Table of Contents

Key Takeaways:

Eco-enzymes are versatile liquids made by fermenting organic materials, water, and molasses.
Eco-enzymes offer many environmental benefits, including pest control and eliminating unpleasant odors.
Making eco-enzymes is easy. Just mix organic waste with water and sugar, then let it ferment.

An eco-enzyme is a brownish liquid produced by fermenting a mixture of organic materials, water, and sugar. During fermentation, the mixture produces various compounds, such as enzymes, acetic acid, alcohol, and others, which make eco-enzyme useful for a variety of purposes.

The benefits of eco enzymes are quite diverse, ranging from reducing organic waste buildup to serving as an alternative cleaning solution for everyday needs. This liquid also has several useful applications worth exploring.

So, what are the benefits of eco enzymes, and how do you make them? Check out the full explanation below.

Benefits of Eco Enzymes

Eco-enzymes offer many benefits for the environment and plants, including serving as plant fertilizer, cleaning solutions, and much more. Take a look at the explanation below:

As an Organic Fertilizer

The enzymes and organic matter in this liquid can promote nutrient absorption, allowing plants to thrive. However, even though it is beneficial for plants, you shouldn’t pour eco-enzyme directly onto them, as the liquid is acidic and can disrupt plant growth. To be safe, dissolve about 50 ml of eco-enzyme in water before watering your plants.

As a Cleaning Solution

Eco-enzyme can also be used as a cleaning solution, from washing fruits and vegetables to mopping floors. That said, the cleaning power may not be as strong as clinically tested cleaning solutions.

Keep in mind that you should only prepare the eco-enzyme solution right before washing or mopping the floor. Avoid letting the eco-enzyme solution sit for too long, as bacteria will continue to grow and can spoil the cleaning solution.

Reducing Organic Waste

One environmental benefit of eco-enzymes is that they reduce organic waste, particularly in households. Organic waste such as fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and other leftovers often ends up unmanaged in landfills. However, with eco-enzymes, you can now process this organic waste and extend its useful life.

As a Pest and Insect Repellent

In addition to serving as an organic fertilizer, eco-enzymes also provide pest control benefits for plants. The eco-enzyme solution has a strong odor that deters insects from approaching plants. As a result, you can control pests without killing them or leaving behind harmful residues.

To use eco-enzymes as a pest control agent, mix 15 ml of eco-enzyme solution with about 500 ml of water in a spray bottle. Shake well until thoroughly mixed, then spray around plants or areas frequently visited by insects.

Reducing Unpleasant Odors

While the scent of eco-enzymes may be unappealing to insects, it can help reduce unpleasant odors from drains, trash cans, and toilets. However, its overall effectiveness in eliminating odors still requires further study.

Tools and Materials for Making Eco-Enzymes

Does learning about the environmental and plant benefits of eco-enzymes pique your interest? If you want to make them, you can prepare the materials and tools based on how much eco-enzyme you want to produce. Generally, eco-enzymes follow a ratio of 10 (water): 1 (sugar) : 3 (organic waste). Here is the recipe:

Equipment you will need:

A lidded container, such as a plastic bottle or jug. Choose a size appropriate for the amount of eco-enzyme you plan to make.
A scale.
A marker, a ruler, and tape.

Ingredients for eco-enzymes:

10 liters of water.
1 kg of brown sugar or palm sugar.
3 kg of organic waste, chopped into small pieces, such as fruit peels or vegetable scraps. You can use papaya, watermelon, apple, orange peels, and so on.

How to Make Eco-Enzymes

Once you have the tools and ingredients ready, you can start making eco-enzymes. Follow these steps:

Prepare a container for the eco-enzyme, such as a plastic gallon jug.
Add 1 kg of sugar and 10 liters of water to the jug, then stir until thoroughly mixed.
Add 3 kg of finely chopped organic waste to the jug containing the sugar-water mixture. For a refreshing aroma, add orange peels or lemongrass. Avoid filling the container completely, as fermentation gases will form and expand.
Cover the jug, but do not seal it tightly, to allow gas to escape.
Label it with the preparation date, and mark the initial water level with a marker or a strip of paper tape.
Store it in a cool, shaded place away from direct sunlight.
During the first month, open the gallon lid every two days and stir the eco-enzyme mixture to release gas and introduce more oxygen, which supports the fermentation process.
Let it sit for two months to continue fermentation, but stir the mixture every two weeks. Remember to open the gallon lid occasionally to prevent gas buildup.
After three months, the eco-enzyme should be a deep brown color and ready to use.
Remove all organic waste and transfer the eco-enzyme liquid into smaller plastic bottles for easy storage and use. You can use the organic waste left over from fermentation as plant compost.

Things to Keep in Mind When Making and Harvesting Eco-Enzymes

When making and harvesting eco-enzymes, there are several things you need to keep in mind, including:

Avoid glass containers because fermentation gas pressure can cause them to crack or shatter. It’s also recommended not to use metal containers because they can react with the acidic liquid produced during fermentation.
Only use organic waste, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, and do not include inorganic waste (paper, cans, or glass). However, do not use organic waste that has already rotted or become moldy.
Ideally, ready eco-enzymes will be dark brown. If they turn black, you can add the same amount of sugar used at the start of fermentation to restart the process.
You can add waste periodically if you do not yet have 3 kg (or another specified amount) of organic waste. The 3-month fermentation period begins when the last batch of waste is added to the container.
White, brown, or black layers are normal, and flies or worms are not a problem. Let the fermentation process continue, as the chemical reactions will break down the insects. However, if black mold appears, the fermentation process has likely failed and needs to be repeated.

Share Your Handmade Eco-Enzyme Story on Jejak Asri!

Making eco-enzymes is one way to process organic waste so it stays useful and doesn’t end up in a landfill. If you’ve made eco-enzymes, share your experience on Jejak Asri to encourage more people to process organic waste!

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Register now and share your story with Indonesia Asri! Do not miss out!

More to explore: How to Carry Out Household Waste Management in 8 Ways

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some frequently asked questions about eco-enzymes:

1. How Long Can Eco-Enzymes Be Used?

As long as they are stored properly, eco-enzymes can be used anytime and last a long time without refrigeration.

2. What Are the Signs of a Successful Eco-Enzyme?

A successful fermentation process produces a white layer on the surface of the eco-enzyme, while a successful eco-enzyme is dark brown.

3. Can Eco-Enzymes Kill Bacteria?

No medical claims or studies show that eco-enzymes can completely kill disease-causing bacteria or viruses, so they cannot fully replace clinically tested disinfectants.

Benefits of Eco-Enzymes and How to Make Them at Home