Here comes the science bit science bit

Since its UK launch in 2010 Activeion's chemical-free cleaning technology has won several supporters and awards, but it is not without it critics some of whom question the validity of the science. Here, the Activeion team answers a list of commonly asked questions about the technology





The ionator is a handheld cleaning tool that is filled with half a litre of tap water, with no added chemicals. Using physics, rather then chemistry, the ionator activates the water with a small electrical charge so that the water sprayed from the nozzle when the trigger is operated is temporarily ionised. The electrically charged water causes grease and soil to lift away from the surface it adheres to, so that it can easily be wiped away. The sprayed ionised water has also been proved to destroy many pathogens by electroporation, which breaks down the walls of the cells of bacteria.




Q.How is ionised water different from cleaning with normal water?
A. It is different because the water sprayed from the ionator EXP is not 'just water'. The water is charged and converted into ionised water that attracts dirt like a magnet.




The result is cleaning power equal to or greater than general-purpose cleaners - without the hazardous chemicals. The ionator is EU-registered and the electrical charge level has been independently tested and certified to conform with EU safety standards.The low-self-discharge nickel metal
hydride (NiMh) battery pack holds its charge for weeks and is reliable and environmentally safe.




Q.Where is the water ionised?
A.The technology generates the ionised water on demand at the point of use, just prior to the water being sprayed when the trigger is pressed. The
water is not ionised in the reservoir. The reservoir is filled with ordinary tap water. When you squeeze the trigger, the pump pulls the water from the
reservoir up through a 'water cell'. The water cell ionises the water just prior to it being sprayed from the nozzle. It will remain in this ionised state for 30 - 45 seconds and then will revert to normal water. It is best to wipe the surface to be cleaned before 30 seconds expires to ensure optimum cleaning results.




Q.Why does the ionator not smell clean?
A. Chemical cleaners usually have scents added to mask or disguise the dirt or odour left after cleaning. People have come to recognise these scents as the smell of cleanness, when they are actually the smell of the cleaner. No
chemicals of any sort (other than tap water) are used in the ionator, so areas cleaned with it have no smell.




Q. Is the ionator safe?
A.Yes. The ionised water is safe for use around people and animals. The ionator EXP uses no chemicals of any kind.There is no risk from long-term exposure, breathing vapours or fumes, or chemical mist settling on your skin. Independent labs have conducted full toxicology tests for skin, eyes and ingestion - the testing shows that the Activeion technology is 100% non-irritating.




These tests were conducted in accordance with US EPA (Environment Protection Agency), FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and OECD standards.




Q.Are there any studies showing how this product performs against Norovirus, Staph bacteria and the common cold virus?
A.We have not tested the technology against Norovirus or the common cold virus. We have tested for bacteria and HINI.The testing we have conducted that has been reviewed by the EPA includes: E.Coli, E.Coli 0157:H7, Staph,
MRSA, Salmonella, Listeria, Pseudomonas and H1N1. All are killed within six seconds if the ionator is used as directed.




Q.What effect does the ionatorEXPTM have on mould?
Can the ionator kill mould?
A.The ionator does help remove mould from smooth surfaces, or other areas where the mould is not actually growing down into a surface. The technology has been used to remove mould from a carpet and a fibreglass
surface. While the ionatorEXP is effective at removing mould,we have not officially tested the ability to kill mould.