Hypochlorous Acid

What Is Hypochlorous Acid?

What is hypochlorous acid?

Hypochlorous acid is nature’s oldest disinfectant, and it’s the substance your white blood cells produce to fight off infections. It’s also the active antimicrobial ingredient in electrolyzed water, which is an industrial technology used for green cleaning and disinfecting. The chemical formula for hypochlorous acid is HOCl, or sometimes HClO is used.

How Is Hypochlorous Acid Produced?

Hypochlorous acid is made when an electrical current changes the molecular structure of salt, water & vinegar into 2 new ingredients: a cleaner and hypochlorous acid, the disinfectant as effective as bleach. Hypochlorous acid is actually the ingredient that gives bleach its anti-microbial power. The pH of the salt, water & vinegar solution has to be at the precisely correct level to create HOCl, the same substance that is your immune system’s germ fighter.

If you’re wondering does hypochlorous acid expire – we cover that and what you need to know about shelf life.

Applications of Hypochlorous Acid

Cleaning & Disinfection

Hypochlorous acid is so trusted and effective that hospitals use it as a disinfectant in both the US and Japan. Given how effective it is at killing microbes without leaving behind harmful residues, hypochlorous acid is even USDA-approved for use in organic crop production.

In cleaning applications, hypochlorous acid can be sprayed or applied directly onto surfaces such as countertops, floors, and bathroom surfaces to eliminate germs and odors. Its versatility and potent germ-killing properties make hypochlorous acid an ideal choice for maintaining clean and hygienic environments in homes, hospitals, restaurants, and other public spaces.

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

Medical & Healthcare Uses

Hypochlorous acid is so gentle that it has several uses in the healthcare and medical space. It’s FDA-approved for use in wound healing, wound care, and eye care products and is also common in veterinary care products. It’s even used to eradicate biofilm. There has been extensive research on the gentleness and efficacy of HOCl cleaner.

Hypochlorous Acid Skincare Benefits

With its balance of antimicrobial properties and safe ingredients, HOCl has gained attention as an effective skincare ingredient to fight against bacteria and other microorganisms that can contribute to skin issues such as acne and inflammation.

HOCl’s anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritated skin and promote healing with conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Plus, because it’s gentle and non-irritating, it’s suitable for many sensitive skin types.

Advantages of Hypochlorous Acid Over Traditional Disinfectants

Hypochlorous acid is a very different type of disinfectant than hydrogen peroxide or bleach. Hydrogen peroxide is like alcohol in that it’s flammable and can be harmful if swallowed, causing stomach issues. Bleach is a potent disinfectant that can be dangerous and irritating to the skin and respiratory system. Hypochlorous acid is a different story. It’s much more gentle to skin than both hydrogen peroxide and bleach.

FAQs About Hypochlorous Acid

Hypochlorous acid, also known as HOCl, is a powerful but gentle antimicrobial ingredient. It is naturally produced by white blood cells as part of the body’s immune response, and it is also the active germ-killing ingredient in electrolyzed water used for cleaning and disinfecting.
Hypochlorous acid is used for cleaning, disinfecting, deodorizing, wound care, eye care, skincare, veterinary care, and food-surface sanitation. In household cleaning, it can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces to kill germs when used as directed.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid can be used as a disinfectant when it is made at the right concentration and pH and used according to label directions. Force of Nature makes hypochlorous acid that is EPA-registered to sanitize and disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces.
No. Hypochlorous acid is not the same as bleach. Bleach is sodium hypochlorite, while hypochlorous acid is HOCl. They are both part of the chlorine family, but they are different chemicals with different pH levels, safety profiles, and use instructions.
Hypochlorous acid can be as effective as bleach for disinfecting when it is made at the right concentration and used as directed. In fact, hypochlorous acid is the form of chlorine that gives bleach its germ-killing power, but HOCl works at a more skin-friendly pH that’s also non-toxic.
Hypochlorous acid is known for being both effective and gentle. It is used in medical, skincare, eye care, wound care, veterinary, and disinfecting applications. As with any cleaner or disinfectant, it should be used according to the product’s directions.
Yes, hypochlorous acid is a great choice for families looking for a gentler way to disinfect around kids and pets. Force of Nature has no added fragrance, dyes, preservatives, bleach, quats, or ammonia, and it can be used on many of the surfaces families touch every day.
Hypochlorous acid is made through electrolysis, a process that uses electricity to change the molecular structure of salt, water, and vinegar. With Force of Nature, the appliance and Activator Capsules are designed to create the correct pH and concentration to create an EPA-registered sanitizer and disinfectant.
Yes. Hypochlorous acid gradually loses strength over time when exposed to light, heat, air, pH changes or impurities. Think of it like bubbles in a carbonated drink that dissipate over time. That’s why freshly made hypochlorous acid can be a better option than bottled formulas that can sit for months before they are used.
Yes. Force of Nature lets you make hypochlorous acid at home. It miniaturizes industrial-grade technology to fit on your countertop and create your HOCl cleaner when you need it. The appliance converts tap water, plus a capsule of salt, water, and vinegar, into a multipurpose cleaner, deodorizer, EPA-registered sanitizer, and disinfectant.
Yes, hypochlorous acid can kill mold when used as directed on hard, non-porous surfaces. Force of Nature is EPA-registered to kill mold and mildew, making it a useful option for damp areas like bathrooms, sinks, counters, tile, and other non-porous household surfaces.

Learn More

Force of Nature is a family-friendly, planet-friendly multi-purpose cleaner just as effective as the top conventional cleaners but with zero toxic chemicals. It earns the 100% top allergen-free rating by the Mayo Clinic’s SkinSafe product safety rating system. Our EPA-registered medical-grade disinfectant kills 99.9% of germs, mold, and mildew. It’s also Carbon Neutral and Green Seal certified – it comes with reusable bottles so you can eliminate single-use plastic bottles. And, it costs up to 80% less per oz than the top brands. Here’s a little video about the science.

Learn more about how Force of Nature kills viruses and bacteria and about how the electrolyzed water technology works. And if you want to learn even more, we’ve also got the scoop on how to compare electrolyzed water vs bleach, how Force of Nature is safe to use on just about any surface in your house, and how Force of Nature actually works.

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