In a world of tightening budgets and growing sustainability targets, the phrase chemical free cleaning has become increasingly appealing. But there’s still a lot of confusion about what it really means—and whether it stands up to the demands of professional cleaning teams in busy environments like schools, shopping centres, healthcare settings and offices.
So let’s break it down:
- What does chemical free cleaning actually involve?
- How does it perform against traditional cleaning chemicals?
- And where does a system like Ozoklenz fit into the picture?
What Is Chemical Free Cleaning, and What Isn’t It?
First, a bit of myth-busting. The term “chemical free” can be misleading—everything is made of chemicals, including water. In the cleaning world, though, it usually refers to solutions that don’t rely on manufactured chemical detergents, disinfectants, or harsh additives.
Instead, systems like Ozoklenz generate a cleaning solution call “aqueous ozone” on demand. The production process involves several steps:
- Air passes through a drying chamber: Air is first dried to remove moisture, ensuring the purity of the ozone production process.
- High-voltage energy splits oxygen molecules (O2) into individual oxygen atoms.
- These oxygen atoms then combine to form ozone molecules (O3), which are highly reactive.
- The Ozoklenz unit then injects the ozone gas into water, creating aqueous ozone, a solution ready for cleaning.
That means:
- No bottled cleaning chemicals
- No storage of hazardous substances on-site
- No COSHH training or PPE required for daily use
So when we say “chemical free”, we’re talking about a shift away from traditional chemicals—not the total absence of chemistry altogether.
How Effective Is It Compared to Traditional Cleaners?
Let’s get straight to the point: yes, chemical free cleaning works when you’re using the right system, in the right way.
Aqueous ozone (the active ingredient used in Ozoklenz) has been widely researched and validated. It works by destroying bacteria and viruses on contact, and then safely reverting back to water and oxygen after use.
The Ozoklenz system has been independently lab-tested under controlled conditions to benchmark it against everyday chemical cleaners. The results?
- Rapid microbial kill rates
- Proven reduction in surface contamination
- No chemical residues left behind
👉 You can view our ATP test results here, showing side-by-side comparisons between before and after Ozoklenz was used on surfaces.
For facilities managers tasked with balancing performance, safety, and sustainability, this represents a clear step forward.
What Are the Benefits of Going Chemical Free?
Improved Health and Safety
With no chemical storage, mixing, or dilution required, the risk of misuse is removed entirely. It’s safe for cleaning teams, building occupants, and sensitive environments like schools and care homes.
No COSHH Training Required
Because there are no hazardous substances involved in daily use, Ozoklenz removes the need for COSHH assessments or PPE. It simplifies onboarding and minimises compliance headaches—especially useful for multi-site contracts or temporary staff.
Zero Plastic Waste
Switching to chemical free cleaning removes the need for plastic bottles, trigger sprays, and single-use packaging. Ozoklenz is generated on-site and used directly from refillable bottles or mop buckets.
Low-Carbon, On-Demand Supply
Unlike traditional chemicals which require manufacturing, packaging, transport, and delivery, aqueous ozone is created on-site in seconds. That’s a huge reduction in emissions across the supply chain.
No Residue, No Smell
Because there are no surfactants, fragrances or dyes, the result is a clean, neutral-smelling surface with no sticky or slippery residues—ideal for floorcare, desks, kitchens, and touchpoints.
Where Is Chemical Free Cleaning Best Suited?
Ozoklenz is already in use across a wide range of sectors, from education and leisure to retail and office buildings. It’s ideal for:
- Daily floor cleaning
- Washrooms and cubicles
- Desks and touchpoints
- Kitchenettes and food prep areas
- Glass, mirrors and stainless steel
It performs especially well in public-facing environments where safety, cleanliness, and low odour matter. Because it’s safe around children, pets, and food areas, it gives you flexibility across different cleaning zones without the need for multiple products.
Are There Any Limitations?
While aqueous ozone covers up to 90% of daily cleaning needs, there are still a few situations where targeted products may be required.
For occasional deep cleaning tasks (such as removing heavy limescale from urinals, descaling toilets, or degreasing ovens) teams may still use a targeted product. These situations call for a stronger formulation to remove built-up grime or scale.
What Ozoklenz does brilliantly is help prevent that build-up in the first place. Once a surface has been deep cleaned, aqueous ozone helps to maintain hygiene levels, extend time between heavy-duty cleans, and keep surfaces in better condition long term.
This makes Ozoklenz a smart, sustainable base for your everyday routine—supported by occasional use of specialist products where needed.
What About Costs?
One of the biggest surprises for many clients is that chemical free cleaning saves you money over time.
Once installed, the Ozoklenz system runs on cold water and electricity. You remove the need for ongoing chemical orders, plastic bottles, delivery costs, and COSHH training. Most clients recover the initial cost of our Eco 1 unit within 1-2 years through reduced consumables, simpler processes, and lower labour inputs.
For the Eco 2 unit and the EnozoPro Handheld device, the time to break even is even shorter, making them ideal for medium and smaller sites.
You can easily see how quickly your site could save by using our Ozoklenz Cost Saving Calculator. Just enter your current chemical spend, select your preferred unit(s) and payment method, and the tool will show you when you’ll start to see savings.
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It
Facilities teams who’ve made the switch often report:
- Faster cleaning turnaround
- Fewer issues with odours and residues
- Better feedback from front-of-house staff
- Greater confidence around compliance
Want to see proof? You can explore our case studies here , or request a free demo to test the system on your site.
Final Thoughts
Chemical free cleaning is no longer a pipe dream. With systems like Ozoklenz, it’s a practical, proven alternative to traditional cleaning chemicals, especially for organisations with sustainability goals, compliance responsibilities, or public-facing environments.
If you’re still relying on spray bottles and trigger packs, now’s the time to rethink your approach.