Most of us can appreciate the extra-fresh smell of a newly cleaned room, but what about the toxic chemicals that are used to get that “bleach-clean” smell?
As we move farther away from toxic chemicals like bleach, ammonia, and air fresheners, we are left having to find a better solution while still getting a top-quality clean.
If you’re not a huge fan of your house smelling like vinegar or continuously buying plastic spray bottles this just might be the option for you!
After a friend of mine told me about Force of Nature, I decided to give it a try and found that it was a safe and healthy alternative to toxic cleaners that are still out there today. I LOVE the clean smell it has without any harmful chemicals. It has a light chlorine smell that dissipates within minutes leaving your house clean and sanitized.
Here I detail my thoughts about the product, how to use it, and some pertinent information that may help you decide if it’s right for you. Keep reading for answers to the questions below:
- What is Force of Nature?
- What is in the Spray Bottle?
- Will Force of Nature kill as many germs as bleach would?
- How long does it last? Warranty & Expiry Information
- The Benefits of the Electrolyzer Base
- Where can I use Force of Nature Cleaner?
- How is Force of Nature Eco-Friendly?
- Where can I buy Force of Nature Refills?
- Does Force of Nature Sell as an Eco-Friendly Wholesale Cleaner?
This article is NOT sponsored by the company. Force of Nature did NOT send us a starter kit or influence this article in any way. I tried it in my own home and decided to share my thoughts with you.
The links in this article are affiliate links, meaning that if you click the link, I may get a small portion of the sale at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with the links provided in this article. In no way does this affect our description or review of the Force of Nature products.
First off…What is Force of Nature?
Well, a picture says 1000 words so you need to see what the three main components are to understand how Force of Nature works with just salt, water, and vinegar.
Images from Force of Nature Website
1. The Electrolyzer Appliance
The main appliance plugs into the wall and is filled with water and an activator capsule. It uses electrical current to create a new, safe, bleach-like solution in just 9 minutes.
2. The Activator Capsules
These tiny capsules are the perfect ratio of salt and vinegar to be used in the Electrolyzer, along with water to create a safe and effective cleaning solution. The activator initially smells of vinegar, but once it has been electrolyzed, it changes to a mild chlorine smell.
3. The Spray bottle
The container you will reuse over and over again, to fill your electrolyzed solution to minimize plastic and energy cost associated with the shipments of heavy cleaning supplies.
What is in the Spray Bottle?
One of the reasons I decided to try Force of Nature is because it contains no fragrances, additives, or dyes which are harmful to my children who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Once the solution of water and vinegar/salt activator has been mixed in the electrolyzer for 9 minutes, the science behind it is very simple. The salt and water molecules break apart during electrolyzation to form two new molecules: hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide.
Hypochlorous acid is also made within the human body, so it is safe for wound care and eye-care products. It is the disinfectant part of the solution.
Sodium Hydroxide is the degreaser portion of the solution. In a mixed solution, it accounts for such a very small percentage of the total bottle, that it is not toxic in this ratio.
The vinegar stabilizes the PH of the solution so that it is safe for human hands and surfaces alike.
Force of Nature has been given the highest rating by SkinSafe, the Mayo Clinic’s rating system for product safety for skin allergies. [1]
Will Force of Nature kill as many germs as bleach would?
This talking point is still very pertinent as we continue to struggle with the tail-end (or continuous) COVID-19 pandemic. Force of Nature claims that it is even better than bleach. It is an EPA-registered disinfectant & sanitizer as effective as bleach that’s registered for use in hospitals, ICUs, schools, daycares, and more. Force of Nature is on EPA’s List of Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).[2]
Since I don’t have a laboratory inside my house, I also did my own research. Here is a short clip that I found when researching the effectiveness of Force of Nature. It demonstrates in a laboratory how effective Force of Nature is at killing germs on common surfaces such as TV Remote Controls, and Soccer Shin Pads.
As you can see in the video, Force of Nature actually killed the majority of the germs on both surfaces safely and effectively.
Is the Mild Chlorine Smell Toxic?
This is one of the things that confused me at first. If it smells like chlorine bleach, how can it be safe? Well, we reached out to the company and asked them just that. They have since put a statement out describing the following:
The swimming-pool scent is chlorine, not bleach. There are actually different types of chlorine (most people don’t know that), and Force of Nature makes a type called hypochlorous acid (HOCI). It’s the same type of chlorine your white blood cells produce to keep you healthy. It’s also commonly used in wound, eye, and veterinary care products because it’s so safe and effective. It’s very different from sodium hypochlorite (bleach, which is NaCIO, a different chemical altogether).
Force of Nature
How long does it last?
Warranty & Expiry Information
The Mixed Solution
The solution will become ineffective after two weeks of initial mixing. The best thing to do is to label each bottle with a mix date so that you don’t end up trying to clean with an expired bottle. Cleaning with an expired bottle is akin to cleaning with water, so try and use it up before the two weeks are up. I find that I can go through one bottle every two weeks if I spit it up among a few bottles, one in each room.
The Electrolyzer Base
The Electrolyzer Base has a warranty of one year.
The Activation Capsules
The activation capsules can be stored for up to 5 years and remain effective.
The Happiness Guarantee
Force of Nature has a happiness guarantee, meaning that if you are not satisfied with the products, you may return them within 30 days (the cost of return shipment is the responsibility of the consumer though).
The Benefits of the Electrolyzer Base
The Electrolyzer can be kept plugged in, or stored until required. If you leave your base plugged in, you will notice four different color lights throughout the two weeks.
The blue light will indicate that your solution is being made.
The green light will indicate that your solution has been made at the end of the 9-minute mix.
The yellow light at the end of the two weeks will indicate that your solution needs to be used up soon before it expires.
And the red light will let you know that your solution is now expired and needs to be remade with a new activator capsule.
This can serve as a night light, or just a way to monitor your product so that you’re cleaning with the most potent solution possible.
Where can I use Force of Nature Cleaner?
Force of Nature is best used for things that need disinfecting and hard surfaces where you want that sparkle clean, like mirrors, windows, and granite countertops. Because the solution doesn’t bubble up, you may feel that you’re cleaning with water, but the mild smell and clean surface indicate that it’s doing the trick.
You can even use Force of Nature in places that you may never consider, like in a vase with cut flowers to elongate the lifespan, as a way to sanitize your makeup brushes, lunch boxes, and stinky garbage pails. When it comes to ‘hard to clean objects like toys, lego, and camping gear, just spray Force of Nature and let them air dry to disinfect and kill 99.9% of the germs.
How is Force of Nature Eco-Friendly?
Force of Nature is an eco-friendly product on a few fronts. Firstly, the product is sold in small recyclable plastic vials that cost a fraction to ship than traditional cleaners that are shipping heavy water across the country. The water used in Force of Nature cleaning solution is from our own taps.
Force of Nature utilizes ONLY the small refill vials as single-use plastic. This is much better than buying a bottle of “METHOD” in which that whole spray bottle is a single-use plastic!
The recycle code for the activator vials is #5 which can easily be recycled in many city-wide programs.
Force of Nature also uses ZERO fragrances, dyes, and harmful chemicals in production, making it even lower on the carbon output scale and does not pollute our waterways!
Force of Nature is also Green Seal certified, meaning it is awarded the highest sustainability standards in 4 areas: protecting human health, preserving the climate, ensuring clean water, and minimizing waste.[3]
What about the cost?
I’ll admit, the cost of Force of Nature at first seems a little steep as a cleaner, but the more you use it, the cheaper it gets. Since the quality of sanitization and cleaning it provides is excellent, you’re more likely to use Force of Nature for years to come. Compared to other everyday household cleaner, Force of Nature is a steal! And, if we compare that to other eco-friendly non-toxic cleaners, Force of Nature looks even better for your pocketbook! If you’re buying in bulk, Force of Nature can cost as little as $0.09 per bottle!
Where can I buy the Force of Nature Refills?
Force of Nature refills can be bought on Amazon or the company website. The company does not recommend trying to mix your solution, as the ratios may not be in line with producing a safe solution. It will also void your warranty on your electrolyzer.
Does Force of Nature Sell as an Eco-Friendly Wholesale Cleaner?
I think this would be a great solution for any business that is looking to clean a large space. It will disinfect, provide a clean fresh smell, and keep chemicals at bay. The company does provide quotes for anybody looking to buy more than 8 units at a time. This is also a great solution for any food business or daycare business, as you can ensure cleanliness without contamination and harmful products to your customers.
Overall: How Does Force of Nature Rate?
After using this product and examining the TRUE pros and cons, I have come up with this list. Do I think it’s worth the investment? My answer would be YES. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning product to use for years to come, Force of Nature is cost effective and reliable for your home, work, and family.
5 Responses
This is interesting and I know for sure my aunt was talking about this the other day. It would be good to pass this to her. Thank you for sharing!
Once again, this article is well researched and presented.
It is always a difficult balance choosing products on the spectrum of toxicity (with their associated levels of effectiveness). I do use some more aggressive cleaning agents in a clinical (dental) setting for highly critical areas. However, hypochlorous acid is indeed what I use for general surfaces outside of the clinical treatment area and around the house (home based office).
I think you are correct in identifying this type of product as appropriate for general home use. It is a good balance of effectiveness and safety… and as you mention there are ecological benefits.
This is so cool! I definitely need to add this to my cleaning supplies – I am all about keeping as many toxins and chemicals out as possible. We get enough of that everywhere else 🙂
I never knew there were different types of chlorine. Found that really interesting!
This product seems really good. I need something eco friendly to clean my bathroom. I allow customers to use my bathrooms and I do want to clean up after them in a eco friendly way… Thank you!