Frequently Asked Questions

From December 1 to March 31, CleanSmart Canada pauses or limits online orders during periods of extreme cold. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can freeze in transit when temperatures fall well below 0 °C. Once frozen, HOCl loses effectiveness and cannot be safely shipped or used.

Why we temporarily pause shipping:
• Extreme winter temperatures across Canada can cause HOCl to freeze during transport
• No Canadian parcel carriers offer temperature-controlled delivery, meaning we cannot guarantee products will reach you without freezing
• We want every customer to receive HOCl at full strength, stability, and safety
• When winter shipping is absolutely necessary, we use Signature Required delivery to prevent packages from being left outside in freezing temperatures

👉 During periods of severe cold, online ordering may be temporarily unavailable. We re-evaluate shipping availability as temperatures and transport conditions improve.

If you urgently need HOCl for your home, workplace, or organization, please contact us — our team will always work with you to find a safe solution.
👉 Contact Us Anytime

CleanSmart uses hypochlorous acid (HOCl) — a powerful, safe ingredient made from salt, water, and electricity. HOCl is tough on germs but gentle enough to use around babies, pets, food surfaces, and equipment. It kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi without leaving chemical residue. CleanSmart products are manufactured in Canada by CleanSmart and trusted for everyday cleaning and disinfecting.

👉 Explore our Kitchen & Bath Disinfectants to learn more.

All CleanSmart disinfectant products that carry a Drug Identification Number (DIN) issued by Health Canada are required to have both an expiry date and a batch number printed on each container. These markings confirm that the product will remain effective at killing microbes for its labeled shelf life.

For our non-DIN HOCl products (those not marketed as disinfectants or sanitizers), CleanSmart does not include an expiry date or batch number on the container. This is fully compliant with Canadian regulations for consumer chemical products. Each batch is produced under strict quality control, ensuring the solution remains safe and effective when used as directed.

Storage tip: Avoid extreme temperatures (freezing or very hot conditions) and store the product away from direct sunlight to maintain effectiveness.

👉 Explore our Kitchen & Bath Collection or our Other Hypochlorous Acid Collection.

CleanSmart offers several hypochlorous acid (HOCl) products that are regulated by Health Canada. These products have been awarded a one-year shelf life, based on independent laboratory testing that meets Health Canada’s stringent stability and efficacy standards for disinfectants.

The same laboratory tests were also applied to our non-regulated HOCl products, which are produced using the same concentration (ppm) as our regulated line. Results from third-party efficacy studies confirmed these products remain stable and effective for over two years when stored properly (away from heat and sunlight).

👉 See our full range of Hypochlorous Acid Products or Contact Us for more details.

Yes — CleanSmart’s hypochlorous acid (HOCl) formula is ideal for cleaning and refreshing your hands throughout the day. It’s alcohol-free, non-drying, and safe for even the most sensitive skin — including kids and seniors. While many hand sanitizers use alcohol, which can cause dryness, irritation, or stinging, CleanSmart’s HOCl hand spray is gentle, non-toxic, and effective at removing everyday germs. It’s perfect for the gym, the office, after shopping, or anytime you need to clean sticky hands on the go. Unlike harsh alcohol gels, HOCl leaves no residue or odor — just clean, fresh hands.

👉 Try our Hand Mister + Antimicrobial Hand Wash for fast, portable hand hygiene.
👉 For more options, see our Hand Hygiene Collection.

Just two simple ingredients — and nothing toxic. Each bottle of CleanSmart contains:
✅ 0.017% hypochlorous acid (HOCl) – the germ-fighting ingredient your body makes naturally.
✅ 99.983% purified water – nothing more.

That’s it. No alcohol, no bleach, no fragrance, no dyes, and no harsh chemicals. CleanSmart is safe for babies, pets, food-contact surfaces, and sensitive skin. It cleans and disinfects without leaving behind any chemical residue or fumes.

👉 For more details, visit our CleanSmart Difference page
👉 Explore our Kitchen & Bath Collection to see where HOCl works best.

Wet contact time refers to the amount of time a surface must remain visibly wet with the disinfectant in order for the product to effectively inactivate specific microorganisms. This is a common and important question, and the answer depends on what is being disinfected. There is no single universal wet contact time for any Health Canada–approved disinfectant. Contact times vary depending on the specific bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other microorganisms being targeted. This is true for all products with a DIN number—not just hypochlorous acid.

CleanSmart’s Surface Cleaner & Disinfectant is classified as a Broad Spectrum Disinfectant and carries a Health Canada DIN, meaning it has met the same regulatory efficacy requirements as other registered disinfecting products.

To support transparency, CleanSmart has compiled a comprehensive Efficacy Report that summarizes all third-party laboratory testing conducted in accordance with Health Canada standards for this specific DIN formulation. These tests confirm effectiveness across a range of pathogens at their respective validated contact times.

👉If you require specific contact time information for a particular application or microorganism, please contact us and our team will be happy to assist.

A contraindication refers to a situation or condition where a product may not be suitable for use, typically due to a known sensitivity, reaction, or specific health concern.

CleanSmart’s hypochlorous acid (HOCl) formulation is produced at 250 ppm with a pH between 6.5 and 7. This formulation is highly effective while remaining gentle on skin and suitable for frequent use.

To date, CleanSmart has not received reports of skin sensitivity or inhalation concerns associated with this formulation when used as directed. However, individual sensitivities can vary, particularly among people who are sensitive to odours or skin contact from conventional cleaning products.

For organizations with staff sensitivity considerations, CleanSmart recommends evaluating the product in real-world conditions. Providing a sample for trial use is often the simplest way to identify any potential contraindications within a specific environment or team.

👉Browse our School & Workplace Collection to see CleanSmart products designed for frequent use in occupied commercial environments.

HOCl is used in many places beyond your home. Hospitals use it for wound care, farms use it to clean tools and crops, and it’s even popular in the beauty industry as a gentle skin spray. Its germ-killing power and non-toxic formula make it useful across healthcare, agriculture, and personal care.

👉 Browse our Other Hypochlorous Acid Collection to see how HOCl goes beyond cleaning.

Yes—and here’s what beauty editors and dermatology sources are saying:
💪 Byrdie — A great option for sensitive, acne-prone skin and post-workout refresh; soothing without the sting or dryness.
👶 Cosmopolitan — Calls HOCl a gentle spritz that kills bacteria, fights acne, and calms redness, popular for active and sensitive routines.
🩺 Dermatology Times — Clinicians consider HOCl well-tolerated, helpful for acne and inflammatory skin conditions, and likely to become more integral in care.
📘 Everyday Health — Consumer guide explaining what HOCl is and how to use it safely in skincare.
🧼 Prevention — Dermatologists say HOCl is a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory that can soothe eczema/rosacea and support healing—without irritation.

👉 For hands and on-the-go use, try our Hand Mister + Antimicrobial Hand Wash.
👉 For more options, see our Hand Hygiene Collection.

Hypochlorous acid is backed by science and real-world use. It works by breaking down the cell walls of germs like bacteria and viruses, destroying them fast. HOCl is used in healthcare and food safety, and studies show it kills 99.9% of common germs. CleanSmart uses this same proven technology in every bottle.

👉 Check out our Surface Cleaner & Disinfectant – 4L — perfect for homes and workplaces.

No — don’t add anything. CleanSmart is made with pure, simple ingredients, and adding other substances will stop it from working. Don’t pour it into a different bottle, and always keep the cap on. We can only guarantee CleanSmart’s germ-killing power when it’s used as directed.

👉 For reuse, try our Empty Refillable Bottle, made just for CleanSmart.

No. CleanSmart is fragrance-free, dye-free, and alcohol-free. It contains no BZK, ammonia, or harsh fumes — so it’s safe to use around people with allergies or asthma, including kids and seniors.

👉 Learn more in our Toy & Nursery Collection.

Yes — CleanSmart is approved for use in neonatal hospital units, even on surfaces that touch a baby’s mouth. It’s perfect for cleaning pacifiers, high chairs, toys, and change tables — with no need to rinse. Just spray and let it air dry.

👉 Discover our Toy Disinfectant 2-Pack, perfect for little ones.

CleanSmart’s non-abrasive hypochlorous acid spray can be used on almost any surface — no rinsing needed. Common uses include:
✅ Kitchen countertops
✅ Highchairs and toys
✅ Pet bowls and litter boxes
✅ Floors, light switches, and door handles
✅ Car interiors, steering wheels, and gear
✅ Gym equipment and yoga mats
✅ Grocery carts and gas pump handles

👉 Explore our Kitchen & Bath Disinfectants for everyday cleaning.

CleanSmart is made for everywhere life happens — from kitchen counters to commercial gear. It’s:
✅ Kitchen safe – Use on cutting boards, fridges, and counters 
✅ Bathroom safe – Spray sinks, toilet seats, and tiles 
✅ Food-contact safe – No rinse needed on surfaces that touch food
✅ Office safe – Clean keyboards, phones, and shared desks
✅ Retail safe – Wipe carts, checkout counters, and touchscreens
✅ Appliance safe – Use inside microwaves, fridges, and blenders
✅ Automotive safe – Spray steering wheels, cup holders, and consoles
✅ Industrial and agriculture safe – HOCl is trusted across sectors
✅ Environmentally safe – Breaks down to saline with no harsh residue

👉 Learn more in our Other Hypochlorous Acid Collection.

To unlock the spray nozzle, look for the small button near the neck of the bottle, just under the curved part of the sprayer. Press that button — and the bottle will start spraying. No twisting or pulling needed.

👉 Need a replacement? Try our Trigger Sprayer accessories.

No — please don’t transfer CleanSmart to a different bottle. While our packaging may look simple, it’s specially designed to protect the stability of the hypochlorous acid. Switching containers or adding anything else can reduce the product’s germ-killing power. We can only guarantee full effectiveness when CleanSmart is used as directed and in its original packaging.

👉 Stick with our Empty Refillable Bottle for best results.

We ship Cleansmart products Canada-wide for most of the year. Due to extreme winter temperatures, winter shipping restrictions apply from December 1 to March 31. During this period, shipping may be limited to southern Ontario where conditions allow products to arrive unfrozen and fully effective.

From April 1 to November 30, we ship CleanSmart products nationwide — whether you're in Toronto, Vancouver, Halifax, or anywhere in between.

👉 For large orders or special arrangements, please use our Contact Us form.

All CleanSmart Canada orders ship from our distribution hub in Ontario, using trusted Canadian parcel carriers.

Because transportation is handled entirely by truck, orders shipping to western B.C., the Yukon, and other distant regions must travel a long distance before reaching their destination. This will always result in longer transit times compared with shipments within Ontario or nearby provinces.

It also means that trucks may pass through very cold regions during the winter, which can harm hypochlorous acid (HOCl) shipments—even if temperatures in your local area are relatively warm.

👉If you have questions about delivery timing or need help planning an order for your region, please contact us—we’re happy to help.

Yes. Free shipping is automatically included on all orders over $85 (before tax) and is applied at checkout — no code required.

👉 If you have questions about shipping costs or large orders, please contact us for assistance.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can lose effectiveness if it is exposed to sub-zero temperatures during transit. Because Canadian parcel carriers do not offer temperature-controlled delivery, we monitor weather conditions to help ensure shipments don’t travel through below-0 °C regions where freezing could affect product quality.

Our monitoring is focused on the broader shipping route—not just your local forecast—since parcels may pass through colder parts of Canada even when your area is above freezing.

👉 If you’re unsure whether conditions are safe for shipping to your region, please contact us and we’ll help you plan your order.

Yes — local pickup is available by appointment at our Oshawa, Ontario location.

CleanSmart Canada — Oshawa
555 Wentworth Street East, Unit 2
Oshawa, ON L1H 3V8
Canada

👉 Book a pickup through our Contact Us form.

Orders typically ship within 1–2 business days from our Ontario facility, excluding weekends and holidays.

👉 If you have questions about order processing times or need help coordinating a shipment, please contact us.

Delivery times vary by location, but most orders arrive within 2–7 business days once shipped.

👉 If you’d like help estimating delivery time for your location or have questions about transit, please contact us.

We’d love to hear from you! If you're interested in bulk orders, distributor pricing, or wholesale partnerships, we’re here to help.

📧 Email: hello@cleansmartcanada.com
📞 Phone: 905‑720‑0214
👉 Or use our Contact Us form for a quick response from our team.