INSPIRED BY NATURE, MADE FOR WHAT MATTERS
Naturally produced, scientifically perfected.
Produced by your immune system, hypochlorous acid quickly neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and other pesky germs.
When formulated with the right pH, concentration (ppm) and purity, HOCl delivers medical‑grade disinfection with a skin‑kind, residue‑light profile—suitable for people, babies, pets, food contact and shared spaces.
If you’re comparing hypochlorous acid sprays, electrolysed water disinfectants, natural/non‑toxic sanitisers or alcohol‑free cleaners, this guide explains what HOCl is, how it works, why pH and ppm matter, safety and shelf‑life, and where it fits vs. common alternatives.
What is HOCl?
HOCl is a selective oxidant your neutrophils (white blood cells) produce to defend and repair. In a bottle, high‑purity HOCl is generated by electro‑chemical activation (ECA) of a salt‑water solution under tight pH control. Unlike many solvent‑based sanitisers, well‑made HOCl solutions are water‑based, fragrance‑free and alcohol‑free, yet demonstrate rapid antimicrobial performance when used as directed.
Hypochlorous Acid
Nature's Miracle Molecule
Hypochlorous
Nature's Miracle Molecule
Why HOCL Works
HOCl works in the body to kill, attenuate or break-down harmful microorganisms by destroying their cell membrane, DNA, RNA and proteins, as well as halting its growth processes.
HOCl Mechanisms & Actions
Your body’s immune cells (neutrophils – white blood cells) naturally produce HOCl as a completely non-toxic broad spectrum biocide which not only enhances cell healing processes but also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
HOCl Mechanisms & Actions
Your body’s immune cells (neutrophils – white blood cells) naturally produce HOCl as a completely non-toxic broad spectrum biocide which not only enhances cell healing processes but also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Antimicrobial mechanisms
Anti‑inflammatory & Wound Care
At‑a‑glance takeaways
What really drives results
Speciation matters. HOCl’s microbicidal activity is governed by pH because the balance between HOCl (the desired, highly active species) and OCl⁻ (hypochlorite) shifts with pH. Mildly acidic to near‑neutral formulations favour HOCl, allowing excellent performance at modest ppm.
What to know at a glance?
pH window
ppm (FAC)
Contact time
Soil load & pre‑cleaning
Temperature & stability
ORP & verification
Practical HOCl products are typically formulated in the ~pH 3–7 range. Activity is often strongest when the HOCl fraction is maximised (commonly around mildly acidic to neutral).
SanOT engineers solutions in ~50–500 ppm depending on use case:
- 50–150 ppm — sensitive & prolonged contact: for skin, eyelids, light air-misting and soaking/rinsing steps where comfort is critical and longer contact times are acceptable. Notes: pre‑clean visible soil; maintain wetness; ideal when neutrality/odourlessness matters.
- 100–250 ppm — routine & food-adjacent hygiene: for everyday touchpoints, light‑soil surfaces, community/office settings, retail/hospitality prep zones and food‑contact/direct‑to‑food use where permitted by local frameworks/SOPs. Notes: spray‑wipe or spray‑air‑dry; cloth‑apply on electronics; neutral taste/odour when used as directed.
- 250–500 ppm — fast-acting, heavy‑duty & high‑soil loads: for clinical environments, packhouse floors/drains/lines, tools and trays, entry mats/footbaths, agriculture/processing workflows and biofilm‑prone areas. Notes: pre‑clean reduces demand; avoid pooling on delicate metals or textiles.
For credible claims, keep surfaces visibly wet for the listed dwell time. On hard non‑porous surfaces this is often ~1–10 minutes (organism‑ and claim‑dependent). Porous/absorbent materials and hot/dry air may require re‑wetting to maintain wet‑time.
Organic matter consumes active HOCl, contributing to its degradation. Remove visible soil first for reliable results; use a clean cloth for a final, even film.
Higher temperature can accelerate reactions but may reduce solution stability. Aim for cool, ambient application and avoid heated reservoirs.
Some facilities track oxidation‑reduction potential (ORP) or FAC test strips to verify in‑use strength, especially in food/packhouse programmes.
HOCL Fraction vs pH
Safety, Materials and Environmental profile
Skin & air tolerance
Material compatibility (practical guidance)
Environmental profile
- Water‑based, alcohol‑free, ammonia‑free, iodine‑free; designed to be non‑sensitising and non‑dehydrating when used as directed.
- Low residuals with no added perfumes or solvents—comfortable for frequent use.
- Metals: Excellent on stainless steel (316), aluminium alloys and chrome when used as a spray‑wipe. Avoid prolonged soaking of bare steel or uncoated iron; wipe dry after use.
- Plastics & elastomers: Generally compatible with HDPE, LLDPE, PP, PET, ABS, nitrile, latex. Check delicate natural rubbers and adhesive labels for colour‑fastness.
- Stone & tile: Safe on most ceramics and sealed stone. On calcareous stone (marble/limestone) always spot‑test—any mildly acidic solution may affect etch‑sensitive finishes, but this may not apply to those materials.
- Wood & textiles: Safe for sealed/painted wood. Unfinished wood and dye‑rich fabrics may potentially darken or bleed—spot‑test first.
- Electronics & optics: Apply to a lint‑free cloth and wipe; avoid spraying into ports, fans or seams.
- Reacts and completely breaks down after use (Biodegradable); no persistent residues when properly applied.
- Avoid deliberate release of excessive amounts into aquaria or closed aquatic systems— some chlorine species can affect fish/invertebrates. Normal household/industrial drains dilute effectively within standard wastewater systems.
- No VOC perfumes; favourable indoor‑air experience compared with solvent‑heavy products.
Why it doesn’t “go off”
Due to the biodegradable nature of HOCl, it gradually loses potency as it encounters light, heat, metals and organics (even from micro air-exposures). This tapering shifts the product outside its specification window over time; it does not suddenly spoil or become ineffective.
Best practice to preserve strength
Using older product wisely
- Storage: Keep sealed, out of direct sunlight, and between ~5–25 °C. Avoid hot cars and windowsills.
- Packaging: Use opaque/UV‑blocking bottles with non‑metallic closures. Do not decant into metallic containers.
- Hygiene: Avoid “double‑dipping” cloths/tools into bottles; cross‑contamination consumes active chlorine.
- FIFO: Operate first‑in, first‑out. Date opened bottles and use regularly.
- Do not top‑up old bottles with fresh solution—use bottles through, then replace.
- Do not mix or dilute with tap water or other chemicals and store.
If a bottle nears end‑of‑life, you may still use it effectively by increasing contact time and ensuring visible wetness. Where available, FAC test strips provide a quick check of remaining ppm.
HOCl (hypochlorous)
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
Alcohols (ethanol/isopropyl)
Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats)
Hydrogen peroxide & peracids
Chlorine dioxide
- Pros: Neutral-to-acidic pH. Broad spectrum at modest ppm; skin‑compatible, low odour, residue‑free; food‑contact potential at low ppm; versatile (spray, wipe, soak, fog per directions).
- Consider: Respect contact time in relation to pH and ppm; potency tapers with age/heat/light; avoid mixing with soaps, perfumes, essential oils or other chemicals.
- Pros: Strong oxidiser; inexpensive; familiar.
- Consider: High/Basic pH; corrosive/odorous; not appropriate for skin; will damage textiles/finishes; strong smell.
- Pros: Fast action on many microbes; evaporates quickly; detergent properties.
- Consider: Dehydrating/irritating to skin; flammable; less effective on some soils; limited residual; expensive
- Pros: Effective surface disinfectants; persistent residues in some cases can extend effect.
- Consider: Potential irritation; leaves residues; compatibilities vary with food‑contact policies.
- Pros: Strong oxidisers; useful for specific high‑level sanitation tasks.
- Consider: Can bleach/damage materials; odour/irritation concerns; may require special handling and ventilation.
- Pros: Gas/liquid options; excellent for certain industrial water/air treatments.
- Consider: Generation/handling complexity; off‑gassing; equipment requirements; hazardous.
Definitions
100% Natural & Biodegradable
Alcohol-Free
Ammonia-Free
Biofilm
Bleach-Free
Broad-spectrum Disinfectant
Dangerous Chemical Free
Eco-Friendly
Electrolysed Compounds
Hydrating
Hypoallergenic
Metastable
Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are 100% natural, organic and safe for the environment. They are capable of completely degrading into safe and non-polluting products, which have no negative impact on the environment.
Alcohol-based sanitisers are commonly based with propyl and/or ethyl alcohols, which are dehydrating, combustible, hazardous and toxic. These are dangerous for human, animal and plant health especially when excessively used.
Quaternary ammonia compounds are safe for skin skin contact, when used conservatively, but often require rinsing as they are non-biodegradable and can be very detrimental to ecosystems. These are also not extremely effective broad spectrum sanitisers.
A complex aggregation of various microorganisms held together and attached to a surface by excreting an adhesive matrix.
Bleach is not safe for human, animals and plant health, and can be very corrosive against various materials. Electrolysed Hypochlorous solution has also shown to be 80-100 times more effective against microorganisms than bleach.
Sanitizing agents which are able to kill/denature a range of different microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, spores, protozoa and biofilms.
Electrolysed Hypochlorous solution is completely free from all pesticides, fragrances, as well as other commonly used sanitising compounds such as: Peracetic acid, Hydrogen Peroxide, Formaldehyde, Phenols, Glutaraldehyde, QAC's, Bleach, Chlorine Dioxide and Alcohols.
Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are 100% natural, organic and safe for the environment. They are capable of completely degrading into safe and non-polluting products, which have no negative impact on the environment.
A substance that is produced and/or concentrated into a stable form by electrochemical processes.
Unlike most sanitisers, Electrolysed Hypochlorous solution is moisturising, hydrating and even wound healing.
Electrolysed Hypochlorous solution unlikely to cause allergic or immunological responses to a substance.
The ability of a chemical to maintain a non-equilibrium state for prolonged periods, or atleast until it is disturbed by UV-light, extreme temperatures, or the introduction of organic compounds whereby it will break down into a more stable equilibrium by means of oxidation.
Microorganisms/Microbes
Non-Hazardous
Non-Corrosive
Non-Combustible
Pathogens
Safe & Non-Toxic
These are microscopic organisms that are invisible to the naked eye, including bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa and viruses.
A chemical or compound that does not require intense safety precautions when handling it. Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are safe, non-hazardous free from harsh chemicals.
A chemical or compound that does not degrade/erode materials, objects, tools or equipment when in contact with them. Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are non-corrosive especially when used according to the correct guidelines and dilutions.
A chemical or compound which is non-combustible and does not require intense safety precautions when handling it around open flames. Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are not a fire hazard risk.
A pathogen is an infectious biological agent that causes disease, illness or discomfort to another organism/host. These biological agents can be anything including bacteria, viruses, fungi, spores, algae and protozoa.
A chemical or compound that is neither directly nor indirectly poisonous, irritating or sensitising to human, animal or plant health. Electrolysed Hypochlorous solutions are non toxic, eco-friendly and completely safe (and even beneficial) for human, animal and plant health. It can be used on pregnant women, infants, animals and sensitive skin.
DEBUNKING HOCL MYTHS
Myths & Answers
Demystify common misconceptions and get straightforward answers about HOCl. We're here to equip you with confidence for an informed decision.