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FAQs

The basics

Toucan Eco lets you make your own multi-surface disinfectant cleaner from just water, salt and electricity that kills more than 99.999% of germs. It’s safe and environmentally-friendly, and replaces 80% of chemical cleaners and the single use plastic bottles they are supplied in.

All you need is a Toucan Eco device, and the consumables of water, salt and electricity. That’s it.

Yes, it does. It’s a proven and effective disinfectant and cleaning solution with a very high kill rate of more than 99.999%, fast contact time and minimal regrowth. The solution is also a mild surfactant, providing clean, smear-free surfaces.

Yes. The Toucan Eco solution has been extensively tested under EN standards by independent accredited laboratories for its efficacy to kill more than 99.99% (log-4) of viruses and has passed suspension test EN 14476, surface test EN 16777 and hand sanitisation test EN14476:2013+A2:2019. These tests demonstrate a high efficacy at low concentrations with fast contact times against viruses, including coronavirus which causes Covid-19.

It’s powerful stuff and tests have proven the activated solution  as or  more effective than commercial disinfectants that contain lots of harsh chemicals.

It’s revolutionary in the way that it’s truly eco-friendly – and not a small step towards reducing the amount of toxic chemicals through concentrates, tablet form or alternative ingredients which can still be harmful.

And it’s completely safe as it’s based on the same infection fighting substances used in your immune system – that makes it non-toxic and hypoallergenic.

Because, it kills germs, cleans well, smells natural, and is eco-friendly and safe too. You can’t say that about many other chemical cleaners!

But for more information, here’s five reasons why you should. Firstly, it reduces your chemical and plastic use. Secondly, as it’s safe it looks after the cleaner who’s cleaning after you. And it’s also powerful stuff, killing more than 99.99% of germs. Then there’s the fact that it will save you money. And finally, it’s certified for performance to EN 14476, EN 16777, EN 1276 and EN 13697.

The solution created by Toucan Eco is an effective disinfectant and a mild cleaner, so replaces general disinfectant, all-purpose cleaners, kitchen and bathroom cleaners, glass and metal cleaners, and deodorisers. It doesn’t replace strong degreasers and descalers, although it is effective if used on a daily basis.

Yes. it does. In fact, tests prove that the antibacterial properties is as or more effective than synthetic chemicals, while the cleaning agent is gentler.

It’s a combination of the world needing an effective disinfectant that kills viruses, including coronavirus, while also reducing the the huge amounts of waste plastic bottles and packaging in our oceans and landfill, plus the news that the long-term use of cleaning chemicals can have a serious impact on your health. This now means we need to think differently about how we can reduce our impact on the planet.

And Toucan Eco is a new, greener way to clean workplaces that helps one chemical cleaner and plastic bottle at a time.

Absolutely. It reduces your chemical spend by over 80% and once the device has been paid for the cost of producing the solution is minimal. For example, a 10kg bag of salt costs around A$20 and makes 10,000 litres of solution.

Read our ROI blog for more information about this.

The activated solution is certified to EN 1276, EN 13697, EN 14476 and EN 16777 for  chemical disinfectants against bacteria and viruses. It is also safe for use in food preparation and high-risk areas. In addition, certification under EN13727 (ESBL) and the VAH scheme (medical grade biocides) demonstrate efficacy in risk areas. Toucan Eco is listed under Article 95 of the EU Biocides regulations.

It’s based on a science that’s been around since 1834. That’s when Michael Faraday published his findings on the principles of electrolysis observing that an electric current passed through a substance produced chemical changes.

Cut to the 1970’s and a Russian scientist called Professor Vitold Bakhir added salt to this process to create a brand-new solution, one that was found to have powerful disinfectant properties. The original concept was to develop a technology that could combat the effects of biological warfare by generating safe and effective biocides, quickly and easily on-site for use on humans, animals, equipment, crops and water supplies.

This technology is trusted by a huge range of industries around the world.

It protects the marine environment, disinfects drinking water, combats Legionella, and is used to safely disinfect and clean in everything from fish processing to carpet cleaning, salad packing to flower cultivation and dairy farming.

Hypochlorous is even used to treat wounds, burns and infections in humans and pets – it’s approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for this.

And it’s also being used as part of Project India to help make the world’s polluted water safe to drink in third world countries and areas of humanitarian disaster.

With developments in technology, smaller devices can now make the solution on demand and onsite. In the UK, more and more companies are now proving you don’t have to use toxic, environmentally-damaging and expensive synthetic chemicals to disinfect and clean workplaces while saving single-use plastic bottles at the same time.

We picked Toucan Eco as we felt, like the brand, that toucans are associated with the natural world – as is hypochlorous acid that’s made from water, salt and electrolysis, but also made by your body’s immune system. 

A less important point, but we also thought the useful atomiser spray bottle you receive with the Toucan Eco III looks a little bit like a toucan!.

The science

It’s called electrochemical activation (or ECA for short), which is a form of electrolysis. It’s the process of passing an electrical current using a specialised cell through a solution of water (H20) mixed with a small amount of salt (NaCL) – 1g of salt per litre of water in fact. The electrochemical activation breaks the compounds apart into their basic elements.

The reaction oxidises at the positively charged electrode (the anode) and reduces at the negatively charged electrode (the cathode). This makes the 100ppm of free available chlorine (FAC) solution with changed chemical properties; a powerful but safe disinfectant and cleaning solution. That’s the ready to use solution as some of the models make a much higher concentration which is then diluted dispensed to 100ppm.

At the positive anode, the hydrogen and oxygen in the water reacts with the chlorine in the salt to produce the main, active substance called hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is a powerful but safe disinfectant. This solution naturally wants to revert back to its original state by oxidising, for example, other organic matter. That’s part of its effectiveness.

At the negatively charged cathode the sodium and chlorine in the salt combines with the  oxygen in the water to produce a mild form of sodium hypochlorite. This is a gentle cleaning agent. 

During  electrolysis, at the positive anode the chlorine (Cl) in the salt (NaCl) combines with the hydrogen  (H) and oxygen (O) in the water (H2O) and creates hypochlorous acid (HOCl),  which is a powerful but safe disinfectant.

While at the negative cathode the sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in the salt (NACl) combines with oxygen (O) and chlorine (Cl) to produce sodium  hypochlorite (NaOCl), which is a very low concentration of bleach. This, and  the gentle alkaline pH of between 7.8 and 8.5, gives the solution its cleaning  properties.

There  are no by-products during this activation.

The percentage split of hypochlorous and sodium hypochlorite is dependent on the pH of the water. Toucan Eco makes an optimum disinfecting and cleaning solution at around pH 8, and at this level about 20% of this is hypochlorous and 80% sodium hypochlorite. This is proven to kill more than 99.99% of microorganisms, while also providing good cleaning results. 

Higher concentrations of hypochlorous can be achieved by lowering the pH of the solution so it’s more acidic to around 5.5, but that means the proportion of sodium hypochlorite decreases, along with solution’s cleaning properties too. And to improve the cleaning properties of the solution, the pH can be increased so the solution is more alkaline, but that reduces the disinfecting properties of the solution.

We think we’ve got this just about right but you can increase the percentage of hypochlorous by adding vinegar, which is acidic. The ratio of salt to vinegar is 9:1 to achieve a pH of between 5 to 6.5.

Or you can increase the cleaning properties of the solution by adding potassium carbonate at a ratio to salt of 1:1, changing the pH to around 10 to 12, but poor disinfecting and deodorising properties.

The solution is designed to remain effective for between 2 weeks to 30 days, after which point (due to warm temp & unsealed) it reverts back to slightly salty water that can either be poured away or reactivated. Our advice is to keep it sealed & refrigerated OR make as much as you need for the cleaning job at hand and, as it’s virtually free to make, there’s no point in storing it for days. You simply make it on demand.

It is an oxidising solution and so takes electrons from cell structures and opens the cell to invasion by hypochlorous, which then destroys the internal structures of the cell, so killing it. It’s measured by ORP (or oxygen reduction potential) if you would like to find out more. Other reactions relate to ionic exchanges, which improves the effectiveness of the solution.

The performance of disinfectant is normally measured by its concentration – parts per million (ppm) of the active substance – in this case FAC (or free available chlorine). Many microorganisms can be destroyed with a concentration of around 20ppm of FAC, while tap water contains between 0.2 to 2ppm. 

Toucan Eco makes ready to use concentration of 100ppm FAC, which has a very high efficacy in eliminating microorganisms and represents the optimum level for disinfecting and cleaning. 

This is the equivalent of 0.01% concentration, meaning 99.99% of the solution is water. Compare this to household bleach, which has a concentration of around 50,000ppm or 5% – that’s 500 times more concentrated than Toucan Eco, but no more effective.

While the activation of the disinfectant is taking place, the sodium and chlorine in the salt is combining with the oxygen in the water to create sodium hypochlorite (NaClO); a very mild concentration of bleach. When combined with a gentle pH level of between 7.8 and 8.5, this compound gives the solution its cleaning properties.

Hypochlorous is the most effective disinfectant in the chlorine family available. It’s highly reactive with any microorganism that it can oxidise, and damages the cell membrane, quickly penetrating the cell. 

This results in an osmotic overload (put simply, a chemical imbalance of a cell) which means the cell cannot keep its structure, becomes vulnerable to attack and the hypochlorous reacts with cell proteins and nucleic acid. That’s why it’s so effective against the likes of coronavirus, norovirus, E. coli, MRSA and Listeria. 

As the process works on a molecular level this means that microorganisms are unable to build up resistance, something which can occur with chemical disinfectants. 

It also has a residual effect, and keeps on working if left on surfaces longer, although the speed of kill is proven to take seconds. 

The pH (a measure of acidity and alkalinity) of the solution is around 7.8 to 8.5, depending on the pH of the water to start with – the pH will move up about one point on activation. This means it’s mildly alkaline but not aggressive like common bleach which has a pH of 10 and above.

99.99% of the solution is water.  This shows how incredibly effective yet safe the solution must be to kill more than 99.99% of germs while also cleaning and deodorising!

Independent tests prove that the solution kills on contact. That’s not the case with synthetic chemicals which can take 5, 10 or 15 minutes before wiping off. Please note, on cleaning task cards we show that the contact time – how long you wait between spraying the solution onto a surface and wiping off – is a minute. That’s because it’s the minimal test period for EN accredited laboratories.

And, how quickly do any surviving microorganisms recover and start to multiply after the solution has been applied? In trials, after 24 hours there wasn’t any evidence of regrowth.

Yes, Toucan has been extensively tested by Professor Darren Reynolds, Head of Department of Biological Biomedical and Analytical Sciences at the University of the West of England. It’s also been tested by certified laboratories to EN 14476, EN 16777, EN 1276 and EN 13697,  and is proven to be an effective way to disinfect and clean surfaces. These tests prove it is more than 99.99% effective against the likes of coronavirus, E. coli, MRSA, poliovirus, listeria and norovirus.

“The solutions generated by the Toucan units have been proven to destroy microorganisms very quickly and comprehensively using only water and salt,” explained Professor Reynolds. 

“They are highly effective against bacteria, viruses, spores and fungi, providing protection to water, surfaces, fabrics, foodstuffs and people”.

When the body comes under attack from invading microbes and pathogens, the immune system responds by sending white blood cells called neutrophils straight to the infection. Once activated, these cells produce hypochlorous acid to eliminate infection. This is amongst the most potent and naturally occurring disinfectants.

Toucan Eco technology creates the same hypochlorous solution, but in a more concentrated form, and that’s why it’s safe and non-allergenic – and why cleaners like using it.

Sustainability & safety

Most definitely! The solution has minimal environmental impact and reduces the use of harmful chemicals and the single use plastic bottles they are supplied in. This means it helps businesses to reduce their carbon footprint.

So, no phthalates, ammonia, additives, even fragrances. And no plastic waste.

There’s no need for COSHH training or protective equipment, and it doesn’t harm the environment or air quality that cleaners, or customers, work in, live in, or visit.

Also, the solution is generated from natural and sustainable compounds of water and salt, and minimal amounts of electricity is required. There are no synthetical chemicals involved and no depletion of the earth’s resources. And the solution is non-toxic, and hypoallergenic.

The activation process, and the products it generates, are natural, safe to use and do not harm the environment. And there’s also the reduced energy, oil and carbon needed to make the solution compared with synthetic chemicals.

Once used, the solution reverts back to slightly salty water, and can be safely disposed of without any environmental impact. 

Download the Toucan Eco safety data sheet (PDF, 43 KB).

Yes, they are. The active substances are generated at very low levels of concentration and with a mild pH of around 7.8 to 8.5. This combination of low concentration and non-aggressive pH levels makes the solution safe – it’s non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-allergenic. 

After use, the solution reverts back to slightly salty water leaving no hazardous footprint.

Toucan Eco is safe and you don’t need protective clothing unless handling other toxic chemicals.

No. There aren’t any H&S issues relating to fitting and using the Toucan Eco systems, including any chemical risks as the solution is non-toxic, non-hazardous and hypoallergenic.

During the activation the devices do not generate any hazardous gases, and as the models are low voltage and low current DC supply, there isn’t any electrical hazards.

No, it doesn’t create superbugs and is perfectly safe to use.

Yes, it does. You no longer need to buy 80% or more of chemical cleaners, which are often supplied in single use plastic bottles. Plus, concentrated chemicals are mostly made from virgin plastic too, and many of these bottles can’t be recycled as they contain toxic ingredients. With Toucan Eco, please use the same, reusable bottle or bucket – it’s best that way. 

Well, water and salt are chemicals, but in the sense that the solution is free of synthetic, harsh or toxic chemicals then yes.

It’s well known that chemicals can be harmful to the environment. For example, some aerosols damage the ozone layer and cleaning chemicals carry health warnings such as flammable, toxic, don’t breathe in, drink or touch. They can also cause allergic reactions such as coughing and skin irritation.

Recent studies have found that regular exposure to cleaning products may significantly affect lung function, and suggest that the chemicals in cleaning products irritate the mucous membranes that line the airways of the lungs, causing long-term damage. The effects were also found to be more severe among women than men. More information can be found   here. 

Yes, and yes, both are becoming more important as the health risks of chemical cleaners are understood.

Many people say yes, but it does carry a faint whiff of spas or swimming pools – a clean chlorine smell from the hypochlorous, which is made by your body’s immune system – but it’s certainly not fragranced.

No don’t drink it and that’s not recommended, but it is relatively harmless compared to commercial cleaners.

No, it’s never been tested on animals, but don’t pour it into fish tanks (we have been asked before) as it draws the oxygen from the water.

Yes, it doesn’t contain any animal products.

Yes, it’s safe to pour down drains and reverts to slightly salty water. Or you can pour it into the device and reactivate. 

Yes. The products qualify for WEEE disposal.

Using your device

All you need is the correct size Toucan Eco device to suit your cleaning requirements, water, salt and electricity.  That’s it.

Toucan Eco eSpray and Worktop are portable and you can take wherever you clean.

The commercial units are fitted onsite, often in cleaning rooms, and will need to be close to a water and electrical supply. We’d also recommend fitting the device about 800mm above floor level (easier to fill buckets that way). And, depending on the size of your site, the device or devices should be placed in convenient locations to help cleaning.

The systems are easy to install and operate. You will need access to a 15mm cold mains water supply, 100W and a 220V power socket with a regular 13A plug socket.    For the Active Plus and Flow models a water pressure of 4 bars is required. The install guides are available here:

Toucan Eco Active (PDF, 349 KB). 
Toucan Eco Active Plus (PDF, 617 KB).
Toucan Eco Flow (coming soon).

The measurements are shown in width by depth by height and for the wall area needed for the larger devices.

Toucan Eco eSpray: 85mm×85mm×280mm.
Toucan Eco Worktop: 100mm x 100mm x320mm.
Toucan Eco Active: 700mm x 300mm x 800mm.
Toucan Eco Active Plus: 800mm x 300mm x 800mm.

In the case of Toucan Eco eSpray and Worktop, it takes five minutes.   Fill the bottle or  jug with tap water up to the mark, add table salt using the spoon provided and shake or stir, for the Worktop, until dissolved. Press the button light to activate, which takes five minutes and when ready the unit switches itself off. The solution is ready to use.  

For Toucan Eco Active, it’s 15 minutes to make 10 litres, with a 100 PPM concentration.  Use the mains supply to fill the 10-litre tank and add one pump of the brine solution – this makes the correct amount of salt to water concentration. Press the activation touch button once to start, which takes 15 minutes. Press the activation touch twice to make twice the concentration strength.

 Toucan Eco Active Plus model works much in the same way as the above except the 10-litre tank is replaced with a 5-litre tank, and the model takes 40 minutes to make a 4x strength solution, which is then diluted to 100ppm using either of the bottle or hose dilution dispensers, so making 20 litres at a time.

For Toucan Eco Flow, it takes an hour to make 350 litres after which point the Flow makes the solution automatically when it reaches 50% capacity so it’s on tap and ready to be dispensed into spray bottles or buckets.

The operation guides are available below:

Toucan Eco Worktop (PDF, 74 KB).
Toucan Eco Active (PDF, 349 KB).
Toucan Eco Active Plus (coming soon).
Toucan Eco Flow (coming soon).

Always use the recommended amount of salt to generate the solution and, if using Toucan Eco eSpray or Worktop, make sure it’s fully dissolved by stirring the solution seven or eight times.

Filling  the containers with water, adding the salt and starting the activation takes  around a minute.

Then  it’s five minutes for Toucan Eco eSpray and Worktop, 15 minutes for the Active, 40 minutes for  Active Plus and an hour for the Flow, after which point the Flow makes the solution  automatically, once the level in the 10ltr holding tank has decreased by half. 

All  models will automatically switch off when finished, while the Flow goes to sleep  mode until it reactivates automatically at 50% capacity.

Always use the recommended amount of salt to generate the solution and, if using Toucan Eco III, make sure it’s fully dissolved by stirring the solution seven or eight times.

The only consumable other than tap water and low voltage electricity is salt. Toucan Eco III uses 2g of table salt per litre and 1g per litre for the larger models. To give you an idea about the ongoing costs, 10kg of salt costing around £10 would make 10,000 litres of solution.

Not specifically, but it is never a good idea to mix solutions without understanding the potential reactions. Please just use the solution undiluted by instelf.

If activating the solution more than once to increase the efficacy, the model may not activate straight away (depending on which model is used). If so, wait for five minutes before repeat activation. 

Choose any of the models according to the size of your site and the amount of solution you need. To compare the range please see the comparison table on the bottom of the Range page.

No. Chlorine is added to drinking water to disinfect water supplies and this will slightly increase the concentration of FAC when used with the Toucan Eco devices, but by itself it’s not strong enough to kill microorganisms. That’s why Toucan Eco uses small quantities of salt to add chlorine and sodium to the reaction, generating a solution that’s strong enough to kill up more than 99.99% of germs.

No. Water hardness is an expression of the calcium content of water – the more calcium in the water, the harder it is and the more limescale is built up. However, the Toucan units reverse polarity at each activation, so no limescale builds up on the cells. This makes it maintenance-free and no descaling is necessary. 

Even if water quality fell outside these boundaries, it would not materially impact on the performance of the solutions. 

Yes, in principle you could but we wouldn’t recommend it and it might damage your device, which will not be covered under the warranty.

Yes, if it’s drinking water without gas (uncarbonated) but it’s really not necessary, costs lots more and we’d really prefer you not to waste the plastic bottles they come in! 

It was Professor Darren Reynolds of the University of the West of England during his interview by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall on the BBC’s War of Plastic who said that the main difference between tap water and bottled water is the price and plastic waste. 

Yes, warm water can be used without any impact on performance but boiling water should be avoided as it may damage the devices.

Please use table salt for Toucan Eco Worktop and granulated or dishwasher salt tablets for Active and Flow models. Do not use sea or flavoured salt   as it is more expensive and may affect the chemistry.

You can take periodical checks to make sure the activation system is working using the three tests of ‘bubbles, smell and chlorine’ as follows:

  1. Check the solution bubbles when the system is activated. This indicates that the chemical reaction is taking place.
  2. Smell the solution – once activated, it should have a faint ‘swimming pool’ scent of chlorine.
  3. Chlorine test strips are available which measures the presence of chlorine ppm in the activated solution, but please make sure the range includes 100 to 200ppm   like this one.

Once made, the solution remains active for around five to seven days depending before reverting back to salty water. This is because the active ingredients dissipate over time as it naturally wants to revert back to its initial state – of just water and salt. But we recommend you make it on demand, and enough to get the cleaning job done.

If there’s any doubt about how old the solution is, it can be reactivated simply by pressing the activation button. Or pour it away and it’ll revert back to harmless, slightly salty water, and then make some more.

Residual from a previous activation will increase the levels of salt slightly, but this isn’t significant – all that will occur is that a slightly stronger solution is generated.

Don’t worry, that’s a really easy question to answer – simply activate the system and make some more. 

During the electrochemical activation a mild smell of chlorine is sometimes detected. This is from the small amounts of chlorine contained in hypochlorous (HOCl) and hypochlorite ion (OCl-), which is a similar smell to a swimming pool or spa, but at much lower levels.

No, an extractor fan would only remove the mild and infrequent smell of chlorine – it is not a H&S requirement – and any normally vented room is completely safe. 

There is little cleaning or maintenance required for the equipment. 

With the Toucan Eco eSpray and Worktop just make sure the terminals are dry after use to prevent corrosion, and wipe the inside of the bottle or jug  occasionally with a damp cloth.   They shouldn’t be put into a dishwasher.

Cleaning with the solution

Think of it as a multi-purpose disinfectant and cleaner suitable. Simply make, spray, wipe or mop. 

Download the helpful ‘How to clean with Toucan Eco’ guide here (PDF, 599 KB).

The solution will disinfect all hard surfaces and fabrics, kill more than 99.99% of germs. And with a gentle pH of between 7.8 and 8.5 it’s a non-aggressive cleaner too, leaving a smear-free finish on glossy surfaces without any chemical residue.

Use it anywhere. There’s no need for one cleaner for the bathroom and another for the kitchen – and use it liberally as it’s virtually free .

It’s ready to use – so don’t dilute it or mix it with chemicals as it’s made at the perfect concentration.

It’s great for daily cleaning, and can be used as part of a deep clean for disinfecting areas, but it’s not a heavy degreaser or descaler. No special equipment is needed – use whatever cloths, bottles and mops or scrubber dryers you normally use, again and again as we’re into reusing not wasting! But for best results use microfibre.

For wiping – spray the surface, even spray the cloth, then rub to remove all solution. 

For stains on fabric – spray and leave to soak before removing with a clean cloth or brush. Repeat until clean.

For mopping – it’s great for pre-soaked microfibre or spray mopping. And it’s fine to spray alongside a bucket of hot water if that’s what you’re used to.

For floor machines – just add the solution and scrub away.

It’s also great as a deodoriser – it’s not designed to mask smells as it’s pretty much fragrance free, but does kill the bacteria that causes the smell. And as it’s non-allergenic you can happily spray away.

A general cleaning tip is to always clean from the cleanest to dirtiest area and top to bottom. And always wash with clean tools.

To use, spray, wipe or mop any surface, including glass and fabrics as part of your normal cleaning practices. The solution is great for scrubber dryers, you can apply it as a mist for disinfecting large areas, and it also works as a deodoriser, leaving a faint spa fragrance. 

Once you’ve run out – or after five to seven days when the solution has reverted back to slightly salty water – you simply make more.

It replaces the majority of cleaning chemicals such as disinfectant, all-purpose cleaners and sanitisers, surface, glass, stainless steel, kitchen, bathroom, fabric and floor cleaners. Just bear in mind it’s not a strong degreaser or limescale remover, but it will help as part of a daily clean.

While the use of the Toucan Eco solution will inhibit limescale to a certain degree it’s not a limescale remover in hard water areas. This requires an aggressive acidic cleaner. Also, while it’s good to use as a daily maintenance cleaner, it’s not a heavy degreaser.

Toucan Eco eSpray combines the activation base with the mist spray bottle while the Worktop is supplied with a reusable mist spray bottle, but you can use your own bottle or bucket, just please use the same one again and again – we’re into reusing plastic right!

Yes, you can. Applying the solution in a mist form is an effective way to disinfect larger surface areas and spaces, while electrostatic sprayers helps to ensure that all surfaces within a space are disinfected.

The important point in any disinfection process is to ensure contact. No contact, no disinfection. And also that fogging and misting should be part of a two-stage cleaning and disinfecting regime, and will only be effective if surfaces are cleaned first.

Yes. Don’t dilute or add any other chemical as Toucan Eco generates the solution at a concentration that is ready to use – at around 100ppm (parts per million) of FAC (free available chlorine); that’s the active ingredients of hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite.

To be effective as a disinfectant and cleaner, it’s not the volume of solution that is important, it’s the contact between the solution and the surface that’s critical. And, as the solution is virtually free to make, you can use it liberally.

That’s why the Toucan Eco III comes with an atomiser bottle, which sprays a fine mist – an effective way to make sure a surface comes in contact with the solution. And, also why we recommend using microfibre cloths too.

You don’t need to change your current practices or use specialist equipment. So, you can carry on using the same mop and bucket to apply the solution to the floor, the same spray bottle to spray the solution onto glass, stainless steel, tiles and mirrors. 

What it does affect is the number of bottles cleaners need to carry around with them and the amount of storage space needed as you make on demand. 

The activated properties last for around five to seven days, however it will degrade back to slightly salty water quicker when in contact with organic matter or left in direct sunlight. 

You can use chlorine strips like   these   to test the ppm of the solution, but if you’re ever unsure we’d prefer you to simply make some more – it’s pretty much free anyway. 

But, this is an important point and one of the main differences that sets it apart from traditional chemical cleaning. It’s the mindset of making enough to get the cleaning job done rather than storing for future use, because there’s no point in storing something that’s virtually free to make and hasn’t any environmental impact.

Contact with organic material – which is what the solution is for – or leaving it in direct sunlight will reduce its shelf-life. 

It can be used on multiple surfaces. This includes glass, windows, mirrors, chrome, stainless steel, tiles, grout, plastic, ceramics (sinks and toilets), wood and laminate, all floor surfaces, and fabrics such as carpets, curtains, chairs, mattresses and so on.

Just be careful about using on untreated wood as it’s likely, as water is, to leave a water mark or open up the natural wood pores.

As with any liquid, take care with untreated surfaces such as wood as it may leave a water mark. If in doubt test on a small area first. But this is just a simple solution without harsh chemicals and it is meant for multiple surfaces.

The solution oxidises organic matter so corrosion can occur if metal surfaces are left wet for periods of time. It is recommended to spray surfaces with the solution to clean and disinfect, then wipe dry with a microfibre cloth.

No, but it an oxidising solution so if it’s left, let’s say, in a puddle on a ferrous metal surface then it could cause some corrosion, just the same as water let alone an acidic or alkaline chemical cleaner. So, no special precautions are needed and the very small salt content really doesn’t make a difference in this regard.

Yes, but it shouldn’t be used on untreated wood in case it leaves water marks.

Toucan Eco is an excellent disinfectant, but also a mild cleaner too and is suited to all surfaces, including textiles, but you may need to apply extra elbow grease or use something more abrasive, especially for heavy fats and descaling, although we have had amazing results if the solution is left to soak for a while. 

Yes, and that’s a great way to disinfect spaces and objects without the need to spray and wipe every surface. The solution dries naturally onto the surfaces and is safe and hypoallergenic so fog and mist away!

Yes. The solution neutralises odours by killing the bacteria which is the main cause of odours. It leaves a faint, fresh and natural smell instead of artificial fragrances.

The solution has a slight odour of chlorine, like a mild swimming pool smell. Most people associate this with cleanliness. When sprayed, it just smells fresh and clean, and not like an unnatural fragrance or perfume.

It’s really not needed and against the idea of a greener way to clean with just natural, eco-friendly and safe ingredients. We would much prefer to keep it that way. And many people have commented that is leaves a natural, fresh smell behind.

Yes, and it’s ideal for non-chemical use in floor machines.

No. Unlike conventional chemical cleaners it doesn’t contain a complicated mix of substances – it is only water and salt after all. For best results dry the surface with a microfibre cloth. 

Yes. Cleaning, sterilising and removing pesticides on fruit and vegetables is easy with Toucan Eco. Either spray and wipe or place in a bowl of the solution. This helps to remove dirt, pesticides and kills the germs on the food’s surface. Then rinse with cold water before eating or storing the food. If you are storing the food should last a little longer too.