Search GetCrunchy

Search for categories, articles, and products

Is Force of Nature Safe?

📅 Updated February 2026⏱️ 5 min readNEW

TL;DR

Yes, Force of Nature is one of the safest disinfectants available. It uses electricity to turn tap water, salt, and vinegar into hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a medical-grade disinfectant that is non-toxic to humans and pets but lethal to 99.9% of germs. Unlike bleach or Quats, it emits no dangerous fumes and requires no rinsing.

🔑 Key Findings

1

EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant (Reg #93040-1)

2

Kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including Norovirus and Staph

3

Rated 100% Skin Safe by Mayo Clinic

4

Safe for natural stone (unlike vinegar) and fabrics (unlike bleach)

The Short Answer

Yes, Force of Nature is incredibly safe. It is arguably the safest effective disinfectant on the market today.

While most disinfectants rely on quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats) or sodium hypochlorite (bleach)—both of which are lung irritants and endocrine disruptors—Force of Nature uses hypochlorous acid (HOCl). This is the same substance your own white blood cells produce to fight infection. It is EPA-registered to kill 99.9% of germs (including Norovirus and Influenza) but is gentle enough to drink (though we don't recommend it, it tastes like swimming pool water).

Why This Matters

Most people think "disinfecting" requires harsh chemicals. This is a dangerous myth.

Common disinfectants like Lysol and Clorox often contain Quats, which are linked to asthma, fertility issues, and birth defects. Are Quats In Cleaners Safe. We spray these on kitchen counters and high chairs, leaving toxic residues that our families ingest and touch.

Force of Nature solves the "toxic trade-off." You get hospital-grade disinfection without the chemical burn risks or respiratory damage. It bridges the gap between weak DIY vinegar solutions (which don't kill Staph or Norovirus) and nuclear-option bleach (which damages lungs and fabrics).

What's Actually In Force of Nature

The system uses electricity (electrolysis) to change the chemical structure of three simple ingredients.

  • Tap Water — The base.
  • Salt & Vinegar — Supplied in pre-measured capsules.
  • Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) — The result. The electrolysis converts the salt, water, and vinegar into HOCl (the disinfectant) and a tiny amount of Sodium Hydroxide (a cleaner/degreaser).

Wait, isn't Sodium Hydroxide lye?

Yes, but the concentration is 0.0000003%. In standard cleaners, it's used at 1-5%. In Force of Nature, it's virtually non-existent—just enough to help cut grease, but not enough to irritate skin.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

  • EPA Registration — It's not just "natural"; it's federally proven to kill germs.
  • Mayo Clinic Rating — Received a 100% Skin Safe rating.
  • No Rinse Required — Safe for food contact surfaces, baby toys, and pet bowls.
  • Stone Safe — Unlike straight vinegar, the final pH is neutral enough for sealed granite and marble.

Red Flags (The Catch):

  • 2-Week Shelf Life — Because it has no preservatives, HOCl loses potency. You must use the bottle within 14 days. The device has a light ring to track this.
  • Smell — It smells distinctly like a swimming pool (chlorine). This is the natural smell of HOCl, not added fragrance. It dissipates quickly.
  • Plastic Waste — You still need to buy their plastic capsules. They are recyclable, but it's not a zero-waste system.

Force of Nature vs. The Competition

How does it stack up against other ways to kill germs?

MethodKills 99.9% Germs?Toxic Fumes?Safe for Skin?Stone Safe?
Force of Nature🚫
Bleach⚠️🚫🚫
Lysol (Quats)⚠️🚫
Vinegar (DIY)🚫🚫🚫
Hydrogen Peroxide🚫⚠️

Note on Vinegar: Vinegar is not a disinfectant. It cleans, but it does not meet EPA standards for killing viruses like Staph or Flu. Does Vinegar Kill Mold

The Bottom Line

1. Buy it for disinfection. It is the best tool for "sick season," cleaning up raw meat, or sanitizing baby gear.

2. Stick to soap for basic cleaning. You don't need to "disinfect" your coffee table daily. A simple castile soap spray is cheaper for dusting and basic wiping. Safest All Purpose Cleaner

3. Respect the timer. The 2-week expiration is real. Don't use "expired" water and expect it to kill Norovirus.

FAQ

Does Force of Nature kill mold?

Yes. It is EPA-registered to kill mold and mildew. However, like bleach, it kills the surface mold but may not penetrate porous surfaces (like drywall) as well as specialized remediation tools. Safest Mold Cleaner

Can I make my own capsules with table salt and vinegar?

No. The chemistry requires a precise pH balance to create HOCl instead of bleach gas or ineffective saltwater. Using your own mix voids the warranty and likely won't create a medical-grade disinfectant.

Does it bleach fabrics?

Generally, no. HOCl is an oxidant but is much milder than sodium hypochlorite (bleach). It is safe for most colorfast fabrics, but we always recommend a spot test on delicate darks.

Is it safe for pets?

Yes. It is completely safe if your dog licks the floor or their bowl immediately after you spray it. It is actually used in veterinary care for wound cleaning.


References (24)
  1. 1. youtube.com
  2. 2. forceofnatureclean.com
  3. 3. estado29.mx
  4. 4. thomchild.org
  5. 5. forceofnatureclean.com
  6. 6. forceofnatureclean.com
  7. 7. forceofnatureclean.com
  8. 8. thefiltery.com
  9. 9. alittleinsanity.com
  10. 10. ecoloxtech.com
  11. 11. slayathomemother.com
  12. 12. thenewknew.com
  13. 13. forceofnatureclean.com
  14. 14. curion.ca
  15. 15. forceofnatureclean.com
  16. 16. governmentofficetech.com
  17. 17. sarahfama.com
  18. 18. forceofnatureclean.com
  19. 19. climeco.com
  20. 20. envirocleanse.us
  21. 21. hocl.com
  22. 22. tinyhandstidyhome.com
  23. 23. lemonslavenderandlaundry.com
  24. 24. theholisticvanity.com

🛒 Product Recommendations

Force of Nature Starter Kit

Force of Nature

The safest way to disinfect your home effectively.

Recommended
CleanSmart Daily Disinfectant Spray

CleanSmart

A shelf-stable hypochlorous acid spray that requires no mixing. It is EPA List N registered (Reg No. 89896-2) to kill SARS-CoV-2 and is safe enough to use on pacifiers without rinsing.

Recommended
Anywhere Hard Surface Daily Sanitizing Spray

Clorox

Surprisingly, this mainstream Clorox product uses **hypochlorous acid (0.014%)** instead of bleach or Quats. It is NSF-certified for food-contact surfaces, making it a rare safe option in the cleaning aisle.

Recommended

Disinfecting Multi-Surface Cleaner

Seventh Generation

Uses **Thymol (0.05%)**, a botanical extract from thyme oil, as the active disinfectant. It is EPA-registered to kill 99.99% of germs but leaves a strong herbal scent that some users may find polarizing.

Recommended
Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner

Method

Unlike many 'antibacterial' sprays that use Quats, this specific line uses **Citric Acid (5.0%)** to kill germs. It effectively eliminates 99.9% of household bacteria while remaining free of the harshest pesticides.

Recommended

Disinfectant + Sanitizer

Clean Republic

A hospital-grade hypochlorous acid solution that is EPA registered for use against drug-resistant bacteria. It offers a higher-volume, pre-mixed alternative for those who don't want to brew their own solution.

Recommended
👌
Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner

Dr. Bronner's

A concentrated surfactant (soap) that excels at removing dirt and grease *before* disinfection. While it does not kill germs itself, it is free of preservatives and synthetic dyes, making it the ideal 'Step 1' cleaner.

Acceptable

Eco One

EcoloxTech

A direct competitor to Force of Nature that generates a higher concentration of HOCl (up to 200ppm). It is a better choice for high-volume users who need to make larger batches of disinfectant at once.

Recommended
Multi-Surface Sanitizer

Briotech

Produced in an FDA-registered facility, this shelf-stable HOCl spray is known for its high purity and stability. It is safe for skin contact and often used for wound care in addition to surface sanitizing.

Recommended
👌
Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant

Clorox Healthcare

Uses hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach to kill pathogens with a 1-minute contact time. While safer than Quats/Bleach, peroxide can still be a mild lung/eye irritant, so ventilation is recommended.

Acceptable
👌
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Better Life

A safe, plant-derived cleaner using soap bark extract and clary sage. It is **not** a disinfectant and will not kill viruses, but it is excellent for general chemical-free cleaning around kids and pets.

Acceptable
🚫
24 Hour Sanitizing Spray

Microban

Relies on a cocktail of **Quats** (Quaternium-24, Didecyldimonium Chloride) and polymers designed to adhere chemicals to surfaces for 24 hours. This increases prolonged exposure to known respiratory irritants.

Avoid
🚫

Disinfecting Wipes

Lysol

The active ingredient is **Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (Quats)**. These compounds are classified as asthmagens and are frequently misused on food surfaces without the required water rinse.

Avoid
🚫
Multi-Purpose Cleaner (Lavender)

Fabuloso

Contains **Glutaral (Glutaraldehyde)**, a potent chemical sensitizer and irritant often used to sterilize medical equipment, alongside synthetic fragrances and dyes. It poses unnecessary respiratory risks for daily home use.

Avoid
⚠️
Cleaning Vinegar

Aunt Fannie's

Frequently confused for a disinfectant, but vinegar (acetic acid) is **not EPA-registered** to kill Staph, Salmonella, or Coronaviruses. Use only for descaling and basic cleaning, not for sanitizing sick rooms.

Use Caution
🚫
Disinfecting Mist

Clorox

Despite the fine mist delivery, the active ingredients are **Quats**, not HOCl. The aerosolization of Quats significantly increases inhalation risk compared to wipes or liquid pours.

Avoid
⚠️

Sanitizing Spray Bottle

O3Waterworks

Uses aqueous ozone, which is unstable and degrades rapidly. While it can reduce germs, it lacks the EPA disinfectant registration of HOCl devices, making its 'kill rate' harder to verify for consumers.

Use Caution
⚠️

Original Multi-Surface Cleaner

Pine-Sol

While newer formulas use citric acid, many shelf versions still contain strong synthetic fragrances and glycolic acid. The strong scent often masks harsh chemical fumes that can trigger migraines or asthma.

Use Caution
🚫

Antibacterial All Purpose Cleaner

Lysol

Contains **Benzalkonium Chloride**, a Quat linked to contact dermatitis and respiratory issues. Unlike peroxide or HOCl, it leaves a residue that must be rinsed off food-contact surfaces.

Avoid

💡 We don't accept payment for recommendations. Some links may be affiliate links.

📖 Related Research

🧹

Explore more

More about Cleaning Products

A clean home shouldn't make you sick