Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in the Force of Nature Starter Kit?
Each Starter Kit contains: Electrolyzer with power cord, Spray Bottle (12 oz), 5 Activator Capsules (each makes enough multi-purpose cleaner, disinfectant & deodorizer to last 2 weeks). Just add your own water right from the tap.
How does Force of Nature Work?
Force of Nature is a patent-pending appliance that uses electricity to change the chemical composition of salt, water and vinegar into a powerful cleaner & disinfectant from the industrial space called electrolyzed water. Electrolyzed water has no harmful ingredients, residues or fumes and contains just 2 gentle, yet potent ingredients:
• Hypochlorous acid – a disinfectant that's as effective as bleach. Hypochlorous acid is the same substance your white blood cells produce to fight infection, and it's commonly the active ingredient in wound, eye and veterinary care products because it's so gentle and effective. It's a type of chlorine. Most people don't know that there are different types of chlorine; hypochlorous acid is very different from sodium hypochlorite (bleach) because it's so gentle. Hypochlorous acid is gentle enough to spray on the surfaces children come into contact with.
• Sodium hydroxide – a detergent & grease-cutter without suds. Contains just 0.0000003% yet cleans as well as major brands that have up to 5%.
Does Force of Nature have a scent?
Force of Nature has zero added fragrances. It has a light swimming pool scent that's naturally created when salt, water & vinegar are electrolyzed. The scent is from the active ingredient, hypochlorous acid, which is the same ingredient commonly used in wound, eye & veterinary care products because it's so gentle and effective. Hypochlorous acid is the same type of chlorine your immune system produces to fight infection. Most people think there is only one type of chlorine, which is bleach (sodium hypochlorite). In reality, hypochlorous acid is the gentle hero of the chlorine family!
Is Force of Nature a disinfectant & sanitizer?
Yes Force of Nature is an EPA registered disinfectant & sanitizer that kills 99.9% of germs*, including Salmonella, Norovirus, Listeria, STAPH, MRSA, Pseudomonas & Influenza A when used as directed. It exceeds the EPA standard as an anti-microbial disinfectant. The EPA has registered Force of Nature for use as a disinfectant and sanitizer in hospitals, schools, daycares, veterinary clinics, restaurants, hotels, fitness facilities and more. The registration number is #93040-1. To secure the EPA registration, a product is tested using extremely rigorous anti-microbial testing protocols over multiple lots. Suppliers, purity, concentration & processing of all individual ingredients have to be approved, with strict statistical limits on all. The product also goes through rigorous safety reviews.
Does Force of Nature kill viruses?
Yes Force of Nature is an EPA registered disinfectant & sanitizer as effective as bleach that's certified for use in hospitals. It kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. For coronavirus, the CDC recommends avoiding exposure and frequently using EPA-registered disinfectants on all high-touch surfaces.
What are the usage directions for disinfecting?
On hard, non-porous surfaces, clean surface of soil or residue so that the disinfectant can come into contact with all areas of the surface. Spray Force of Nature on the surface until it's thoroughly wet. Allow the surface to remain wet for 10 minutes. Let air dry or wipe surface with clean cloth or towel.
Does it work with hard water or well water?
If you have hard water (> 100ppm), please use a water softener, distilled or de-ionized water instead of tap water. This is because the minerals in hard water interfere with the chemistry, making the cleaner less effective, and can shorten the life of your Force of Nature.
Can I add my own fragrance or essential oils to Force of Nature?
You should not add any oils to Force of Nature because it interferes with the chemistry & results in reduced efficacy.
Why does the Force of Nature solution only last 2 weeks?
Just like bubbles in a carbonated drink, hypochlorous acid starts to dissipate over time. To be sure Force of Nature is at its optimal power, you should use it within 2 weeks. The bottle is 12 oz, vs a typical cleaner which is around 26-32 oz. Because you can use it for all your cleaning, disinfecting & deodorizing needs (replacing disinfectants, deodorizers, surface, bathroom & glass cleaners), you’ll find you use it up quickly. The light ring around the bottom of the Electrolyzer is color coded to let you know when it’s time to make a new batch.
Is it easy to make?
Yes – it’s super simple to make. Simply fill the Electrolyzer with regular tap water, squeeze in one Activator Capsule and plug it in. Push the start button and in about 9 minutes, you can pour the solution into the Spray Bottle. Now you’re ready to clean, disinfect & deodorize.
What is the shelf life of Activator Capsules?
The Activator Capsules last 2 years from the date they were produced.
Product Use
On what types of surfaces can I use Force of Nature?
Force of Nature can be used virtually anywhere you need to clean, deodorize, disinfect, or sanitize! Use it on glass, sealed stone, stainless steel, wood, composite, laminate, plastic, rubber, porcelain, vinyl, colorfast rugs and more.
Can I use Force of Nature on stone?
Yes you can use Force of Nature on sealed stone like granite. Unlike vinegar, Force of Nature is safe on sealed stone because of the chemistry change that happens when the solution is electrolyzed.
Has Force of Nature been tested by an independent party?
Yes Force of Nature has been tested by a 3rd party independent lab. Those lab test results are here. Force of Nature has also been given the highest rating by SkinSafe, the Mayo Clinic's rating system for product safety for skin allergies.
Are there any cleaning jobs Force of Nature won't work for?
Because Force of Nature doesn't have whiteners, it won't remove stains like rust or hard water from porous surfaces. The upside of this is that you can use it on rugs & carpets, where it's as effective as Resolve, but without harmful chemicals. Always 1st test for color-fastness in an inconspicuous spot & let dry before proceeding. Don't use it on fabrics labeled "Use only non-chlorine bleach", since hypochlorous acid is a type of chlorine.
Do I use the implements I typically use when I clean?
Yes – you can use the same sponges, scrub brushes, towels or paper towels you currently use. For cleaning jobs that require an abrasive (like with soap scum), use your regular scrub brush or scrubby sponge. On glass, because Force of Nature has no drying accelerants like ammonia or alcohol based cleaners do, wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel until the surface is completely dry.
Does it leave behind any kind of film or residue?
Force of Nature doesn't leave behind the harmful residues that conventional cleaners & disinfectants do. Spray it on any surface and wipe dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. On glass & stainless steel, because Force of Nature has no drying accelerants like ammonia or alcohol based cleaners do, wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel until the surface is completely dry.
Is Force of Nature safe for septic systems?
Yes.
I like to get all my cleaning done at once, so I’ll probably use more than 12 ounces of Force of Nature when I clean. What’s the most efficient way to do that?
After you’ve made your first bottle of Force of Nature, unplug the base for 30 seconds & then plug it back in. Now you’re ready to make your next batch.
Can I recycle the capsules?
Yes the Activator Capsules are recyclable and they are recycling code #5.
How do I properly store my Electrolyzer? Do I need to rinse it?
After each cycle, fill the Electrolyzer bottle half way with tap water, gently shake, then empty. Dry upside down. If you live in a very humid environment, spray some Force of Nature into the rinsed bottle prior to turning it upside down to dry.
How It's Different
What makes Force of Nature different from other natural or green cleaners?
Force of Nature starts with ONLY 3 ingredients – water, salt & vinegar. There are no dyes, fragrances, preservatives, surfactants and it's hypoallergenic. Many natural cleaning products use botanical-sounding ingredients, but many of those are actually harmful allergens & irritants. Thymol is a great example – though it’s derived from thyme oil, it’s a known allergen. And because manufacturers aren’t required to disclose all of a product’s ingredients on its label, it’s sometimes hard to know what’s hiding in a cleaning product. Another example is that many "natural cleaners" contain methylisothiazolinone, a preservative linked to allergies, lung, neurological and organ toxicity. Force of Nature has been given the highest rating by SkinSAFE, the Mayo Clinic's rating system for product safety for skin allergies. That evaluation of the Force of Nature ingredients is here. Force of Nature is gentle enough to use without gloves. Last, Force of Nature is an EPA registered disinfectant & sanitize that kills 99.9% of germs*, including Salmonella, Norovirus, Listeria, STAPH, MRSA, Pseudomonas & Influenza A when used as directed. It exceeds the EPA standard as an anti-microbial disinfectant. The EPA has designated Force of Nature as suitable for use as a disinfectant in a variety of medical facilities including hospitals.
How is Force of Nature better than just making a DIY cleaner with vinegar?
Vinegar is not an EPA registered disinfectant and sanitizer, which means you can't rely on it to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses. Cleaning with regular vinegar damages stone surfaces including granite, marble, travertine, limestone & onyx, while Force of Nature can be used on sealed stone. Regular vinegar corrodes grout & rubber over time; Force of Nature does not. Vinegar also doesn't have the same cleaning efficacy. Force of Nature is just as effective as conventional cleaners including bleach, Formula 409 (on grease), Windex (on glass), Febreze (on odors), Scrubbing Bubbles (on soap scum).
Is this the same as diluted bleach?
No, hypochlorous acid is not the same as bleach; it has a different chemical composition than bleach (sodium hypochlorite). The formula for sodium hypochlorite is NaOCl and the formula for hypochlorous acid is HOCl. Hypochlorous acid is a type of chlorine, but most people don't know that there are actually different types of chlorine. Hypochlorous acid is the same substance your white blood cells produce to fight infection. And it's so gentle it's used in wound healing, eye care and veterinary care products. Bleach is defined as 1) having a pH of 11+ 2) being at a concentration high enough to remove the color from fabric and 3) 99%+ NaOCl; none of these apply to hypochlorous acid. An interesting fact is that you need a lot more bleach to achieve the same anti-microbial power as hypochlorous acid. The order of magnitude varies by microbe, but overall HOCl is a much more efficient antimicrobial than bleach, so you don't need nearly as much. That's why it's used in so many industrial applications where gentleness (on for example on skin, animals, produce) is critical.
Why hasn’t this been done before?
Electrolyzed water, the solution that the Force of Nature appliance creates using salt, water & vinegar, is a technology that’s been used in the industrial space for decades. However until now, it required huge equipment accessible only to large companies & institutions because it costs $10,000+. Force of Nature is the only appliance that makes an EPA registered disinfectant right on your countertop.
Cleaning Tips
Glass & stainless steel
Force of Nature doesn’t contain drying accelerants like alcohol or ammonia-based products, so we recommend spraying then wiping until it's 100% dry with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.
Soap scum
Depending on build up & surface porosity, you may need a mild abrasive like baking soda with a scrub brush. Soap scum builds up in layers, so it may take a few applications with your abrasive to remove them.
Grease & oil
Spray until surface is saturated thoroughly then wipe with a clean paper towel or sponge. If you're cleaning a surface where the grease has been cooked on a little, you may need to let Force of Nature sit on the surface for 2 minutes before you wipe it.
Set in odors on rugs
Always 1st test in an inconspicuous spot to ensure the dyes used are truly colorfast and wait until the tested area is dry before proceeding. This is because there is wide variety in the types of dyes, fibers and processes for making rugs colorfast. Saturate all the layers that have been soiled until they are soaked, then let dry (don't rinse).
Sports equipment
The first time you use Force of Nature, spray the equipment until it is soaked, then let dry (don't rinse). That will kill the odor-causing bacteria at its source. For on-going odor control, just spray Force of Nature after each use to prevent new odors from starting.
Pet accidents on rugs
Always 1st test in an inconspicuous spot to ensure the dyes used are truly colorfast and wait until the tested area is dry before proceeding. This is because there is wide variety in the types of dyes, fibers and processes for making rugs colorfast. Clean up the soil as much as possible with dry paper towels or cloths. Next, spray the surface until it is soaked with Force of Nature, wait for 2 minutes, then use clean paper towels or cloths to wipe up any remaining soil. It's critical to spray all the layers of the rug that have been soiled. For example you should spray even the under side of the rug if the accident has soaked through. That will stop the odor at its source. Let the surface dry and if any odor remains, go through the process again to ensure all layers of the surface have been saturated with Force of Nature.
Spills on rugs & furniture
Always 1st test in an inconspicuous spot to ensure the dyes used are truly colorfast and wait until the tested area is dry before proceeding. This is because there is wide variety in the types of dyes, fibers and processes for making fabrics and rugs colorfast. Blot the spill, spray Force of Nature, then wipe (repeat if necessary). It cleans as well as Resolve and won’t remove color like bleach does.
Thermoses, straw cups, sippy cups, water bottles
To clean these, empty of all liquid, then spray in enough Force of Nature to get all the areas wet. Shake it to get the cleaner into all the nooks & crannies. Let sit for 10 minutes, then shake out any remaining liquid.
Brass & Copper
On brass and copper, either rinse with water or wipe until it's thoroughly dry because Force of Nature shouldn't sit on soft metals over time.
Safety
Do I need to wear protective gloves when using Force of Nature?
No, you can put away your gloves & hazmat suit! Force of Nature is gentle, hypoallergenic and fine to use without gloves. Force of Nature has been given the highest rating by SkinSafe, the Mayo Clinic's rating system for product safety for skin allergies.
Can I use my own salt & vinegar instead of the Force of Nature capsules?
No - the reason you need the capsules is the chemistry is so sensitive that the EPA requires the capsules as part of our approval to sell this as a disinfectant. Getting the pH precisely right ensures that the right concentration of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is created. The wrong pH can result in bleach, a solution that doesn’t meet EPA-required anti-microbial standards, or a shorter shelf life.
In your User Guide I see caution statements that look like other ones I have seen. Why?
Rest assured Force of Nature has zero toxic chemicals. The reason we include the caution statements is that as part of our EPA registration, the EPA requires specific language to comply with their regulations. The concentration of salt water in our Capsules is what requires the specific caution language you see. You'll see it is dramatically different than a Safety Data Sheet for conventional disinfectants.
Do your bottles contain BPA or BPS?
No, our bottles do not contain BPA or BPS.
What happens if I use more than 1 capsule at a time?
You should never use more than 1 capsule at a time. Creating just the right pH can only be done using one capsule and is critical to creating a safe, effective cleaner, disinfectant & deodorizer. Always use as directed.