One night, while I was scrolling through social media, I came across a video where a woman was talking about her daily, but decidedly above-and-beyond, cleaning routine (the kind of satisfying, low-key content I can never seem to scroll past). In it, she mentioned that she cleans using a hypochlorous acid solution. I'd never heard of it and was super intrigued by her explanation.
After watching the video, I immediately looked it up, then ended up down a rabbit hole for the better part of an evening, learning about hypochlorous acid—a gentle yet powerful disinfectant. Since then, I've had it in mind to try it, but I kept forgetting and (clearly) hadn't made it a priority. When I recently learned that Dollar Tree was carrying it for $1.50 a bottle, I officially ran out of excuses.
Dollar Tree L.A.'s Totally Awesome All-Purpose Cleaner
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Price:$1.50 for one 20-ounce bottle
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Why I Love It:It tackles everything from kitchen messes to lingering odors without harsh fumes or extra rinsing, making everyday cleaning feel much simpler.
What Is Hypochlorous Acid, Exactly?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a well-established disinfectant used in healthcare and food safety settings for years. Touted as a holy grail disinfectant, it's incredibly effective at neutralizing bacteria and odors (enough to sanitize surgical equipment and food-processing surfaces), while also being gentle, non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe around kids and pets. It's a rare combination, for sure! I learned that it's also naturally produced by our immune cells to fight bacteria, which is one of the reasons it works so well.
Dollar Tree sells a multi-purpose cleaner containing pure hypochlorous acid by the popular, budget-friendly LA's Totally Awesome brand. It's a white bottle with a hard-to-miss orange label, and it contains just two ingredients: deionized water (highly purified water with the minerals removed) and hypochlorous acid. The label says to spray and air dry, which means no rinsing required—a detail I find genuinely appealing when I'm scrubbing my sink or cleaning out the fridge .
How I Plan To Use Dollar Tree's Hypochlorous Acid Cleaner
The fact that it's food safe and doesn't always require rinsing makes it a natural fit for the kitchen. Having one bottle that can handle a multitude of tasks without the harsh fumes and skin irritants is a huge selling point for me. The obvious first stops are my cutting boards , sinks, and countertops. But I'm equally intrigued by its odor-neutralizing abilities and am curious to see how it handles garbage cans, recycling bins, and the compost bin.
Beyond the kitchen, it could easily replace the countertop and bathtub spray I currently use. I've also heard people talk about using it on high-touch surfaces like light switches, taps, door handles, and, get this, spice jars !
I've also learned that it's safe on most fabrics—think pet beds, throw pillows, and upholstered furniture—with a light misting and no rinsing required, though a spot test first is always a good idea on anything dyed or delicate. And apparently, it's gentle enough to clean cell phones and jewelry too, which, if true, might make it the hardest-working $1.50 I've ever spent.
Most HOCl products are best stored away from direct sunlight and heat, as exposure to these conditions can break them down over time. A cabinet or pantry shelf works just fine. But once it's opened, plan to use it within a few months for best results. It's a tip worth remembering, even if it is inexpensive to replace.
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