wash still smelling stale or funky. Body oils, cooking grease, sebum buildup, and food fats all fall in lipase's wheelhouse. It's also one of the rarer enzymes in US liquid and pod detergents, making its inclusion in Dropps worth noting.
Pectate Lyase — targets fruit and vegetable stains Pectate lyase breaks down pectin, the structural compound found in plant cell walls. That makes it specifically effective against fruit juices, tomato-based sauces, jams, berries, and wine. It's a less commonly discussed enzyme, but anyone who's tried to get berry stains out of white fabric knows exactly why it earns its spot.
Mannanase — targets food thickener stains Mannanase targets galactomannans — the polysaccharides commonly used as thickeners and stabilizers in processed foods, sauces, condiments, and ice cream. These soils can be invisible to the eye but leave a residue in fabric fibers that contributes to dullness and odor over time.
Why Having All Five Enzymes Matters
Most laundry stains aren't just one thing. A sweaty gym shirt also has body oil. Tomato sauce has protein, starch, and fat. A well-rounded enzyme blend means your detergent can address the full chemistry of what you're actually washing — not just the most visible stain on top.
This is also why Dropps' enzyme formula works effectively in cold water. Enzymes are biological catalysts: they don't need heat to do their job, which means you're not sacrificing cleaning power by skipping the hot cycle.
Taking It Further: The Dropps Oxi Booster
For heavily soiled loads, lingering odors, dingy whites, or fabrics that need a deeper reset, Dropps' Oxi Booster adds a sixth enzyme to the mix: Cellulase.
Cellulase works differently from the other five. Rather than targeting a specific type of stain, it works on the fabric itself — breaking down degraded cellulose fibers on the surface of cotton and other natural textiles. This is the enzyme responsible for reducing pilling, restoring softness, and lifting deeply embedded dirt that's worked its way into fiber structure over time. It's as much a fabric-care enzyme as a cleaning one.
Used alongside your regular Dropps detergent, the Oxi Booster is the step up for loads that need more than a standard wash — think gym gear that's lost its freshness, towels that have gone musty, or whites that have started to gray.
What About Dropps' Enzyme-Free Formula?
Not every load needs a full enzyme assault. For lighter wear, delicates, sensitive skin, or natural fibers like wool and silk, Dropps' enzyme-free Sensitive Skin formula offers a gentler clean that won't degrade fabric over time. The same enzymes that break down stains can also gradually break down fibers if used repeatedly on clothes that don't need that level of intervention.
The smart approach: reach for the enzyme formula when you need stain-fighting power, and the enzyme-free formula for everyday refreshing and gentle care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dropps laundry detergent contain lipase? Yes. Dropps' Odor & Stain formula contains lipase, along with four other targeted enzymes: subtilisin, amylase, pectate lyase, and mannanase.
What does lipase do in laundry detergent? Lipase breaks down fats and oils in fabric, including body oils, cooking grease, and sebum. It's one of the most effective enzymes for eliminating residual odors that persist even after washing.
How many enzymes are in Dropps detergent? Dropps' Odor & Stain formula contains five specialized enzymes, each targeting a different category of stain. The Oxi Booster contains six, adding cellulase for deeper fabric restoration.
What enzymes are in the Dropps Oxi Booster? The Oxi Booster contains six enzymes: subtilisin, amylase, lipase, pectate lyase, mannanase, and cellulase. The addition of cellulase — not present in the standard detergent — helps restore fabric quality by targeting degraded cellulose fibers in cotton and natural textiles.
Is Dropps enzyme detergent safe for sensitive skin? Our Odor & Stain Laundry Detergent product line carries the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) Seal of Recognition, and our Sensitive Skin Laundry Detergent, Unscented carries the National Eczema Association (NEA) Seal of Acceptance - two of the most trusted third-party endorsements for products suitable for reactive and sensitive skin. If you have specific skin concerns, we recommend consulting with your doctor.
Curious about what's in every Dropps formula? Click on "See All Ingredients" on the Ingredients tab on each product page.