Good questions.
Clean answers.
Everything you might want to know about OxiTab — how the tablets work, our EPA registration, shelf life, storage, and the chemistry behind hypochlorous acid.
How OxiTab works in the real world.
The drop-it-in-the-water basics — dosing, dwell time, and what surfaces and tools the solution is built for.
What is OxiTab and how does it work?
OxiTab is an EPA-registered disinfecting tablet. Drop one tablet into one gallon of tap water and, in about sixty seconds, it dissolves into a ready-to-use disinfecting solution.
The active ingredient — sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) — generates hypochlorous acid (HOCl) when it contacts water. HOCl is the same germ-killing molecule your own immune cells produce, so it's powerful against pathogens and gentle on skin and surfaces at the labeled use concentration.
How do I use OxiTab in my salon, barbershop, or spa?
Three steps, no measuring:
- Drop one tablet into one gallon of cool tap water.
- Wait sixty seconds for full dissolution — you'll see the bubbles activate.
- Submerge tools or apply with a spray bottle or wipe to stations, capes, and high-touch surfaces.
Stored in a closed container, the mixed solution stays effective for up to two weeks.
What surfaces and tools is OxiTab safe to use on?
OxiTab is formulated to be non-corrosive at the labeled use concentration, which makes it appropriate for shears, combs, clippers, capes, vinyl, sealed countertops, mirrors, sinks, floors, and most hard non-porous surfaces. As with any disinfectant, spot-test on porous, painted, or specialty materials first.
Rinse and dry metal tools after disinfection as you normally would to maintain edge life.
How much area does one tablet cover?
One tablet makes one gallon (128 fl oz) of ready-to-use disinfecting solution. For spray applications, that's enough to refill a standard 32 oz spray bottle four times. For tool soaking, one gallon is enough to fill most professional jar or tray formats with extra to spare.
Do I need gloves to handle the OxiTab solution?
At the labeled use concentration, the OxiTab solution is non-hazardous and skin-safe for incidental contact. Many professionals work without gloves throughout the day.
If you have sensitive skin, prefer prolonged immersion, or are following an in-house safety policy, gloves are always a reasonable choice.
Does OxiTab have a smell?
Almost none. At the labeled use concentration, OxiTab gives off only a very faint chlorine note — far less than diluted bleach and well below the level that triggers complaints from clients or staff. There are no harsh fumes to ventilate.
The molecule doing the work.
What hypochlorous acid is, why it kills germs so well, and why it's gentler than bleach.
What is hypochlorous acid (HOCl)?
Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring oxidant — the same molecule that human white blood cells release to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and fungi as part of the immune response. It's been studied for over a century and is recognized by regulators worldwide as a fast-acting, broad-spectrum disinfectant.
OxiTab tablets generate fresh HOCl on demand when they dissolve in water, and the mixed solution stays effective for up to two weeks when kept in a closed container.
How does HOCl kill germs?
HOCl is small, uncharged, and highly oxidizing, so it crosses microbial cell walls easily and disrupts proteins, enzymes, and DNA. The mechanism is broad and physical rather than targeted, which is why pathogens have a very hard time developing resistance to it — unlike many quat-based or alcohol-based disinfectants.
How is OxiTab different from bleach?
Both rely on chlorine chemistry, but the working molecule and the user experience are very different:
- Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is a concentrated liquid, releases harsh fumes, is corrosive to metal and many surfaces, loses meaningful potency in about six months on the shelf, and the mixed working solution is typically discarded daily.
- OxiTab is a dry tablet with a 3–5 year sealed shelf life, a mixed solution that lasts up to two weeks in a closed container, no harsh fumes at the use concentration, non-corrosive on tools and most surfaces, and pre-measured so there's no mixing math or guesswork.
The clinical kill claims are comparable across major pathogen lists — the difference is in handling, safety, and inventory cost.
How is OxiTab different from quat-based disinfectants?
Quaternary ammonium compounds ("quats") are common in barber jars and salon wipes but have meaningful drawbacks: residue buildup on surfaces, increasing concerns about microbial resistance, soft-surface and skin sensitization for some users, and narrower pathogen coverage than HOCl-based systems.
OxiTab leaves no residue, has a much broader EPA list coverage, and uses an oxidative mechanism that pathogens can't easily adapt to.
Is HOCl the same thing as electrolyzed water?
Closely related but not identical. Electrolyzed-water HOCl systems generate the molecule on-site by running electricity through a salt-water brine. OxiTab generates the same HOCl molecule chemically — by dissolving an NaDCC tablet in water — without requiring a machine, an electrical source, or daily maintenance.
The end result on the surface is the same active oxidant; OxiTab just delivers it in a format that's faster to deploy, easier to inventory, and dramatically cheaper to scale.
Registered, listed, defensible.
The regulatory details inspectors and procurement teams ask about.
What is OxiTab's EPA registration number?
OxiTab is registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under EPA Reg. No. 71847-6 (sub-registration 71847-6-99958). The registration number appears on every label and box.
Which EPA pathogen lists is OxiTab on?
OxiTab appears on the following EPA pathogen lists:
- List N — SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
- List K — Clostridium difficile spores
- List Q — Emerging Viral Pathogens
- List L — Ebola virus
That breadth of coverage is rare among single-product disinfectants and is one of the main reasons facilities standardize on OxiTab for both routine and outbreak-response cleaning.
Is OxiTab safe around clients, kids, and pets?
At the labeled use concentration, the mixed OxiTab solution is non-hazardous, skin-safe for incidental contact, and produces no harsh fumes. Surfaces are safe to use as soon as they air-dry after the labeled dwell time.
Important: Tablets in their solid, undissolved form are concentrated and must be kept sealed in their original container and out of reach of children and pets. Always dissolve a tablet fully in water before any use.
What should I do if a tablet is swallowed or contacts eyes?
Always follow the first-aid instructions printed on the OxiTab label and outer carton. If a tablet or concentrated solution is swallowed, contacts eyes, or causes a reaction, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (U.S.) immediately, or seek medical attention. Have the label or EPA registration number (71847-6) on hand when you call.
Where can I find the SDS (Safety Data Sheet)?
The current OxiTab Safety Data Sheet is available on our Safety documentation page. State board inspectors, OSHA reviewers, and procurement teams can download the PDF directly or request a stamped copy from our support team.
Does OxiTab meet state cosmetology and barber board requirements?
Yes. Most state cosmetology and barber boards require an EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectant for tools and surfaces. OxiTab's EPA registration (71847-6) and label claims meet those requirements. Some states have additional dwell-time or recordkeeping rules, so always check your specific state board language — we're happy to help if you email us your state.
Years on the shelf. Hours in the jar.
How long sealed tablets last, how long the mixed solution stays active, and how to store both.
What is the shelf life of OxiTab tablets?
Sealed OxiTab tablets have a 3–5 year shelf life when stored properly in the original sealed packaging in a cool, dry place. NaDCC tablets are very stable in dry form, and the manufacture date and expiration are printed on every container.
For comparison, liquid bleach loses meaningful potency in roughly six months — so a single container of OxiTab can outlast six-to-ten cases of bleach on the shelf without degrading.
How long does the mixed OxiTab solution stay effective?
Stored in a closed container, the mixed OxiTab solution remains effective for up to two weeks — dramatically longer than the 24-hour window of mixed bleach. Free chlorine still drops slowly over time, so keep the lid on between uses and label the container with the mix date.
For best results, decant working portions into spray bottles or trays as needed and keep the parent jug closed.
How should I store OxiTab tablets?
Store sealed OxiTab tablets in their original container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep the lid tightly closed between uses.
Avoid storing tablets in humid environments like under-sink cabinets next to plumbing — moisture in the air can start to activate the tablets prematurely.
Important: Keep tablets out of reach of children and pets. Do not transfer tablets out of the original container — the label carries the EPA registration and first-aid information you need on hand.
What if my tablets are past the expiration date?
Expired tablets may not deliver the labeled disinfecting concentration and shouldn't be relied on for compliance. Dispose of them according to local regulations and reorder a fresh container.
Can I store the mixed solution in a spray bottle for later?
Yes — for up to two weeks if the bottle is kept tightly closed between uses. Use an opaque or dark-colored spray bottle and store it out of direct sunlight, since light accelerates the breakdown of free chlorine. Label the bottle with the mix date so staff know when to refresh.
Still have a question?
If you didn't see your question answered here, our support team is happy to help — most replies go out the same business day.