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Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has been gaining a lot of popularity recently, especially as more people look for effective, non-toxic alternatives to traditional cleaners.
HOCl is a compound naturally produced by your white blood cells to fight off pathogens, making it a powerful disinfectant. I’ve seen it marketed for use in household cleaners, skincare, and, more recently, even pet care! In fact, Wondercide recently dropped a new “Rescue” line with dental care, skin care, and ear & eye care products featuring HOCl as the main ingredient.
One of the reasons HOCl has gained so much attention is because of how well it works. Research has shown that HOCl is significantly more effective than traditional bleach at killing microbes. On a molecular level, HOCl has a neutral charge, which allows it to penetrate the cell walls of bacteria, viruses, and fungi more easily. Because of this, studies suggest HOCl can be up to 80–200 times more effective than bleach when it comes to destroying pathogens. (1)
What makes this especially appealing for pet households is its safety profile. Unlike bleach, ammonia, or other harsh disinfectants, hypochlorous acid doesn’t produce toxic fumes, leave behind harmful residues, or require extensive rinsing. Once it’s done doing its job, it simply breaks down into saline (essentially salt water).
That means it’s safe to use on surfaces your pets regularly interact with, including floors, crates, furniture, toys, counters, litter boxes, and grooming tools.
Many conventional cleaners can irritate paws, skin, noses, and airways. HOCl offers a powerful alternative that disinfects thoroughly without putting your pets at risk. It’s tough on germs, yet gentle enough to be used around puppies, seniors, and pets with sensitivities.
As more pet parents look for cleaner, safer products for their homes, hypochlorous acid is quickly becoming a go-to option.
My Go-To HOCl Recommendations
If you’re interested in adding hypochlorous acid to your pet-safe cleaning routine, there are a few solid options on the market. Companies like The Hypochlorous Company and Briotech offer well-formulated HOCl products that are reliable, effective, and safe to use around pets. These are great choices if you’re looking for brands that specialize in hypochlorous acid and clearly label their formulations and intended uses. (Please note, I have not personally used these brands. However, these are brands I looked into using myself before I found this cheaper option below).
That said, I’d be lying if I didn’t share my favorite budget-friendly find. Dollar Tree carries an HOCl cleaning spray by the LA’s Totally Awesome brand for just $1.50. As someone who loves a good bargain, this one really impressed me. It offers the same pet-safe, non-toxic benefits of hypochlorous acid at a fraction of the cost of many other products on the market.
My Vizsla, Nova, stoically modeling behind the HOCl spray I get from Dollar Tree, LOL.
However, it does tend to sell out quickly. When in stock, I always recommend grabbing a few bottles at once so you’re not caught without it later. Hopefully, it’s a product Dollar Tree will continue to carry, because it’s an incredibly accessible way for pet households to take advantage of HOCl’s benefits without breaking the bank.
Whether you choose a specialty brand or score a great deal at Dollar Tree, hypochlorous acid is a fantastic option for keeping your home clean, disinfected, and safe for every member of your household, paws included.
References
- Overholt B, Reynolds K, Wheeler D. 1151. A Safer, More Effective Method for Cleaning and Disinfecting GI Endoscopic Procedure Rooms. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018 Nov 26;5(Suppl 1):S346. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofy210.984. PMCID: PMC6255518.