Hypochlorous Acid

What Is Hypochlorous Acid Used For?

Hypochlorous Acid Uses

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is used for cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, wound care, eye care, skincare, veterinary care, and food preservation applications. It kills bacteria and viruses while remaining gentle enough for skin and sensitive environments.

You may already know it’s found in your body—but it’s also widely used in hospitals, healthcare, and homes as a powerful, non-toxic disinfectant.

First, What Exactly Is Hypochlorous Acid?

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an antimicrobial substance your white blood cells produce to help fight viruses and bacteria. Force of Nature uses electrolyzed water technology to create hypochlorous acid from salt, water and vinegar using electricity, producing a powerful, non-toxic cleaner and disinfectant that kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses without harmful fumes or residues.

The reason hypochlorous acid is so effective is that it breaks down the cell walls of pathogens. If you want a deeper explanation of what hypochlorous acid is and how it works, read What Is Hypochlorous Acid?

If you’re wondering how hypochlorous acid compares to traditional disinfectants, here’s a full breakdown of hypochlorous acid vs. bleach.

You can read all about hypochlorous acid shelf life and how that impacts its germ-killing power. You can also learn about whether fresh vs bottled hypochlorous acid is more effective.

Common & Surprising Uses for Hypochlorous Acid

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is used across medical, commercial, and household settings because it can disinfect effectively without the harsh side effects of traditional chemicals like bleach.

Hospitals, ICUs & Medical Clinics

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has been used in medical disinfecting for decades. Force of Nature is an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including Norovirus, Salmonella, Influenza A, Staph, MRSA, Listeria, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The EPA has registered Force of Nature for use in hospitals, ICUs, medical clinics, and more.

Wound Care

Hypochlorous acid has been used since WWI to clean and protect wounds. It fights infection while being non-irritating to tissue, making it ideal for cuts, burns, and chronic wounds. It promotes healing by reducing inflammation, preventing infection, and supporting the body’s natural healing processes. See what the science says about hypochlorous acid and wound care.

Eye Care and Ophthalmology

Hypochlorous acid is gentle enough to be used around the eyes at the right concentration. Eye care products use hypochlorous acid to manage conditions like blepharitis and dry eye by reducing bacteria without harming delicate tissue. This balance of a gentle yet potent antimicrobial agent helps fight infection and reduce inflammation.

Veterinary Applications

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is used by veterinarians to treat wounds, infections, and skin conditions in animals. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi while supporting healing—without harmful chemicals. It’s especially helpful for pets with allergies or chronic dermatitis.

Dermatology and Skin Care

Hypochlorous acid is used by dermatologists to:

  • Treat acne-causing bacteria
  • Calm eczema and rosacea
  • Accelerate healing after treatments like microneedling
  • Help with irritation and inflammation

It’s even earned a 100% SkinSAFE rating, indicating it is suitable for sensitive skin.

If you’re especially curious about skincare and sensitive skin, learn more about whether hypochlorous acid is safe for your skin.

Fighting Viruses

Force of Nature is an EPA-registered disinfectant that kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria using hypochlorous acid as the active ingredient.

FAQs About Hypochlorous Acid Uses

Hypochlorous acid is used for cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, wound care, eye care, skincare, veterinary care and food preservation. It kills bacteria and viruses while remaining gentle enough for skin and sensitive environments. Force of Nature is one household application of hypochlorous acid: it uses hypochlorous acid as its active disinfecting ingredient to clean, deodorize and kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is commonly used to clean and disinfect household surfaces such as countertops, sinks, bathrooms, appliances and other hard, non-porous surfaces. It can also eliminate odors caused by bacteria and fungi. Force of Nature is an EPA-registered hypochlorous acid disinfectant that cleans, deodorizes and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is used in a variety of skincare products because it helps reduce bacteria and calm irritation. It is commonly used for acne-prone skin, redness and other minor skin concerns, though products should always be used according to their directions.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid has been used in wound care for decades. It helps cleanse wounds, reduce harmful bacteria and support the body’s natural healing process while being gentle on healthy tissue.
Yes. At the proper concentration, hypochlorous acid is used in eye-care products designed to help manage conditions such as blepharitis and eyelid irritation. Only products specifically intended for eye-area use should be used around the eyes.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is commonly used in veterinary products for wound care, skincare and hygiene. It is also a popular choice for cleaning and disinfecting pet bowls, crates, litter box areas and other pet-related surfaces. Force of Nature can be used to clean and disinfect many of these hard, non-porous pet surfaces without added fragrance, bleach or quats.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid is commonly used on food-contact surfaces because it kills germs without leaving behind harmful residues when used as directed. It is used in commercial kitchens, food-processing environments and homes. Force of Nature is EPA-registered for use on food-contact surfaces and requires no rinsing when used according to label directions.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid has been used in healthcare settings for years. EPA-registered hypochlorous acid disinfectants are used in hospitals, medical clinics and other healthcare environments because they effectively kill many common pathogens. Force of Nature is an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant that uses hypochlorous acid and kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria when used as directed.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid eliminates odors caused by bacteria, mold, mildew and other organic sources. Unlike products that simply mask odors with fragrance, hypochlorous acid targets the microorganisms that often cause unpleasant smells. Force of Nature uses hypochlorous acid to deodorize without added fragrance, while also cleaning and disinfecting.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid can kill mold and mildew when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. Force of Nature is EPA-registered to kill mold and mildew, making it useful for damp areas like bathroom counters, sinks, tile and other non-porous household surfaces.

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