What’s The Difference Between Commercial Bio and Non-Bio Detergents

Do you know the difference between bio and non-bio commercial laundry detergents? 

This guide is to explain the difference between the two, the benefits, and scenarios you might use each type in. 

The Main Difference

The main difference between bio and non-bio commercial laundry detergents is the inclusion of enzymes. 

Biological detergents contain enzymes, which are naturally occurring proteins that help break down and clear away tougher stains like grease, fat, and starch. This makes bio detergents especially handy when it comes to removing food spills, body oils, and stubborn grime, even at lower temperatures.

Non-bio detergents, on the other hand, don’t contain any enzymes, which makes them much gentler on sensitive skins and delicate fabrics. However, this means that using non-bio detergents might see you needing to use higher temperatures to achieve the same level of stain removal as bio detergents on a cooler wash. 

Commercial Bio Detergents: Benefits

On top of being specially formulated to deep-clean items in ways that domestic detergents simply can’t, commercial biological detergents have a few performance advantages over non-bio detergents. 

The main benefit of bio detergents is that it generally removes tougher stains with more consistent results, including common staining from dirt, grease, and fat. The enzymes included are breaking down proteins to improve and speed up the stain removal process. 

Bio detergents also perform much better than non-bio detergents at lower temperatures, leading to energy savings on every cycle, an improved carbon footprint, and reduced utility costs.

Commercial bio detergents are commonly used in a variety of catering and hospitality businesses, including hotels, pubs, and restaurants. 

They’ll also be found in organisations that need to deal with a lot of soiled clothing with ground-in dirt like football clubs, factories, and other industrial businesses. 

Commercial Non-Bio Detergents

People with sensitive skin or certain skin conditions can have negative reactions to the enzymes used in biological detergents. Non-bio detergents are therefore much kinder to the skin and less likely to cause irritation. Non-bio detergents are often preferred by parents or when washing clothes for babies or young children as their skin is naturally more sensitive. 

As commercial non-bio detergents are gentler, they’re also ideal for cleaning delicate fabrics like silk and wool, as these materials contain proteins which the enzymes of bio detergents can damage. 

Commercial non-bio detergents are commonly used in environments like schools and shared accommodations where a variety of different people live, work or study.

The Best For Your Business

Deciding whether bio or non-bio detergent is better for your business will depend on the sector you’re working in, the needs of the individuals who’ll be using the items being washed, and the nature of stains and grime you come into contact with day-to-day. 

Many businesses might choose to have both types of detergents on hand, and ensure their staff are trained to choose the best option for the application. 

GA Commercial’s Four Aces of Laundry Range

Our Four Aces of Laundry range, combined with washing at 40°c and an auto-dosing system, is designed to help reduce your utility costs. 

Our range includes:

•    Pristine Laundry Detergent: A concentrated laundry detergent to clean your washing. This is a low alkaline and mild product that is based on surfactants, sequestrants, and dispersants, with optical brightening agents to maintain colours.
•    Polar Low Temperature Destainer: A low temperature destainer that is effective at destaining and works at 40°c.
•    Elite Laundry Sanitiser: Sanitise every wash load. Conforms to BSEN1276.
•    Infusion Superior Conditioner: Encapsulated motion technology for a longer lasting fragrance and softness with anti-static and easy iron technology.

Use our Energy Saving Calculator here to see how much you could save by making the switch today.

You can also pair our Four Aces of Laundry Detergent Range with an auto-dosing system for best results. To find out more about how auto-dosing works and its benefits, see our Auto-Dosing Blog here.