Top Uses for Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) That Might Surprise You!
Our powerhouse active ingredient is inside every batch of Force of Nature, but did you know it’s also inside YOU? Hypochlorous acid (or HOCl) is nature’s oldest disinfectant, a substance your white blood cells produce to keep you healthy and fight infection. It’s also the ingredient that makes Force of Nature as effective as bleach – without toxic chemicals. HOCl works by attacking pathogens by breaking down their cell walls and is extremely effective at killing germs, viruses, and bacteria. While our body naturally and efficiently produces this superpowered disinfectant, scientists had to come up with a way to produce it so we could harness its highly effective power for other germ-killing applications.
The solution: electrolyzed water. By combining three simple ingredients (salt, vinegar, and water) in the right proportions, and running an electrical current through them, the chemical structure changes: the sodium in the salt separates from the chloride, which is then negatively charged. The chloride then bonds with oxygen and hydrogen from the water, which converts it from Cl- to HOCl. The sodium is positive, so it’s attracted to the negative charge, bonding it with oxygen and hydrogen, which creates NaOH, Sodium hydroxide, a common detergent! Finally, the vinegar achieves the right pH to meet EPA requirements to be registered as a disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs and is also critical for producing HOCl and not sodium hypochlorite (bleach) which is a caustic and toxic substance that requires protective gear.
Here’s more on how electrolyzing water creates HOCl and some of the incredible and surprising uses for HOCl today.
HOCl has a long history of use in wound care! First synthesized in 1834 by a French chemist, it was used by armies in WW1 and WW2 for wound cleaning and neutralizing chemical burns. Chronic wounds (and thereby infections) are responsible for both rising morbidity and healthcare costs and the critical factors behind would feeling are infection and cellular activation and the relation between cells: chronic wounds are the perfect environment for infection! HOCl is considered an ideal wound care agent because of its efficacy in targeting the bacteria causing the infection without harming the healthy tissue.
Ophthalmology and Eye Care
HOCl is also commonly used in ophthalmology and can be found in common eye care products. Our eyes are delicate areas, so the combination of a gentle yet potent antimicrobial agent helps fight infection, reduce inflammation and control the body’s response to injury, allowing it to heal optimally. In certain applications, like Blepharitis, a common cause of ocular irritation, HOCl has been found to lower the population of harmful bacteria without altering the biodiversity of bacterial species (many of which may be beneficial) on adjacent skin.
Veterinary Care
HOCl is used in veterinary medicine for small and large animals in wound care for its bacteria and viruses-killing properties. Common dermatological issues for animals ,like Pruritis (chronic itching), can be caused by allergies, parasites, and infections and the accompanying scratching and licking can cause red, inflamed areas that can lead to painful bacteria infections. HOCl soothes the skin, reduces pain, and helps reduce factors that allow for bacteria growth.
Hospital, ICU, NICU, and Doctor’s Office Disinfecting
HOCl is used in medical disinfecting and has been for decades and, during the pandemic, doctors and medical specialists trusted Force of Nature to provide an on-demand option for effective disinfecting amid disinfectant supply shortages, with no harmful chemicals or lasting odors that can trigger health conditions.
Force of Nature is a federal EPA registered Hospital disinfectant proven to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including Norovirus, Salmonella, Influenza A, Staph, MRSA, Listeria & Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. The federal EPA has registered Force of Nature for sanitizing and disinfecting hospitals, ICUs, medical clinics, and more.
The EPA registers 3 types of disinfectants based on their germ-killing efficacy: Limited, Broad-Spectrum, and Hospital. Force of Nature is EPA-registered as a hospital disinfectant. Limited disinfectants are effective against only a specific major group of microorganisms (such as gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria). Broad-spectrum disinfectants are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Hospital disinfectants are broad-spectrum disinfectants that are also effective against the nosocomial bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Dermatology and Skin Care
The skin is our immune system’s frontline, protecting us from the elements and all the allergens, germs, and trauma that exists in our world. Dermatologists are now harnessing the power of HOCl to support our skin by fighting bacteria (the cause of acne), to heal wounds faster, and to combat inflammation that come with conditions like eczema and psoriasis. During the pandemic, dermatologists turned to HOCl to help combat “mask-ne” – a result of wearing face masks! HOCl is great for sensitive skin because it doesn’t dry out or irritate the skin. HOCl is not a replacement for cleansing and scrubbing, but it’s an extra line of defense for removing bacteria and healing skin that can be found in sprays, creams, and serums. Force of Nature is certified 100% skin-safe and best for sensitive skin by SkinSAFE, Mayo Clinic’s allergy rating system.
Bring the Power of HOCl Home
At Force of Nature, we’ve harnessed the commercial-cleaning power of hypochlorous acid, but sized it for use at home by miniaturizing the electrolyzed water technology to fit on your countertop. At just 9 cents per ounce (an 80% savings when you switch to Force of Nature), our small appliance electrolyzes tap water and our capsules of salt, water and vinegar into a powerful multi-purpose cleaner and EPA-registered disinfectant that’s just as effective as conventional cleaners – but with no harmful chemicals, residues or fumes. It’s gentle enough to use around children and animals and is on the EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.
Force of Nature can be used to replace deodorizers, bleach, kitchen, bath, glass, and rug cleaners. Learn more about how Force of Nature kills viruses and how to use Force of Nature on virtually every surface of your home or shop for your Force of Nature starter kit.
