Electrolyzed water is standard tap water mixed with sodium chloride (salt). The saltwater solution gets treated with an electrical charge. This process produces hypochlorous acid, which can serve as a disinfectant.
Hypochlorous acid is natural and safe for humans to come in contact with because it is non-toxic. In fact, your white blood cells produce hypochlorous acid to fight off viruses and infections inside your body.
Sometimes, natural products are less effective than chemical alternatives. They may be fine for simple cleaning, but you may want something stronger for disinfecting tasks. That is not the case with hypochlorous acid water. Actually, studies have shown that it is more effective than chlorine and bleach at killing bacteria and viruses.
How Effective Is Electrolyzed Water Cleaner as a Disinfectant?
Unlike many natural cleaners, there is a lot of science to support the effectiveness of electrolyzed water cleaners. Studies have shown that electrolyzed water is more effective than common chemical disinfectants, such as chlorinated water, in commercial settings. Food producers and medical facilities use it instead of chemical options because it saves money and does not expose staff to chemical irritants. The Environmental Protection Agency even lists it as an approved cleaning agent for disinfecting surfaces contaminated with the COVID-19 virus.
How is it so effective? Hypochlorous acid oxidizes bacteria and viruses, destroying their DNA and RNA in a matter of seconds so that they are no longer harmful. These products work faster than bleach or alcohol-based cleaners, which must remain on the surface for several minutes or longer (depending on the concentration) to provide the same results.
Furthermore, electrolyzed water is safe enough to drink. A study in Japan showed positive results for people with gastric pain who took daily doses of electrolyzed water.
Electrolyzed water cleaner is very effective and safe. But what can it do for you in a real-world setting?
What Can You Clean with an Electrolyzed Water?
Electrolyzed water is safe and effective for cleaning toilets, sinks, shower stalls, and bathtubs because it kills 10 times more bacteria than bleach. Some self-cleaning toilets use electrolyzed water after a flush for consistent disinfection.
This solution can also destroy mold spores, making it ideal for damp places like a bathroom where mold can easily form. It can also handle dangerous fungi like black mold, which can make people ill if it is not contained.
Unlike some substances, which can only handle specific molds or fungi, hypochlorous acid can kill virtually all forms and species. In other words, it can be used as a treatment for athletes’ foot and to kill mold growing in between your shower tiles.
The other advantage, of course, is that hypochlorous acid is entirely non-toxic. This trait is crucial in a heavily used room like the bathroom. Toilet and shower cleaners with bleach can leave a strong odor that can bother people with sensitive respiratory systems. In fact, most bleach and chlorine products warn you to open windows and turn on exhaust fans to deal with the strong chemical fumes produced during cleaning. Since it does not emit such fumes, electrolyzed water cleaner does not require careful ventilation during and after use. Furthermore, other people in the house can use the bathroom right away after the cleaning process without worrying about chemical sensitivity issues.
How Can You Store Electrolyzed Water?
Electrolyzed water is a potent cleaning agent with results backed by scientific studies. The challenges of using it in your home mainly have to do with storage. Home electrolysis machines are currently available on the market. However, these do not produce stabilized liquid. It will, therefore, lose its potency after a week or two. If exposed to direct sunlight or not covered in an airtight container, the lifespan can drop to just a few days.
This is not an issue if you make and use it quickly. However, consumer products are usually stabilized, so they have a much longer shelf life. Provided you keep them covered in an airtight container in a cool place away from direct sunlight, they will remain effective for a year or longer. Therefore, purchasing an electrolyzed water cleaner from a reputable retailer is the most practical option for household use.
Where Can I Get Hypochlorous Acid Products?
If you would like a stabilized electrolyzed water cleaner, the best option for home use is to get proven products from a reputable retailer. For example, Pathosans offers a hypochlorous acid cleaning solution called Pathonex. This product is available online and has its own listing on the EPA’s List N. All products on this listing are proven effective at killing viruses, including COVID-19. The company also produces other products for degreasing.