Inflation and economic uncertainty have contributed to an era of “deconsumption,” where consumers are scaling back on frequent purchases and learning to love what they have. Shoppers are also more aware than ever before that their purchases have an environmental and ethical impact, fueling demand for sustainable fashion and a desire to reduce waste. The push for sustainability also means that suppliers and detergent manufacturers are under more scrutiny from consumers who want proof that “sustainable” claims are real and effective. In our last issue, we explored the complex landscape of green, or “eco,” labeling.

Meanwhile, consumers are more invested in the integrity of their garments. This shift in priorities is inspiring consumers to alter their behavior, from keeping clothes longer to buying secondhand and embracing reuse.

Suppliers are tasked with meeting the demands of garment prolongation while also creating solutions that maintain exceptional performance. This can be done in many different ways. For detergent makers, new products must work to save the look, feel, and quality of clothing items by making sure they work in wash conditions that aid in better garment preservation. Meanwhile, environmental impact should be considered when developing ingredients and methods used to create detergents.

The innovative detergent manufacturers and suppliers will also pay attention to advancements in smart devices. In Clean Insights Issue #3, we explored how appliances are using cutting-edge technologies in wash cycles and dry cleaning to refresh and sanitize clothing. Ultimately, these solutions claim to save time and money and extend the life of garments. But they will also impact demand for certain formats and evolve the fabric care landscape.

In the end, it’s the investment in technologies related to formulation that continually emerge as a critical aspect of the fabric care process.

The thoughtful design of each formulation will ensure efficacy across a variety of stains, fabric types, and wash conditions. And formulators have access to an array of ingredients and technologies to meet these challenges.

A holistic garment-care strategy relies on a series of interconnected methods, from formulating new ingredients and technologies that are addressing consumer needs to harnessing the benefits of lower wash temperatures. No matter the wash conditions or machines, manufacturers will still need to be able to prove to consumers that their products can take the stains away. That’s why investing in formulations is critical. At IFF, we have enzymes designed to be effective in cold wash cycles using milder washing machine settings. Our best-in-class laundry protease PREFERENZ® P400 removes protein-based stains. Meanwhile, REVITALENZ® 200 is a high-active cellulase for cotton that protects and renews cotton fabric by removing pills.

Now we’ve developed a product to tackle polyester garments.

For centuries, cotton was the dominant fabric, chosen for its versatility, comfort, and affordability. When it came to cleaning performance and fabric care, ingredient suppliers and detergent manufacturers focused efforts on products that catered to cotton fabrics. For instance, our cellulases enhance colors and brighten whites by removing broken fibers known as cotton pills during the wash process. There are even well-known fine-fabric detergents designed to handle the delicate nature of textiles, such as wool and silk.

But as lifestyles evolved, so did the fashion industry. Synthetics play an important role in some extremely durable materials, like some membrane products and those that are used for outerwear; in sports gear, such as spandex; and in casuals. In fact, polyester and other synthetic fabrics now make up more than 70% of our clothing.³ These fabrics are easy to clean, affordable, and used often from day-to-day. As a result, they endure multiple wash cycles. However, frequent wash and wear can erode the fibers, so detergent manufacturers must find solutions that will boost their products’ relevancy in the market. Some manufacturers have already begun communicating about how to wash for synthetics, realizing the concerns of consumers. For instance, Woolite gives customers specific instructions on how to care for certain synthetics in the laundry. Meanwhile, Persil Wonder Wash from Unilever promotes that it is designed for short cycles, as well as formulated to refresh and remove malodors better from synthetic clothes, which retain odors more.

Take a look at some recent insights on fabric care for polyester and synthetics.

It’s clear that fabric care of synthetics is a top priority for consumers. So, what are their options?

IFF is ready to step in. Our newest product, Polyesterase, is the first-of-its-kind enzyme aimed at tackling polyester garments. Initially developed 25 years ago for use in the textile industry, it was used to modify the surface of polyester fabric to enhance dye uptake. IFF scientists recently discovered its versatility and ability to reduce degradation in fabrics like polyester. This next-gen enzyme is part of a bio-revolution to produce laundry detergents that perform under a broad spectrum of conditions, such as washing at colder temperatures.

And with synthetic fabrics dominating the market, Polyesterase addresses a critical need: pilling and fuzzing. It prevents pill formation through multicycle washes and can even remove already-existing pills. It also prolongs the lifetime of clothes and revives garments that already have a dull look. The addition of Polyesterase in detergents will give manufacturers credibility to claim that their products offer true fabric care benefits for a wider spectrum of textiles.

Holistic care is the new performance standard. At IFF, we’re constantly monitoring the newest trends in the industry so we can develop cutting-edge enzymatic solutions that will remove stains effectively while also preserving and enhancing fabric quality. As the market pivoted from cotton to polyester, we invested a considerable amount of time and resources into creating disruptive technologies such as Polyesterase that are optimized to work in cold water conditions, remove pills and fuzz, and preserve fibers over time.

What does that mean for you? We realize there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. We don’t just sell ingredients; we’re a trusted partner that works with you to implement our solutions into your products based on the needs of your region, market, target consumer, and in the end, your brand. Formulating takes trial and error, and we’ll help you get to optimal.

¹ IFF Fabric Care Study 2025

² The Truth About Laundry, Electrolux, slide 29

³ https://www.earthday.org/the-devil-wears-polyester/