Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) also known as “electrolyzed water” is scientifically proven to be superior than bleach due to their fundamental differences in pH which affects the percentage of reactive chlorine species present (More on this later…).
Hypochlorous Acid is predominant at a pH range of 5-7 and is at its highest efficiency while bleach (sodium hypochlorite) resides at a more alkaline pH of > 8, a range in which -OCl (Hypochlorite ions) are predominant and are not as effective as HOCl at pathogen eradication due to their negatively charged state.
The pH value of a chlorine solution greatly affects its efficacy, at a range of 5-6 pH chlorine efficacy is at its highest due to the presence of near 100% hypochlorous acid.
This however changes exponentially as the pH rises above a neutral 7, after which hypochlorite (-OCl) ions become predominant while the percentage of hypochlorous acid gets as low as 20% near a pH value of 8-9.
You’re probably wondering why all this chemistry matters? isn’t hypochlorite just as effective as HOCl? well to be brief. No.
Hypochlorous Acid due to its neutral charge is far more effective than hypochlorite as it easily penerates the negatively charged pathogen membranes and destroys them from within.
Key Takeaways
- The effectiveness of chlorine solutions hinges on pH levels. Hypochlorous acid dominates at pH 5-6, but efficacy drops significantly as pH rises above 7 due to increased hypochlorite ions.
- Hypochlorous acid, with its neutral charge, outperforms hypochlorite in penetrating pathogen membranes, ensuring more effective disinfection.
- The ideal pH range for chlorine solutions lies between 5-7, where the concentration of hypochlorous acid is highest, ensuring both efficacy and safety.
- Research indicates that HOCl achieves faster kill times against various pathogens compared to bleach, highlighting its superior effectiveness.
- Modern advancements enable stable formulation of hypochlorous acid solutions with longer shelf life, leading to increased adoption across industries.
- HOCl is biodegradable, non-toxic, and minimally contributes to indoor air pollution, making it safer and more environmentally friendly than bleach.
- HOCl has emerged as a valuable disinfectant during the COVID-19 pandemic, recommended by the US EPA for its efficacy against the virus.
- HOCl presents a safer alternative to bleach for medical waste disposal, reducing costs and streamlining disposal processes in healthcare facilities.
Hypochlorous Acid Vs Bleach: How pH affects Chlorine Efficiency
pH greatly affects how effective, harmful or useful chlorine disinfectants can be based on the presence of free available chlorine (FAC).
The more acidic the solution the more chlorine gas is released as a by product after disassosciation in water. On the flipside, if the solution is highly alkaline it creates a high concenteration of -OCl ions as is the case in most bleach based cleaners which are highly alkaline in nature.
The ideal range of disinfection for a chlorine solution lies in the middle, between a pH of 5-7 chlorine is at its highest efficiency while also being the safest.
It’s in this range that we get the highest concenteration of HOCl which has far superior antibacterial properties than its counterpart hypochlorite.
Hypochlorous acid (electrolyzed water) is a weak acid produced by electrolyzing a solution containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and water, resulting in a slightly acidic HOCl solution. This active ingredient mimics the germ-killing properties of bleach but with a safer profile for human health and the environment.
Efficacy Against Pathogens: Sodium Hypochlorite vs Hypochlorous Acid
Now that we have understood why the pH levels of disinfectants matter, lets have a look at statistics and data behind HOCl vs Bleach against germs at a microscopic level.
When you use bleach, it’s repelled by pathogens due to shared negative charges. This makes it hard for bleach to penetrate the cell walls of pathogens which are also negatively charged. Due to its inability to penentrate the cell, NaOCl cannot do its job effectively.
Despite the fact that bleach owes its weaker germ killing properties to the hypochlorous acid present in it, which is reduced siginificantly due to the high pH of NaOCl solutions.
Contrast this with hypochlorous acid, which carries a neutral charge. This allows it to slip through pathogen cell walls, neutralizing them from the inside out, much like your white blood cells do.
Pre-cleaning surfaces with soap and water can enhance this process.
Here is the research backed data of kill times (99.99% reduction) for you to have a good idea of HOCl’s efficacy compared to NaOCl (Bleach):
(Note that this data has been collected from multiple researches, as there is no one single comparision of NaOCl (Bleach) with HOCl.)
it’s crucial to note that hypochlorous acid, even at just 200 ppm, can neutralize most enveloped viruses within a mere 0.5 to 5 minutes. It requires twice, thrice sometimes even ten times as less to be twice as effective as its counterpart, NaOCl (Bleach)!
Ultimately, you’ll need less hypochlorous acid to achieve greater disinfection efficacy than bleach and that’s a proven fact.
But all this begs the question. “Why is Hypochlorous Acid not used predominantly over bleach if its that much better?”
The answer? Because hypochlorous acid used to be hard to formulate at a stable pH with a long shelf life.
Thanks to modern technological advancements however, it is now possible to generate a more stable hypochlorous solution of near neutral pH with a shelf life of upto 1 year through what’s known as “Single cell electrolysis” (Read more about that & how HOCL is formed here.)
This is leading to a jump in HOCl adaption across all industries and sectors, and its only a matter of time before everyone picks it up. You among many must have seen the rise of Hypochlorous acid in skincare products on popular platforms like TikTok, perhaps that’s even how you found yourself here!
Health & Environmental Impact: Hypochlorous Acid vs Sodium Hypochlorite
When you choose a disinfectant, it’s not just about how well it kills germs – you also need to consider the environmental footprint it leaves behind. The environmental impact of bleach is quite significant, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that increase indoor air pollution and harm our natural resources.
Infact, you’d be surprised to know that calls to all US state poison centers increased by 20.4% in 2022, with disinfectant-related calls increasing by 16.4%!
More surprising is that from 2019 to 2020, there was a substantial increase in disinfectant-related calls by 42.8%, symptom-related calls surged by 57.3%, The majority of exposures, ranging from 94.8% to 97.1%, happened at home, and ingestion accounted for 59.7% of cases.
Here are some key reasons why hypochlorous acid is superior to sodium hypochlorite (bleach) for disinfection.
- It’s completely biodegradable. Breaking down into water and salt (NaCl).
- It doesn’t harm living organisms or the environment, ensuring minimal waste of natural resources.
- It doesn’t contribute to indoor air pollution.
- It reduces calls to poison control centers due to its safe handling properties.
- It’s highly efficacious, requiring less quantity for greater disinfection.
- Transitioning to hypochlorous acid only necessitates minor adjustments to your cleaning protocols.
- Hypochlorous acid is non-toxic and less corrosive, making it safer for various surfaces and individuals.
Research supports the superior germ-killing properties of hypochlorous acid cleaner compared to bleach, making HOCL products highly effective for infection control in healthcare centers
Application of HOCL in the Covid-19 Pandemic Era
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the use of hypochlorous acid as a disinfectant has gained traction due to its efficacy against harmful pathogens, including the coronavirus.
Its ability to sanitize food contact surfaces and combat a wide range of viruses and bacteria has made it a valuable tool in healthcare settings and households alike, emphasizing the importance of hypochlorous acid for businesses.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has recommended Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL) against COVID-19 as an effective prevention solution.
Hypochlorous Acid Reduces Medical Waste Disposal Costs
Hypochlorous acid is gaining attention as a safer alternative to bleach for medical waste disposal. It effectively kills pathogens while being non-toxic and non-irritating. This can help healthcare facilities in reducing medical waste costs by streamlining their disposal process and reducing the need for expensive hazardous waste disposal methods.
Conclusion & Frequently Asked Questions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) is a powerful antimicrobial agent with a fascinating history and a wide range of benefits across various industries, from healthcare to agriculture to environmental applications. Its ability to effectively combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while being gentle on healthy cells, makes it a versatile and safe option for multiple uses. With no serious side effects reported so far, HOCl is gaining popularity for its efficacy and minimal environmental impact. To uncover more about this incredible chemical and its potential applications.
We encourage you to read the full article above to fully grasp why Hypochlorous Acid is catching headlines in 2025.
References & Sources
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196655320303114#tbl0004
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/00220345231169434
- https://www.cloroxpro.com/products/clorox-healthcare/bleach-germicidal-disinfectants/?upc=044600303581#section-2
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6255518/#:~:text=Hypochlorous%20acid%20(HOCl)%20is%20a,yet%20is%20nontoxic%20to%20humans.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1853323/
- https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/essential-medicines/2021-eml-expert-committee/expert-reviews/a18_hocl_rev1.pdf?sfvrsn=858a7374_8
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, hypochlorous acid is stronger than bleach. It can be upto 100 times more effective, needs less quantity, and works quicker. Plus, it’s gentler on skin, making it a superior choice for serving others safely.
Yes, hypochlorous acid is safer than bleach. It’s less corrosive, doesn’t emit harmful fumes, and is gentler on surfaces. You won’t have to worry about harmful residue, making it a better choice for frequent use.
You use hypochlorous acid instead of bleach because it’s more effective at killing germs. Its neutral charge lets it penetrate pathogen walls easily. Plus, it’s safer and requires fewer adjustments to your cleaning routine than bleach.
Hypochlorous acid is a superior cleaner than bleach. It’s more potent, requires less quantity, and acts faster. Unlike bleach, it doesn’t emit harmful VOCs, making it safer for you and better for the environment.
Sultan Alam Khan leads HOCl Hub as Editor in Chief, where he oversees product reviews and guides on cleaning solutions. Specializing in hypochlorous acid applications and green cleaning technology, he helps readers choose effective, eco-friendly disinfection products.
His expertise spans sustainable sanitization methods, chemical safety, and environmental health. At HOCl Hub, Sultan ensures all content meets strict editorial standards for accuracy and scientific backing.
