The strongest tools of defense a school has against germs will always be handwashing and disinfecting. Simple, right? The only problem is that, as anyone who’s worked with kids will tell you, they tend to hear what you say, and do the exact opposite. Little rebels in the making!
That leaves schools with disinfecting as their main defense tactic, a cleaning step that’s important on many levels. Children are pretty impressive germ vectors, and with less handwashing than we’d like, a school can quickly become a breeding ground for viruses and germs just waiting to wreak havoc. On the other hand, kids are more vulnerable to the harmful chemicals found in most cleaners and disinfectants, even ones that are EPA-registered. Because kids are so much smaller than adults and their body systems are still rapidly developing, they’re at a greater risk of hormone disruption, allergies, and asthma.
But it’s not all bad news. We created Force of Nature to help you effectively disinfect your school without putting your students, staff, or the planet in harm’s way. Here’s what you need to know about the 3-in-1 cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting power of toxin-free Force of Nature.
How to Create an Effective Disinfecting Plan at Your School
Here’s how you can create a cleaning and disinfecting plan as your school’s top line of germ defense.
Look for EPA-Registered Products on List N
Deodorizing and cleaning-only products aren’t regulated the way disinfectants are, so there’s no way to know how well that cleverly marketed cleaner will actually kill germs around your school. However, when you see the word “disinfectant” on a product, that means it’s regulated by the FDA and legally has to be tested in EPA labs to ensure it meets germ-killing standards of efficacy on a specific group of pathogens.
But don’t stop there, because an EPA-registered product still may not be EPA approved for use against COVID-19. To ensure you’re using a product approved as safe to use against SARS-CoV2, the cause of Covid-19, use the EPA’s List N to find a collection of products expected to kill all variants and strains of SARS-CoV-2, which includes Force of Nature. Learn a bit more about List N and see Force of Nature’s EPA registration information for yourself here.
Use a Toxin-Free Product
Finding an EPA-registered disinfectant is step one, but that can still leave you with disinfectant options that are full of chemicals proven to cause or exacerbate allergies and asthma, and you don’t want that for your kids or staff. Cleaning is a daily chore at schools, and a recent study found that regular exposure to harmful cleaning chemicals is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. But regular use isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about; some people with asthma show a reduction in lung function just a day after being exposed to bleach.
Force of Nature contains no toxic chemicals and is certified 100% skin-safe and best for sensitive skin by the Mayo Clinic’s allergy rating system. It contains no respiratory or skin irritants, is gentle enough to be trusted by NICUs, hospitals, and daycares, and can even be used as a produce wash or to disinfect CPAP machines.
When using Force of Nature to disinfect your school, there’s no need for safety equipment like gloves or masks, and you don’t have to rinse the product off of surfaces before kids come into contact with them, which cuts down on time spent cleaning and makes it easier to disinfect in-between classes and clean up messes on the fly.
Use a Planet-Friendly Product
Many people love reusable water bottles, yet still use single-use plastic cleaning and disinfecting products, which also contribute to our global plastic pollution crisis. While EPA registration can confirm the efficacy of disinfectants, it doesn’t certify these products as safe for our planet. Instead, use the EPA’s Safer Choice Standard database or the Environmental Working Group’s consumer guides to find more environmentally-friendly products.
You can also look for products that are Green Seal Certified, a certification given only to products that meet the highest standards in protecting human health, ensuring clean water, preserving our climate, and minimizing waste. Force of Nature is proud to be Green Seal Certified and is one of the most planet-friendly disinfectants there are. It reduces plastic waste by 97% compared to typical bottled cleaning products. We’re proud to be the only certified Carbon Neutral EPA registered disinfectant and sanitizer.
Use an On-Demand Product
Storing cleaning products over a long period reduces product efficacy, with bleach losing efficacy after just six months. Plus, with the current supply chain shortages, it can be hard to ensure access to the cleaners and disinfectants you need.
Force of Nature is an on-demand cleaning system you can make right on campus (even in the classroom!), and it’s simple to do. Simply fill up the electrolyzer beaker with tap water, add a capsule (made of salt, vinegar, and water), push the button, and watch the magic happen. Electricity turns these simple ingredients into a gentle yet effective EPA-registered disinfectant that works on nearly any school surface.
Force of Nature Pro: Your School Cleaning Secret Weapon
Our appliances come in 2 sizes, Force of Nature, which makes 12 ounces at a time, and Force of Nature Pro, our system for large and high traffic spaces which makes 32 or 64 oz at a time. Both make our powerful yet gentle all-in-one formula that costs up to 80% less per ounce than the top brands. And, with our subscribe-and-save option, you can find peace of mind knowing you’ll never run out of Force of Nature when you need it.
We can even offer you custom pricing and training if you’re purchasing for a large school or organization! Click here to start.
Choosing Disinfectants for Your School
You want to keep your students and staff away from sickness-causing germs AND harmful chemicals. We don’t think you should have to choose one or the other, so we created Force of nature, our people- and planet-friendly all-in-one cleaner, sanitizer, and EPA-registered disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs without putting your team or vulnerable children (or the earth) at risk. Learn more about Force of Nature.
