Serenity and Fire with Krista

A Cleaner Clean: The Non-Toxic Disinfectant Changing the Wellness Industry

• Krista Guagenti

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When I first discovered Force of Nature, it wasn’t just about cleanliness—it was about consciousness.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why the products we use to “clean” might actually be doing more harm than good, and how one small switch completely shifted the way I approach wellness, both at home and in my business.

💚 We’ll cover:

  • The shocking truth about conventional cleaning products
  • The science behind Force of Nature’s non-toxic disinfectant
  • Why sustainability and performance can actually coexist
  • How to bring more conscious choices into your home and business

If you’re ready to live cleaner—literally—this one’s for you.

✨ Use code SERFIRE40 for 40% off your Force of Nature Starter Kit at forceofnatureclean.com.

💚 Follow Serenity and Fire wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help more people discover the show.

#SerenityAndFire #WellnessWithDepth #CleanLiving #HolisticWellness #BiohackingForWomen #ForceOfNature

SPEAKER_00:

Welcome to Serenity and Fire, the podcast where wellness meets grit. I'm your host, Krista Guidenti, founder of Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique. Join me as we dive into the intriguing world of biohacking, clean living, cutting-edge spa trends, and the hustle, grind, and grit of entrepreneurship. From my personal battles with weight management, infertility, and a 30-year journey to create and launch my dream business, to building a sanctuary for those who have been touched by cancer, I'm here to share real talk, inspire big dreams, and spark a passion for holistic living inside each and every one of you. So let's dive in. Welcome back to Serenity and Fire. Today we're diving into a cleaner clean. And here's what I mean by that. In every business I own, whether it's Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique or my Decalash business, there's one product that touches absolutely everything: the counters, the treatment rooms, the floors, the door handles, every tool, supply, or piece of equipment that we use, and even the air we breathe. And that product is called Force of Nature. This all-in-one multi-surface, multi-purpose cleaner, deodorizer, and disinfectant is not your average green cleaner. This is an EPA-registered disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs, everything from staph, MERSA, salmonella, and listeria to norovirus and even COVID, as well as the viruses that cause the flu and other respiratory illnesses, all without a single toxic chemical. In the spa world, this is a major and miraculous accomplishment because we were always forced to use things like bleach for general cleaning purposes and products like barbicide for cleaning our instruments and our tools. You know, that jar of toxic blue liquid that you would always see sitting on the counter of your barber or beauty shop. And believe it or not, most places actually still use these products. I guess old habits are hard to replace, but not for us. I started using Force of Nature over six years ago when I first opened my Decalash studio. And now the entire Decalash franchise system uses it as well. And we 100%, without question, use it for everything at Panacea 2. It wasn't even a question when I opened the spa, but it wasn't easy getting it approved for use by the state board six years ago because they had actually never even heard of it. But once I was able to prove that it's an EPA registered sanitizer and medical grade disinfectant, that is as effective as bleach. And oh, by the way, it also meets the EPA criteria for healthcare institutions when it comes to being bactericidal, fungicidal, virusidal, pseudomonacidal, and even COVID-idal, which I think is a word that I actually made up. But anyways, they finally jumped on board and approved it for use in my studio. And by the time I opened the spot, it wasn't even a question. It frustrated me at the time, though, but in hindsight, I get why they were being so skeptical and why they required me to prove out the efficacy of this product. And in the world of disinfectants and sanitizers, all of them are required to be registered with the EPA. This is important because the EPA ensures that a product that says it kills germs actually really does kill germs. Disinfectants are tested using standard protocols by approved labs and reviewed by the EPA for safety and efficacy. Suppliers, purity, concentration, and processing of all individual ingredients are also reviewed. So when this product supplier says this is your rinse-free disinfecting champ that kills 99.9% of germs, including viruses, bacteria, mold, mildew, COVID, respiratory viruses, and the viruses that cause the flu, you can be sure that it does just that. This product is also a powerful multipurpose cleaner that cuts through grease, grime, dirt, soap, scum, and sticky messes with squeaky, clean, sparkling, odor-free results. But for me, it's not just about keeping the spa and my home spotless. It's about protecting my team, my clients, my pets, and my loved ones from unnecessary toxins. Because the truth is the cleaning industry is one of the most toxic industries in the world. And unfortunately, we don't really talk about that enough. So let's do that now. According to Force of Nature's research, chronic exposure to conventional cleaning products can be as damaging to your lungs as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Think about that for a second. Every spray, every wipe, day after day, exposing our lungs and skin to the three most commonly found ingredients in these products bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, which in our industry we call quats, and synthetic fragrances. These ingredients are often called the toxic three, and they've been shown to cause asthma and allergies in people who've never even had them before. And studies show that chronic exposure increases your risk of COPD by up to 45%. So when you meet people who have COPD but have never smoked, maybe this could be the reason why. Exposure to these toxins can even be linked to developmental issues in children who are born to women that were chronically exposed to these cleaning products during pregnancy, with a 70% increased likelihood of having children with asthma. And beyond what they do to us, they're also damaging our planet, contaminating our groundwater, affecting wildlife, aquatic life, plants, and contributing to microplastic pollution. We haven't even dug into microplastic toxicity yet, but just to put it into perspective for you quickly, studies show that something like 90% of the water we drink contains microplastics, and that we ingest about one credit card's worth of plastic a week. When I read that stat, I was like, what? Like, what the heck? That statistic is utterly staggering to me. It makes me want to hurl. So anytime we can switch to reusable and refillable products and products with less packaging, all the better. And this force of nature product is one more thing that allows us to do that. No more tossing out used bottles. And because the bottles are BPA and BPS free, we don't have to worry about the microplastics in those bottles leaching into the same cleaners that we're using to spray and wipe all over our countertops and everything we use and touch throughout the day. And again, this product also has no fragrances, dyes, preservatives, ammonia, VOCs, which are those volatile organic compounds that I talked about before, phthalates, quats, or alcohol ethoxalates. And if you remember, I talked about many of these toxins in my Eliminating Toxins podcast. So take a listen to those if you don't know what I'm talking about. But when I discovered Force of Nature, it wasn't just about cleanliness anymore. It was about consciousness. So let's talk a little bit about the science behind all of this magic. I know that I was always taught that the product isn't strong enough if you can't smell it. And quite frankly, if the hairs on your nose weren't burning when you're using a cleaning product, then it probably wasn't getting the job done. So how does force of nature with no odor, no harmful chemicals, and no rinsing required actually work? The technology, which is called electrolyzed water, has actually been used for over 50 years in industrial applications like hospital infection control, veterinary care, and wound healing. And you make it yourself in your own home in just three easy steps. And here's how you do it: you just fill up this cute little beaker-looking electrolyzer with tap water, and then you squeeze in one capsule of this solution, which is a mixture of salt and vinegar, and then you hit the start button on the electrolyzer. Now, if I can just geek out on you for a few seconds with the science behind all of this, the really cool part about this product is that when you hit the power button, an electrical current breaks apart the water, the salt, and the vinegar molecules and reforms them into two completely new powerful substances, hypochlorous acid and sodium hydroxide. Hypochlorous acid is actually the antimicrobial powerhouse that kills germs as effectively as bleach, but it's so safe that it's used in wound care and even in eye drops. This is the same compound that our immune systems make naturally in our bodies to help fight off diseases and illnesses. So it's pretty cool. And then sodium hydroxide is a gentle detergent that cuts grease, grime, and soap scum. This compound is used at different concentrations and products ranging anywhere from skincare and toothpaste to cleaners, but the concentration and force of nature is so small, like 0.0000003%, that it's so gentle and requires no rinsing. And together, these two compounds create a hospital-grade disinfectant that's non-toxic, kid safe, pet safe, and completely sustainable. So after you've made your disinfectant, it takes two minutes for the force of nature cleaner to actually disinfect after you've sprayed it on whatever item you're cleaning. For hard, non-porous surfaces, you're going to want to first clean the surface of any soil or residue so that the force of nature formula can actually come into full contact with 100% of that surface. And then you'll spray the surface with your force of nature until the surface is thoroughly wet and then let it sit for two minutes. And then you can either just let it air dry or you can wipe it with a clean cloth or a paper towel. I love this product so much because in the spa industry, we go through tons of bottles of cleaning products every day. But force of nature has definitely changed that for us. With every batch that we make, we reduce plastic waste by 97%. There's no more shipping of those giant jugs of toxic chemicals, no single-use plastic bottles, and no harsh fumes filling our treatment rooms. And one box of those little capsules that I showed you, which is 25 capsules of the solution, is equivalent to six gallons of bleach. The product is also green seal certified for sustainability and environmental excellence, which means it meets the highest standards for protecting human health, preserving the climate, and minimizing waste. It's also carbon neutral certified and has received the highest rating on Mayo Clinic's skin safe allergy safety rating system, meaning it's 100% free from top allergens. It's also been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and is typically non-irritating for those with sensitive skins and even conditions like psoriasis. It's leaping bunny certified, so it's verified to be cruelty-free and 100% free from animal testing. And it's the only disinfectant that has been awarded the Clean Label Project Purity Award, which means it's not only a top-performing cleaning product, but it's pure from chemicals of concern, including heavy metals, pesticide residues, and plasticizers. Plus, you can actually designate 1% of what you pay for the product to a nonprofit organization of your choice. And although it's not cheaper than Bleach, at just 10 cents an ounce, it's up to 80% less than typical green cleaning products like seventh generation, or even products like Lysolf, Abreeze, Windex, Formula 409, and Scrubbing Bubbles. Force of Nature also has a subscription program, which gets your costs down to eight cents per ounce with convenient auto shipping. So you don't even have to think about ordering. So it's safe, it's effective, it's healthy, it's convenient, and it's cost affordable too. So when I say this product aligns with our philosophy of being a luxury wellness brand with purpose and having products, services, and equipment that are clean and non-toxic is absolutely possible. I mean it. It's beautiful science that supports both people and planet. And now that I've told you how amazing this product is, let's spend a few minutes talking about how I personally use Force of Nature. At Panacea and Decalash, Force of Nature is our one and done cleaner. We use it on our treatment room tables and chairs, service tools and implements and supply carts, and everything else from the tiles in our pools to the countertops, door handles, and even our window glass. In addition to all of its incredible disinfecting properties, it's also proven to be as effective as bleach on grease and oil, Febreze on odors, Windex on glass, resolve on rugs, and has none of the toxic chemicals that we've seen in these products or the many other cleaning products on the market that claim to be clean and toxin-free, but really aren't, like seventh generation. At home, it's my go-to for our bathrooms, our kitchen counters, any spills or messes, pet accidents, yoga mats, and other stinky workout equipment, and even fresh flowers. Yes, adding a few ounces to your vase can actually make your fresh cut flowers last longer. And we even use it to disinfect all of our fruits and vegetables too. It's perfect for deodorizing trash cans and diaper pails, kitty litter, and pet toys. Use it for cleaning makeup brushes, humidifiers, lunchboxes, cutting boards, gym gear, kids' toys, and even baby gear like pacifiers, high chairs, bibs, strollers, and car seats, and basically anywhere that you'd normally reach for something harsh. It's safe for cleaning sealed stone, including granite, marble, and quartz, as well as stainless steel, glass, tile, plastic, wood, laminate, composite, grout, rubber, and more. And it leaves a streak-free shine on glass and metal surfaces. It can even be used to clean color-fast rugs, stuffed animals, and other fabrics, as long as they don't have a label on them that says only non-chlorine bleach. One thing to note is that because Force of Nature has no whiteners in it, like bleach does, it won't remove set in rust, hard water, or mold stains on porous surfaces. It still kills the mold, but it won't remove the black or green stains that remain behind. And this was this was a big thing because when we first started using Force of Nature, um, I had an area that I saw some mold building up and I kind of freaked out because I sprayed it and it didn't go away. So I called the company and then they explained to me in more detail it's actually killing the fungus, but it's not going to take away that stain. So just keep that in mind. And with soap scum, depending on the buildup and surface porosity, you may need a mild abrasive like baking soda with your scrub brush the first few times because the soap scum builds up in layers and it can require a few applications before it is totally broken down. And if you're using force of nature on brass or copper, this is the only time that you'll want to rinse it with water or make sure that you wipe it until it's thoroughly dry because you don't want the force of nature to sit on soft metals over time. So again, it's just three simple steps. And then nine minutes later, you've got a powerful cleanser that lasts for two weeks. No gloves, no fumes, no waste. You might be wondering why it only lasts for two weeks. Well, like bubbles and a carbonated drink, hypochlorous acid dissipates over time as well. But since the bottles that are made for home use are only 12 ounces, which is about half the size of a normal cleaning bottle, and since I use it for literally everything, I find it very easy to use up the 12 ounces in that two weeks before it starts to lose its potency. I just write an expiration date on the bottle so I know when to replace it. But actually, the beaker itself has pretty cool technology in it because it has lights around the base that light up in different colors to let you know when you need to make a new batch. It lights up blue when the cleaner is being made. Green means that it's ready to use. And every two days, one section of the green lights will shut off. And then when you have only two days left, the one remaining green section of the lights will turn yellow. And then at day 14, the entire base will turn solid red so that you know you need to make a new batch. It's actually really super cool and super simple. The electronic control system on the beaker senses and adapts to accommodate differences in water chemistry and temperature too, so that you can be sure every batch meets the EPA's stringent 99.9% germ kill requirements. So let's bring this whole discussion back to entrepreneurship because we talk about that a lot on Serenity and Fire. And the thing is, is that when you're building a brand that's about health and wellness and healing, every choice we make matters all the way down to our disinfectants. And to me, force of nature represents a shift in consciousness where luxury and clean science can coexist and where the concept of having all natural non-toxic products that actually provide efficacy and true therapeutic benefits is no longer a concept, but a reality. That performance doesn't require poison. And that sustainability isn't a trend. It's the new baseline. This is what modern entrepreneurship looks like to me: building businesses that are aligned with our values, our health, and the planet's well-being. So if you want to experience the product for yourself, whether you own a spa, manage a wellness space, any business, or simply just want a cleaner home environment for you and your family, Force of Nature actually partnered with Serenity and Fire to give my listeners 40% off their 12-ounce starter kits and bundles. These kits include your electrolyzer, power cord, 12-ounce spray bottle, which you can get in glass or plastic. And again, remember the plastic is BPA and BPS free and reusable. And then you also get five activator capsules, and each one of those capsules will fill a 12-ounce spray bottle. And then you get a quick start guide and a user guide as well. There are other bundles and packages that you can purchase, and you'll also get the 40% off on those. You just want to use the code SIRFIRE40, and that's S-E-R-F-I-R-E 40 at checkout on forceofnatureclean.com. We'll put all of that in the show notes so that you have easy access to it. But it's a small change that you can make for massive impact for your health, your family, your team, and the planet. So here's the bottom line: Force of Nature is proof that science and sustainability can live beautifully together. It's powerful enough for hospitals, gentle enough for baby bottles, and clean enough for the planet. And for me, it's the only cleaner that truly aligns with everything Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique and Serenity and Fires stand for. Okay, that's it for today's episode. Hopefully I gave you one more great yet simple way to start eliminating toxins in your life. And I hope I've also shown you how you can be your own force of nature by putting yourself one step closer to your clean living goals. Thank you so much for listening to today's show. If you found this information helpful, please share it with someone who's ready to start living cleaner, literally. And remember to follow us on social and wherever you get your podcasts at Serenity and Fire. The best way to support the show is to follow us, leave a review, and share my episodes with someone who might need to hear these messages. Until next time, keep balancing serenity with fire. I'm Krista Guigeni, and I'll talk with you in our next episode. At Panacea Luxury Spa Boutique, we don't just offer traditional spa treatments. We create rituals that relax your mind, restore your health, and rejuvenate your spirit. From biohacking technologies to advanced oncology trained care, everything we do is designed to help you heal on the deepest level with clean, holistic therapies, products, and amenities that are second to none. And right now you can experience two of my favorites our whole body LED light bed or hyperbaric oxygen therapies. And as a thank you for listening, you'll get 10% off your first session when you use the code Serenity10 at booking. What is your panacea? Let us help you find it because true wellness isn't a quick fix, it's a ritual.