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For decades, cleaning meant one thing: work harder, scrub longer, and reach for stronger chemicals. But some messes always fought back—returning stains, lingering odors, and irritated hands that told the real story.
In this episode of Facilities Five and Dime, we dig into one of the quiet revolutions in custodial care: enzymatic cleaning.
Enzymes aren’t fragrances or cover-ups. They’re naturally occurring proteins—built into creation itself—that break down organic messes at the molecular level. Instead of masking odors, they eliminate the source. Instead of spreading residue, they dismantle it.
We trace how enzymes moved from biology labs and digestive science into the custodial closet—first appearing in laundry detergents in the 1960s and 70s, then finding their way into carpets, floor care, drains, and even hospitals. Today, they’re trusted in schools, churches, and surgical settings because they clean deeply without the harsh fumes and corrosive side effects of traditional chemicals.
You’ll also learn:
Along the way, we step back to clarify the often-confused hierarchy of cleanliness—cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, and sterilizing—and why using the wrong tool at the wrong level can create more problems than it solves.
And finally, a side story from the operating room: how the invention of surgical gloves faced resistance, skepticism, and discomfort—until results proved otherwise. It’s a reminder that healthier practices are often resisted before they’re embraced.
Because good facility stewardship isn’t about harsher chemicals.
It’s about smarter tools, healthier people, and solving problems at the root.
