As proper hygiene and sanitizing habits have come to the forefront amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, finding better ways to kill bacteria and viruses has quickly become a priority. One new product about to hit the market is Egret, a patented spray and delivery system that uses the power of electrolyzed water (EO) to eliminate bacteria and germs.
A team led by Jack Chen, founder of Egret Labs with more than 20 years of experience with EO industrial cleaning and sanitation, started developing and prototyping his concept for a natural, nontoxic alternative to cleaning products in 2018. The idea was to create an affordable yet effective multipurpose cleaning solution that was nontoxic and would not trigger allergies.
The Egret system works by turning regular tap water and table salt into a safe cleaning solution via an electrolysis process. The device creates a new solution of hypochlorous acid, which is considered a safe sterilizer, and less concentrated OH radicals, which is a common cleaning agent.
The team worked for two years to develop an optimal delivery system. The fully automatic sprayer releases a 0.02mm spray, which can reach long distances and hard-to-reach locations, with a press of the electric pump. The wireless device, which weighs 31.7 ounces, is portable and is expected to last up to three years with regular use.
The system was tested by third-party labs, including SGS, to determine its effectiveness in sterilizing and deodorizing, as well as in removing pesticides. Based on the independent testing, after 30 seconds of exposure with Egret, the bacteria and virus killing rate was more than 99.99 percent. After five minutes of use, the system completely removed all pesticides.
Along with its ability to kill germs, the system’s 100 percent natural technology will also benefit the environment, according to Egret Labs. Since the solution is safe for humans and animals, it can be used on any surface, potentially reducing the need for additional cleaning materials that come in plastic bottles.
Thanks to crowdfunding, production and manufacturing of the Egret began in February. The first orders are set to ship in May.
Interested in more innovations to better protect humans from germs, viruses and bacteria? Check out New Material Disinfects With UV Light and New Plastic Wrap Repels Bacteria.