$5.49 CAD
Description
● A neutral pH concentrated detergent formulated for wool, cashmere and silk rather than for general laundry. ● Concentrated, so the dose per load is small and the 460g bottle goes a long way. ● Made in Japan by Kao. Light floral scent.
Emal is Kao's detergent for the clothes you would otherwise take to a dry cleaner. The distinction from an ordinary laundry detergent is not marketing, it is chemistry. Most laundry detergents are alkaline, and alkalinity is what damages protein fibres. Wool, cashmere and silk are protein fibres, and washing them in a standard detergent is what causes the felting, stiffening and loss of drape that ruins a good jumper on its first wash.
Emal is a neutral detergent, formulated to clean without that alkaline attack. The result is that knitwear keeps its handle and silk keeps its drape, wash after wash, rather than gradually hardening and shrinking.
The formula is concentrated, so the dose per load is small and a 460g bottle lasts considerably longer than the figure suggests. It carries a light floral scent rather than the heavy fragrance typical of general purpose detergents, which suits garments worn close to the skin.
Packaging is Japanese domestic and printed in Japanese, so check the dosing guidance before your first wash. Always follow the care label on the garment itself, since some items genuinely require professional cleaning regardless of the detergent used.
Features
● Neutral pH formula, suited to protein fibres
● Formulated for wool, cashmere and silk
● Concentrated, so the dose per load is small
● 460g bottle
● Light floral scent
● Japanese packaging
● Made in Japan
Concerns
● Knitwear that stiffens or shrinks after washing
● Silk losing its drape
● Wanting to wash delicates at home rather than paying for dry cleaning
● Heavy detergent fragrance on clothes worn next to the skin
Suitable For
● Wool, cashmere, silk and other delicate fibres
● Hand washing and machine delicate cycles
● Garments you would otherwise send to a dry cleaner
● Always follow the care label on the garment. Some items require professional cleaning regardless of detergent.
Made In
Japan
● A neutral formula avoids the alkalinity that causes protein fibres to felt, stiffen and shrink
● Knitwear keeps its handle and silk keeps its drape across repeated washes
● Concentrated, so the small dose per load makes a 460g bottle last well beyond what the size suggests
● Light floral scent rather than the heavy fragrance of general purpose detergents
● Makes home washing a realistic option for garments that would otherwise go to a dry cleaner
● Compact bottle takes little room in a laundry cupboard
1. Check the care label on the garment first. If it specifies professional cleaning only, follow that.
2. Measure the dose using the cap, following the guidance printed on the bottle. The formula is concentrated, so use less than you would of an ordinary detergent.
3. For hand washing, dissolve the detergent in lukewarm water before putting the garment in. Never pour concentrated detergent directly onto fabric.
4. Press the garment gently through the water rather than wringing, twisting or rubbing it. Agitation is what felts wool.
5. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water of the same temperature. A sudden temperature change is as damaging to wool as agitation.
6. Press out excess water between towels, then dry flat and away from direct heat and sunlight. Never hang a wet wool garment, as the weight of the water stretches it.
Key Ingredients
The composition is printed on the Japanese bottle label.
Full Ingredients List
Water, Surfactant (20%: Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether, Higher Alcohol-Based Anionic Surfactant), Stabilizer, pH Adjuster, Enzyme.
Kao is one of Japan's largest household and personal care companies, founded in 1887 and operating across laundry, cleaning, beauty and hygiene. Its laundry portfolio is segmented by purpose rather than sold as a single product line: Attack for everyday washing, Flair for fabric softening and Emal for delicate fibres. That specialisation is characteristic of the Japanese household market, where a laundry cupboard typically holds several detergents for different jobs rather than one general purpose bottle. C&C Cosmetics carries the range for Canadian customers.
1 x Kao Emal delicate laundry detergent, 460g
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A: Both are protein fibres, and ordinary laundry detergents are alkaline. Alkalinity damages protein fibres, which is what causes wool to felt and stiffen and silk to lose its drape. Emal is neutral, which avoids that.
A: Yes, on a delicate or wool cycle, as well as for hand washing. Follow the dosing guidance on the bottle and the care label on the garment.
A: Less than you would use of an ordinary detergent, because the formula is concentrated. Use the cap and follow the guidance printed on the bottle.
A: Most shrinkage in wool comes from a combination of agitation, hot water and sudden temperature changes rather than from detergent alone. A neutral detergent removes one cause. The washing technique matters just as much, which is why the steps above emphasise gentle handling and consistent water temperature.
A: It is formulated for delicates. Use an ordinary detergent for towels, bedding and everyday cottons, where you want the cleaning power that alkalinity provides.
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