Electrolyzed Water 101: Everything you need to know

Discover how simple ingredients like salt, water & vinegar can transform into a powerful multi-purpose cleaner and disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs.

What is electrolyzed water?

Electrolyzed water is created when electricity changes the chemical composition of salt & water into 2 new ingredients, one for cleaning and one for disinfecting. Electrolyzed water is typically made in industrial-size equipment for large institutions and companies. Our appliance, Force of Nature, sizes the technology down to fit on your kitchen countertop.

Common Applications of Electrolyzed Water

The applications of electrolyzed water are broad given its efficacy, safety & low cost per ounce.

Healthcare

Hypochlorous acid is the active ingredient in many eye, wound & veterinary care products because it kills germs while being very gentle.

Industrial Cleaning & Disinfecting

Examples of institutions using electrolyzed water are hospitals in Japan and in the United States for both cleaning & disinfecting. Hypochlorous acid is even approved for use in organic crop production.

How is Electrolyzed Water Made?

You start with the right proportions of salt, water and vinegar.  A salt molecule is made up of sodium and chloride, and a water molecule is made up of hydrogen and oxygen. When an electrical current is applied to the solution, the molecules are broken apart and combined into 2 new molecules, hypochlorous acid (the disinfectant) and sodium hydroxide (the cleaner). The vinegar lowers the pH of the solution so that the right concentration of each ingredient is created.

Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl): The Science Behind Its Disinfecting Power

Hypochlorous acid is an antimicrobial ingredient as effective as bleach. It’s actually the same substance your white blood cells produce to keep you healthy – ie your immune system’s fighter.  Its gentleness & efficacy have been extensively researched in wound, healthcare, and veterinary care products.

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH): A Gentle Yet Effective Cleaner

Sodium hydroxide is a detergent used at low concentrations in products like toothpaste and skin moisturizers, and at higher concentrations in conventional cleaners. Force of Nature contains a concentration of just 0.0000003% (not toxic). In all-purpose cleaners, typical concentration levels are from 1-5% (3 million to 17 million times the concentration as in Force of Nature, and can be extremely harmful).

Watch this little video for a super simple chemistry lesson.

Benefits of using electrolyzed water

Effective Disinfection: Kills 99.9% of germs

Electrolyzed water is a highly effective pathogen killer thanks to hypochlorous acid. Force of Nature is a federal EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant that kills 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew. It kills respiratory viruses and the viruses that cause flus and is also on EPA’s list N, the disinfectants approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19. Our formula is on the EPA’s List Q, the disinfectants approved for use against emerging viral pathogens.

Safe on Surfaces: No Harsh Chemicals

Hypochlorous acid kills pathogens while at the same being extremely gentle on skin, which is what makes it so unique and versatile. Unlike disinfectants with bleach or quaternary ammonium compounds, electrolyzed water is so gentle it doesn’t require rinsing or gloves. There are no toxic fumes or residues to rinse.

Eco-Friendly

Force of Nature is Green Seal Certified for meeting the highest standards in preserving the climate and minimizing waste. Force of Nature eliminates single-use plastic bottles, and with the carbon offset projects we support, we’re certified Carbon Neutral by ClimatePartner. Because each of our recyclable Activator Capsules replaces one single-use plastic bottle, you can reduce plastic waste 98%.

FAQs

How well does electrolyzed water clean?

Electrolyzed water is highly effective when it comes to cleaning and dissolving grease, grime, oil, sticky messes, and soap scum. And because it’s so effective at killing bacteria, mold and mildew, the most common causes of odors, it’s a highly effective deodorizer too.  You can see 3rd party independent lab test results for Force of Nature here to see that it’s just as effective as the top cleaning and deodorizing brands.

How long does electrolyzed water remain effective?

Just like bubbles in a carbonated drink, hypochlorous acid starts to dissipate over time. After 2 weeks, the disinfecting power starts to diminish. That’s why you won’t find electrolyzed water sitting on a grocery store shelf; instead you make it fresh in an appliance when you need it.

Can I make electrolyzed water at home?

You can as long as you have the right appliance and ingredients, because being off by even a hundredth of a gram can result in bleach, a solution that doesn’t meet EPA antimicrobial standards, or a shorter shelf life. Because the chemistry is so sensitive, the EPA requires the Force of Nature Activator Capsules so that the right concentration of hypochlorous acid is created.

Learn More

More questions? Learn more about electrolyzed water  or see how it compares to typical natural cleaning products. And if you want to dig in 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 virtually any surface, and about how Force of Nature actually works.