ionator HOM™ by Activeion

The Ionator HOM by Activeion is an alternative to traditional household cleaners that use synthetic detergents, surfactants and other potentially harmful ingredients to remove soils. Rather than using conventional chemistry, it uses electrically activated - or electrolyzed - tap water to lift dirt, dust, grease, grime, and germs from surfaces for easy removal (see video for how it works). The device gives water molecules a temporary charge (30-45 seconds) that causes dirt to bond to them and be lifted from the surface. It utilizes technology that has already been successfully used in cleaning commercial buildings, and which has a proven track record in other industries such as in cleaning food processing plants.

 

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To use it, you fill the bottom 12 oz. container from any tap water faucet, and then depress the powered trigger to release the activated water spray. The spray is continuous for the duration the trigger is depressed. By default, the sprayer has a wide coverage area, and you cannot adjust the stream or spray pattern, although this is not a major drawback. The Ionator HOM is heavier than most comparable bottles of household cleaner but is not bulky or uncomfortable.

The unit takes approximately three hours to charge and one charge lasts for approximately three 8-hour days or 24 hours of continual use. By conservative estimates, the battery will last five years and the company says it will likely not require replacing during the product's lifetime. According to the manufacturer, if the battery does fail it will be replaced while the unit is still under warranty and possibly after that point. Economically, it would be more inexpensive to purchase a new unit than to purchase a new battery.

We tested the Ionator HOM's effectiveness in various home applications in comparison to a traditional, all-purpose, green cleaning product that uses plant-based surfactants to remove soils. In our comparison of the two cleaning products, the Ionator HOM generally worked equally as well or slightly better than the green chemical cleaner. While not as effective on tough residues as harsh heavy-duty conventional chemical cleaners, it worked particularly well on water spots on the mirror and on oily messes on kitchen countertops. One of the advantages of using an Activeion product is that it leaves no apparent chemical residue behind and can be used on practically any water-safe surface. It is also gentle enough to use on hands for sanitizing, being proven effective by an independent EPA-certified laboratory at killing some viruses (such as the H1N1 virus) and 99.9% of bacteria.

Also, since plain water does not trigger sensitivities, asthma or allergies the way chemicals do, Ionator HOM by Activeion may be an especially useful alternative for people with sensitivities or allergies to fragrances and chemicals, or those with respiratory conditions. There is a faint smell when using the product, which Activeion has identified as Petrichor, a substance the company says naturally permeates the air after a rainstorm.

The Activeion system can apparently be used safely by just about anyone (children included). However, the initial drawback of the Ionator HOM is its price. At $169, it is relatively expensive, even though it is currently the lowest cost unit of all of the Activeion products.

Naturally, it’s hard to put a price on your health, and a virtually chemical-free approach to cleaning your home may pay dividends far beyond what a simple price tag could predict. Also, provided it is as durable as the manufacturer predicts (5 years), it may save you cash in the long term that would otherwise be spent on repeated purchasing of household cleaners. 

In short, we believe this product is a viable alternative to traditional household cleaners that use and leave behind chemicals. Its inherent safety and gentle cleaning and sanitizing properties allow it to be used almost everywhere. That may well end up making it an extraordinary bargain.

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