If you’re the kind of person who likes to understand how things actually work – especially the products you’re using around your kids – you’re in the right place.
Force of Nature uses electrolyzed water to create hypochlorous acid, the antimicrobial ingredient responsible for its disinfecting power. This isn’t just another cleaning ingredient – it’s something your own immune system produces to fight bacteria and viruses.
In this article, we’ll break down how electrolyzed water works, how it creates hypochlorous acid, and why this process is so effective at killing germs.
What is electrolyzed water?
Electrolyzed water is created when electricity is applied to a solution of water, salt, and vinegar. This process transforms the ingredients into new compounds, including hypochlorous acid – the key disinfecting ingredient.
How does the chemistry work?
When Force of Nature applies an electrical current to the solution, the salt (NaCl) is broken into sodium and chloride. These elements then recombine with water to form new compounds.
The antimicrobial ingredient created is hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is what gives Force of Nature its ability to kill germs.
If you’re looking for how this actually performs in real life – what it cleans and how it compares to other products – you can see how Force of Nature works in your home.
If you’re more of a visual person, here’s a quick video that walks through how the process works:
Your immune system’s first line of defense
Hypochlorous acid isn’t just effective – it’s biologically familiar. It’s the same substance your white blood cells produce to fight bacteria and viruses.
Hypochlorous acid is so gentle and effective it’s commonly used in wound healing products and other healthcare products.
If you’re specifically wondering how safe hypochlorous acid is for your skin, kids, or pets, you can read our full safety breakdown here.
A Detergent Without Bubbles
The other ingredient, at 0.0000003% concentration, is sodium hydroxide. This ingredient is a commonly used detergent in products ranging from skincare to body wash to toothpaste, as well as in all-purpose cleaners. At this very low concentration, sodium hydroxide helps lift dirt and grime without the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.
Resources to learn more
Force of Nature is an EPA-registered disinfectant used in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, and daycares. If you want to explore the research behind electrolyzed water, here are some helpful sources:
Research:
Disinfecting, use in healthcare, use as a virucide and in sanitizing
Why you won’t find electrolyzed water on a store shelf
The reason is that just like bubbles in a carbonated drink, hypochlorous acid starts to dissipate over time. That means a bottle of electrolyzed water sitting on a store shelf or in a warehouse would lose its efficacy within just a few weeks. That’s why it’s a cleaner you have to make fresh at home.
Learn More
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Learn how Force of Nature compares to top cleaning brands. Or learn more about how electrolyzed water works and how Force of Nature kills viruses. You might be interested to see other hypochorous acid uses too.
FAQs About How Electrolyzed Water Works
How does electrolyzed water work?
Force of Nature works by applying electricity to a solution of water, salt, and vinegar. That process transforms the ingredients into new compounds, including hypochlorous acid, which is the key ingredient responsible for killing germs.
What is hypochlorous acid?
Hypochlorous acid is the disinfecting ingredient created by Force of Nature. It’s also the same substance your white blood cells produce to fight bacteria and viruses, which is part of what makes it so gentle and effective.
Why is hypochlorous acid effective?
Hypochlorous acid is effective because it can quickly kill germs while still being gentle enough to be used in products where safety matters, like wound care and eye care.
Is hypochlorous acid the same as bleach?
No. Both can disinfect, but hypochlorous acid and bleach are different chemicals. Force of Nature creates hypochlorous acid, which is one reason it offers a safer way to clean and disinfect than traditional bleach-based products.
