Why Electrolyzed Water Is A Game Changer For A Home Cleaning Routine

Keeping the home clean involves a lot of different products because every surface seems to need something different. As we use these different substances in the home, though, some of these products can produce harmful fumes and chemicals that aren't good for us or the atmosphere. In fact, a lot of the common cleaning products we use regularly have ingredients that are doing more harm than good, so it's necessary to explore better alternatives. One such alternative is electrolyzed water because it is both an effective cleaning tool and non-toxic to boot.

According to an article in the chemistry journal Molecules, electrolyzed water can clean, disinfect, and fight bacteria. It also contains none of the harmful chemicals you might find in some other cleaning products (via National Library of Medicine). So, what exactly is electrolyzed water? It's what results from when normal water, salt, and vinegar are combined and an electric current is passed through, which changes the chemistry makeup of the mix. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) are formed, turning the water into a cleaner and sanitizer. Electrolyzed water is typically used in the food industry for washing produce and surfaces where food is prepared, but it can also be useful in your home cleaning routine.

Electrolyzed water provides you with a multipurpose cleaning solution that you can use like any other to clean surfaces around the home. Spray it on the dirty surface and wipe down to clean, just like you would use a DIY cleaning mix in a spray bottle. One added bonus is that there's no need to wear gloves or rinse off the solution since the water is, well ... water.

Because electrolyzed water both cleans and disinfects, we recommend using it on the dirtiest surfaces in your home like door handles, light switches, computer keyboards, and remote controls, to name a few. Another common use of electrolyzed water is to clean laundry so it can be a handy bleach alternative when you want to lift stains and brighten your items. Use it in your washing machine, ideally between 50 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will kill germs without damaging the fabrics, affecting the colors, or irritating the skin after.

Something to note about electrolyzed water is that it can't be bought like any other cleaner. It has to be created when needed using a special machine and product and then used quickly because it can't last for more than a few weeks. That expiration date has created the demand for electrolyzed water DIY kits that can be used at home.

A popular product we found was the Force of Nature electrolysis machine that helps you create your own electrolyzed water right at home. You just need to drop Activator Capsules in and you'll get a multi-purpose cleaner liquid. They sell a $70 Starter Kit which includes the appliance, capsules, and a spray bottle (via Force of Nature). There is also Nellie's Ninety-Nine. It works similarly but has been created to use electrolyzed water as more of an odor deodorizer, which is yet another function of electrolyzed water. This kit costs $100 and contains the machine and bottle ... although you'll have to provide the table salt.