• Road-spectrum antimicrobial activity: Hypochlorous acid has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, meaning it can effectively kill or neutralize a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.
• Fast-acting: HOCl works quickly to eliminate pathogens. It can disrupt the cell walls of bacteria and the envelopes of viruses, leading to their inactivation or destruction.
• Low toxicity to humans and animals: While HOCl is a potent antimicrobial agent, it is generally less toxic to humans and animals compared to some other disinfectants. This makes it suitable for use in various applications, including in healthcare settings, without posing significant health risks.
• Non-corrosive: Hypochlorous acid is non-corrosive to most materials, which makes it suitable for use on a variety of surfaces without causing damage. This property is particularly important in applications such as disinfecting medical equipment, surfaces in healthcare facilities, and other sensitive environments.
• No harmful byproducts: When hypochlorous acid reacts with microorganisms, it typically breaks down into non-toxic substances, reducing the risk of harmful byproducts. This is in contrast to some other disinfectants that may produce more persistent or potentially harmful residues.
• pH-dependent effectiveness: The antimicrobial activity of HOCl is pH-dependent. It is most effective at a slightly acidic pH. In the human body, for example, where it is naturally produced by white blood cells, the pH is within a range that optimizes the antimicrobial properties of HOCl.

Due to these characteristics, hypochlorous acid is widely used as a disinfectant in various settings, including healthcare facilities, food processing, water treatment, and general surface cleaning. It has gained attention for its effectiveness, safety profile, and environmental compatibility.