Hypochlorous Acid – an effective and safe disinfectant you can make at home.

Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL) in bleach is the molecule responsible for killing dangerous pathogens. Without the rest of the components of bleach, and in the proper concentration, it is safe enough to treat blepharitis, an infection of the eyelids, yet homemade Hypochlorous Acid is stronger than bleach in its ability to kill mold, bacteria and viruses. Plus, since it’s made from water, salt (without iodine or anti-caking agents), distilled white vinegar and electricity, once you have your setup and supplies, you can make all you need for pennies a gallon. If you are having a hard time finding hand sanitizers or even isopropyl alcohol, this might be a solution.

Here’s an HOCL product sold to treat eyelids:

https://tinyurl.com/vzldkrs

If you do decide to use HOCL for this purpose, please research how to make it at the proper concentration.

You can use it to disinfect surfaces, hands, food, clothes and laundry, wounds – among other things, I use it in a Rug Doctor to clean and disinfect carpets and furniture.

A video on how to make it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRLSP0t3CUA

Be sure to add one teaspoon of white vinegar to one liter, to lower the PH and help stabilize the solution. Since it will break down chemically over time, it is best if used within  a month.

You’ll need a 12-volt power supply. In a pinch, a car battery charger will work, if you use one at 12 volts, one or two amps. I have a variable power supply that I also use to remove rust via electrolysis, and to galvanize tools.

Here is a source of the graphite electrodes you’ll need:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=graphite+electrodes&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Since face touching is such an automatic, unconscious habit, a disinfectant you can use on hands and face would be a good thing to have. I spray it on my cloth face masks - while wearing them - for an added layer of protection. You can't do that with bleach or alcohol.

Here is an EPA list of disinfectants effective against coronavirus, including Hypochlorous Acid:

https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2

And another article about Hypochlorous Acid:

https://www.woundsresearch.com/article/hypochlorous-acid-ideal-wound-care-agent-powerful-microbicidal-antibiofilm-and-wound-healing

Finally, if you would prefer to purchase a commercially made device to generate HOCL, here is a good one:

https://store.ecoloxtech.com/ecoone

Stay safe.