What Is Hypochlorous Acid Used For?

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 is nature’s oldest antibacterial, a substance your white blood cells produce to keep you healthy and fight viruses and bacteria.

Through a technology called electrolyzed water, HOCl can be replicated outside the body using just salt, water, vinegar, and electricity. This process creates a powerful, toxin-free 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 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 has been used in medical disinfecting for decades. Force of Nature is an EPA-registered hospital-grade 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 HOCl and wound care.

Eye Care and Ophthalmology

HOCl 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 is used by veterinarians to treat wounds, infections, and skin conditions in animals. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi while supporting healing—without harsh 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 when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces.

• EPA List N: Disinfectants for SARS-CoV-2
• EPA List Q: Emerging Viral Pathogens
• EPA List H: MRSA
• EPA List G: Norovirus