The active ingredient in Nok-Out and SNiPER™ is a substance called chlorine dioxide. This substance has unique properties and is responsible for both eliminating odors and for disinfecting. The wikipedia entry1 for ClO2 tells us, “As a disinfectant it is effective even at low concentrations because of its unique qualities.”
In it’s natural state, ClO2 is a gas like helium or nitrogen. As you might imagine, gases are quite difficult for most people to use. For our products, this gas has been stabilized into a water base. If you examine the ingredients on the SDS, you can see that SNiPER™ is 99.59% water.
Historically, no consumer grade chlorine dioxide product was developed for 3 important reasons: 1) gasses are hard to use – most of us can’t. 2) In it’s gaseous state, gas ClO2 is toxic. And 3) in it’s gaseous form, it’s useful lifespan is measured in minutes – around 70 minutes. In our formulation, when ClO2 was stabilized into this water base, all 3 of those flip-flopped. It went from hard to use gas, to easy to use liquid; from toxic to very low toxicity (the EPA gives Sniper a “IV” rating for toxicity – that’s the lowest toxicity rating they give out) and third, it went from from very short lifespan to a lifespan measured in years and years.
“Many evaluations have shown ClO2 compounds to be non-toxic. Five decades of use have not indicated any adverse effects on health. The main areas of use have been disinfecting water supplies, the elimination of unwanted tastes and odors…”2
How Does Chlorine Dioxide Work?
Nok-Out and SNiPER™ are highly selective oxidizers and when they come into direct contact with something smelly, they oxidize that stuff, thus eliminating that odor permanently. Oxidizers require direct contact with the odor source to be able to do their work. As with all cleaning products, it takes some time for this oxidization process to work. So if you were to spray onto a hard surface and then immediately wipe it up, there may not be time for this work to take place. it’s usually best to spray, wipe (to evenly coat the surface to be cleaned) and walk away, allowing it to air dry. It is during this drying time that Nok-Out does it’s job.
Why Should I Use Chlorine Dioxide? Why Not Just Use Bleach?
The dangers of using bleach are well documented, (do a google search for “is bleach dangerous?” and you’ll see!) but there is no protective agency warning consumers of these health hazards. In the workplace, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires anyone handling bleach to use a mask and gloves when handling this substance. Even scientists in a lab will wear gloves and mask and have good ventilation when using this product. Do you take these precautions when cleaning with bleach in your home? Unlike bleach, the reaction that takes place in removing odors or in disinfecting when using Chlorine dioxide does not result in by-products that are toxic to wildlife or the environment. That environment includes your home! So both Nok-Out and Sniper products can be relied upon to clean and deodorize while not contributing to a toxic home or office. Additionally, bleach is a strongly corrosive material that WILL irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory tract. These dangers are greatly increased when it is mixed with other cleaners, sometimes forming toxic gasses that can seriously damage your health.
How is Nok-Out and SNiPER™ Different from Bleach?
In our formulation of Chlorine dioxide, the technology we have is a management system that manages Chlorine Dioxide in such a way that dangerous by-products are not formed and no raw chlorine is ever released. This stabilized formulation is recognized by the EPA as being of very low toxicity in the 4 categories of toxicity they care about:
- toxicity to skin – level “IV” (the lowest rating they allow)
- toxicity to eyes – level “IV”
- toxicity to be inhaled – level “IV”
- toxicity to be ingested – level “IV”
After thorough testing, the EPA has granted us the lowest toxicity rating they give out.
Is ClO2 Environmentally Friendly?
“Because chlorine dioxide oxidizes but does not chlorinate, chlorinated organic by-products (e.g., THM, HAA, dioxins, furans) typically are not produced. Neither does chlorine dioxide produce appreciable amounts of aldehydes, ketones, ketoacids nor other problematic compounds associated with oxidation of organic matter by other, less selective means.”3 Additionally, toxicological studies have shown that Chlorine dioxide disinfection pose no significant risk to human or animals. So yes, both SNiPER and Nok-Out can be considered as being ‘green’. Thanks for reading! If you have questions, please send an email to ted@nokout.com or call 866 551 1927.
References
1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorine_dioxide
2) http://www.grandcircuitinc.com/sites/default/files/Howard%20Alliger%20-%20An%20Overall%20View%20Cl02.pdf
Additional references
http://www.nokout.com/nok-out-safety-data-sheet/
http://globalenvironmentalrestoration.com/sniper-faq/
Hello … Is your product truly chlorine dioxide, or the usual sodium chlorite?
It is truly chlorine dioxide. See: http://www.nokout.com/SDS-Nok-Out-Odor-Eliminator.html and http://www.nokout.com/nok-out-safety-data-sheet/.
Since ClO2 is generated through the activation of sodium chlorite, are you generating ClO2 before you package it? If so, what effect does that have on shelf life?
In our products, ClO2 is ‘stabilized’ so that the molecule remains active for at least a couple of years. If you still have questions, give Ted a call at 512 607 6621.
I notice you only list tobacco smoke and not cigarette smoke. How effective is this for cleaning carpets and walls that smells like cigarette smoke? How much would you have to use for this?
Hi Lisa,
Nokout and Sniper work well against any kind of smoke odor. In a best case scenario, you would spray the walls, and then wipe them down, thus removing the smelly smoke particles. But it may not be possible to wipe. You can still just spray and walk away allowing it to air dry and you will still notice a big difference. It’s hard to sya how much you will need for this. A good sprayer such as the Fogmaster Jr will get you around 2500 square feet of coverage per gallon.
Ted
How about treating cigarette odors in cars? How effective is your product and what quantity would be needed to do the complete interior of an average size car??
Nok-Out works very well to remove cigarette odor from cars. We have a “How-To” article for you here: https://nokout.com/remove-odor-from-your-car-with-nok-out/ I think that a pint or possibly a quart will be sufficient.
Can you use this to get out mouse urine odor from your stove?
Nokout works really well against urine odors. As long as you can get Nokout to be in contact with the urine, it will do a good job for you.
Does Nok Out also contain ClO2? If so, does it do the same job as SNiPer?
Nok-Out does indeed also contain ClO2, though the concentration of that ClO2 is slightly less. Due to labeling laws and related regulations, I cannot make any ‘kill claims’ about Nok-Out because all of the lab tests refer to SNiPER – and not to Nok-Out.
What does it smell like…..I clean homes and I worry about it having a hospital smell…..
It has no added scent. But it may smell a bit like a swimming pool in poorly ventilated areas. If you can air it out well, it leaves no odor/scent behind.
Does this product have the same bleaching qualities as chlorine bleach…. is it safe for furniture or will it bleach the color out?
Chlorine dioxide is very much unlike bleach (sodium hypochlorite). For most fabrics, Nok-Out will not cause bleaching. But when applying Nok-Out or SNiPER to fabric, you should always dilute and it is always a smart thing to test for colorfastness first in an inconspicuous area.
I hope that helps!
Will this kill the 3 strains of ringworm?
Thank you for writing! We don’t have any formal studies addressing ringworm. However, I work with several local pet rescue people who tell me that SNiPER takes care of ringworm for them. So it is anecdotal evidence only. If you try it, please do let me know what results you get! Thanks! Give me a call toll free at 866 551 1927 if yo have questions. Ted
Is this safe for use on carpets? Can i mix this with hot water and use in my carpet cleaner? I saw a post on another site where someone said they did that & it cleaned the carpets amazingly!
Yes Carol – You can indeed mix Nok-Out with hot water for use in your carpet cleaner. See: https://nokout.com/Carpet-Odors.html for more detailed instructions. If you still have questions, please give Ted a call at 866 551 1927.
Can sniper be used directly on pets?
Hi Katrina – yes indeed. Both Nok-Out and Sniper are safe for use on skin. Anecdotally, pet rescue people tell me that Sniper will remove ringworm and even help in dealing with mange.
Will Sniper get rid of C Diff spores?
The EPA requires a “6 log reduction” to be able to claim that SNiPER will kill those spores. In stringent testing, SNiPER, has only achieved a 5 log reduction, so we cannot make that claim.
Will it damage plant leaves if sprayed on plants such as tomatoes?
It may damage the leaves, but it probably would not kill the plants
Will Nok-Out cause a problem for my turtle if I use it in a cool mist humidifier? Will I need to cover his tank? Is it safe to be in the house when the humidifier is going for a considerable length of time? I also have three cats.
Nok-Out is quite safe. Your turtles, cats and your family will all be safe. In fact, I know several pet rescue folks who purposely create a little ‘tent’ using a vaporizer and an old sheet, to make a treatment area for rescued pets with lung infection. So I can assert that you and all your family, including pets, will have not problems when i n a room being fogged. A thick fog, however, can smell like a swimming pool in the room being treated.
So do I want the Nok out or Sniper
Hi Michelle, If it is just odor, then you want Nok-Out. If you need disinfection against mold or the like, then you want SNiPER.
How about putting your products in a container, like other disinfecting wipes are. I would guess you would sell a lot more cleaning products that way. My daughter in law uses disinfecting wipes in her kitchen and bathroom. They have a strong odor, and I have a rash on the hand I was using them with. Your products no rash no harmful chemicals sounds like it would be easier more convenient , and safer.
I will certainly pass this request along to the manufacturer – I agree with you that wipes would be a great thing!
Hello
Can i use it on a feather duvet which smell a lot feather? Thanks
You can use it on a feather duvet. I would dilute some Nok-Out by around 5 parts water to one part Nok-Out or SNiPER. Washing in a tub this way is the most gentle thing I know of. Allow the duvet to soak for 20 minutes or so, then throw all of it into the spin/rinse cycle of your washer and spin it as dry as you can, before drying.
Are there any long term effect of sniper on metals it comes in contact with?
It is an oxidizer and constant contact with SNiPER would result in some oxidization of the metal. In ordinary use, however, it is unlikely to have much effect.
Hi
1.Can we use Nokout and Sniper in a Car to remove Odor.
2.Can we use them in a Sprayer like Example Wagner sprayer.
3.Do you sell Sprayer as well.
Thanks
Mir
Nok-Out or SNiPER can be used in cars, trucks, SUV’s and so on.
Sprayers can be found here: https://nokout.com/Sprayers/
I am wanting to replace all my cleaning supplies with Sniper. What is the measurements for dilution for floors, bathrooms, and kitchen?
hi Lynda,
For floors, I usually dilute by 4 water to one SNiPER and this is sued in one of the new ‘mops’ with a sprayer on the handle and a removable microfiber head. You can dilute 6 to 1 for ‘sanitizing’ kitchen surfaces. (sanitizing – generally speaking – means that you will k ill 99.9% of germs with a 1 minute exposure. ‘Disinfection’ means that you will kill 99.999% with a 10 minute exposure.) For bathrooms, I always go full strength.
How would you suggest I treat a lampshade with a very musty odor? It has a hard plastic form covered by a satiny fabric which I’m pretty sure is synthetic rather than silk. There is also a yellowish stain (like a watermark) on the fabric which I suspect was there when I purchased the lampshade new. Thanks!
Hi Sue,
Thanks for your question. Nok-Out will remove that musty odor on contact with the odor source – which, for musty odors, is most likely a fungus. Nok-Out is mostly water, so it wouldn’t hurt to test to see whether water will leave any kind of stain or other watermark. Spray near the existing watermark and allow it to air dry. If there is no problem, go ahead a spray the entire thing inside and out. Allow it to air dry naturally. That should do it!
Can Nokout be used directly on pets? Is it safe to use on dog’s face? I have a dog that loves chasing/catching skunks.
Nok-Out can be sprayed directly on your pet – or you, for that matter, as it causes no harm to skin. There is a soapy component to Nok-Out though, so take care to not spray the eyes. The easiest way to handle this is to soak a rag in Nok-Out and use it to wipe near the eyes.
What then is the difference between Nok-Out and SNiPER ?
SNiPER is an EPA registered disinfectant that will kill odors as well as germs. Nok-Out is only an odor killer.
I’m having issues of chickens with respiratory infections in my chicken coop. Can I use sniper in my coop and try to remove whatever is making them ill. It’s a wooden floor. It won’t hurt them will it?
SNiPER will not harm your chickens in anyway. You could certainly spray down their coop. You may even want to consider putting some SNiPER into a common household vaporizer or room humidifier and enclosing the coop temporarily. Put the vaporizer into the coop and let it run for 30 – 45 minutes with the chickens inside the coop. I know that pet rescue people in my local community do this for mammals with respiratory infections. They claim to me that it works.
SNIPER can be breathed safely and has the lowest toxicity rating that the EPA gives out in all four categories – including inhalation.
Give me a call if you like – 866 551 1927.
Ted, I have a question about Sniper. My Basement has some serious leaks and some slight wall bowing. Water comes in through cracks and is also lifting off the waterproofing paint(drylock). After fixing/sealing leaks to remove moisture, how do I kill the large amount of black mold? Is sniper my best choice? If so do I spray it on all walls? What dilution ratio? Should I use in conjunction with a fogger to get it (spores) out of the air? When I’m through if I have properly done these procedures, will this give me a level of clean similar to what a mold remediation company would provide? Thanks, I’ve been using Sniper for household disenfection for years, now I need big guns. adp
Hi Arlen,
SNiPER is the one for killing Mold. Use of a fogger is the best option because in addition to being very efficient with your use of SNiPER, you can spray the air on the finest droplet size setting to kill spores in the air. Do wear a mask to avoid breathing any spores! You are correct that you MUST resolve the water issue first, or you’ll just have to do it all over again later. You may well have mold growing behind the walls – you’ll have to check that.
1st – fix the water leak
2nd – fog the air to kill spores in the air before you start scrubbing. Wear a mask!
3rd – look behind the walls to check for mold. Don’t omit this step. It’s very important. You may well have to pull down the sheet rock or other wall to check, but this is crucial. Everywhere you see mold growing spray it with SNiPER. In general – spray, scrub lightly to try and remove any crud, wipe loose crud away. Spray one more time and allow it to air dry.
Give me a call at 866 551 1927 if you have more questions. Also, there are good mold ‘How-to’s available at http://www.nokout.com
I had a nasty smelling liquid seek into my cloth car seat. Can I safely spray nokout without worrying about color change?
It is extremely unlikely that Nok-Out would cause any color change because it is non-corrosive. The nasty smelling liquid, on the other hand, could very well cause a color change.
I moved in to a house that was vacant for years and had birds in the microwave exhaust vent both dead and living. Pulled down microwave removed dead birds and cannot get rid of odor. Will your product remove this odor?
Nok-Out will remove that odor on contact with the odor source. Spraying into duct work can be a bit of a challenge, but Nok-Out will certainly do the job if you can get it to come into contact with the stinky source. A professional would use a machine called a ‘fogger’ (kind of like an air powered paint sprayer, except that you can control the droplet size) to spray up into the ductworks and achieve that direct contact. This will work for you.
Will Nok-Out get rid of skunk smell? We’ve had skunks get under the house & everything smells like skunk.
Yes – Nok-Out will remove skunk smell. See: https://nokout.com/Remove-Skunk-Odors.html
Hello Ted,
I have used Nok Out for years and am very happy with it. I do have an application question. We have sulphur water where I live. We use an injection system with bleach and an air tank to dissipate the odor before it hits our faucets.
Would Nok Out be effective in place of the bleach. I don’t like the idea of using bleach in my water and pipes. We don’t drink the water but we do cook with it.
Thanks for you help. I appreciate it.
Hi Carolyn.
Interesting question! Nok-Out is non-toxic so it wouldn’t cause harm. The active ingredient in our products is Chlorine Dioxide, and the gaseous form of this substance is used in water treatment facilities all over the planet. So again, Nok-Out may be a good substitute for you.
Can it be used in laundry in place of bleach for colors?
Hi Bruce – you can use it in laundry – no problem. But it is not a replacement for bleach and will not have the corrosive effects of bleach on your clothes.
How can I use it for grassy areas: Parvo specific
Hi Lisa – dilute by 3 water to 1 sniper. Spray heavily. If it is very hot outside, then do this in the evening so that it won’t evaporate quite so quickly.
Hi, Can i spray it in my aircon unit? It seems to have smelly sock syndrome. I am concerned whether corrode chlorine dioxide will corrode the metal parts
SNiPER disinfectant is the one you want. It has been approved for use on HVAC units. It is non-corrosive, so you need not worry. See: https://nokout.com/Clean-and-Deodorize-HVAC-Systems.html
I am an American living overseas in Prague, Czech Republic. Is there a way to purchase your product over here? Thanks.
Hi Laura,
Yes indeed. We use a service here that works: http://www.myus.com. The way this works is, you create an account with them and receive an address in the USA. Then, you place an order on http://www.nokout.com and we ship to you through them. For us, shipping is included, but you pay them to ship to you in Europe. We have searched extensively and this is typically the best way to accomplish overseas orders. Ordinary post is incredibly expensive and this is the cheapest we’ve been able to locate. Contact me directly at ted@nokout.com with further questions. Thanks!
we just aquired a used leather recliner couch from friends only to realized it harbors a very musty smell. It was being kept in their basement. Can I spray sniper directly on the leather surfaces?
Yes, you can! See: https://nokout.com/Cleaning-a-Leather-Sofa-with-Nok-Out.html
Hello, can I remove odors or stains from dry clean only clothing that my dry-cleaner was unable to remove? I don’t think I can get the fabrics wet.
Good question!
Both Nok-Out and SNiPER are mostly water – 99.6% – so it probably wouldn’t be a good idea to drench them in either one. But you may be able to spray them very lightly and use a damp rag or something to gently and careful wipe it around the fabrics. The idea is to get Nok-Out/Sniper to come into direct contact with the source of the odor – else it can’t do it’s work. But, that direct contact may be too much water for the fabric. It’s a tricky situation.
If the dry cleaner couldn’t get the stain out, then Nok-Out will be unable to as well, largely because of the water issue.
Can you use it to disinfect the air ducts?
Yes – when you buy the gallon size Sniper disinfectant, there is another label under the “top” label. Peel off the top one and there you will find instructions for use in an HVAC system, including the ducts.
Do NokOut and Sniper have the same concentration of CIO2?
Sniper is 2,000 parts per million of ClO2. Nok-Out is around 1,800 ppm.
Sniper has 2,000 ppm (parts per million). NOkout is around 1800 ppm.
Does the original Nok-Out (not Sniper) kill COVID-19 virus?
Nok-Out is an odor eliminator. It is not registered as a disinfectant. Don’t rely on it to kill anything other than odors.
How long does the sniper stay on the surfaces and protect against virus like Corona?
There is no going-forward effect
How long does it stay on the surface and kills virus after being sprayed? 48 hours?
There is no going-forward effect.
How would I use this to get the urine smell out of my artificial turf and which one should I use?
Nok-Out will work just fine for that. It requires direct contact with ALL of the odor source to do what it does. You may need to dilute by 3 water to 1 Nok-Out and spray heavily – this usually works well as it gives you lots of fluid to work with. Spray -and walk away. Allow it to air dry.
Hello, can the Sniper be used with an electrostatic sprayer? and how could I dilute it?
Sniper is not corrosive and so can be used in a fogger (but not a thermal fogger – the high heat produced in thermal units will destroy the active ingredient). Dilution is up to you. See: http://blog.nokout.com/what-level-of-clean-is-right-for-you/
My daughter works at a vet office and comes into contact with the parvo virus almost daily. How should Sniper be used to clean her clothes? Dilute or use full strength? If full strength, how long to sit before normal washing? Her scrubs are colored, or else I would just use Clorox bleach.
Parvo is a really tough-to-kill virus so this is a good question. Theoretically, you should go full strength and wait for 10 minutes. Another solution would be to use a bucket or washtub and make a solution in which you can soak the clothes for an hour or so. You could dilute by 3 or 4 water to 1 sniper in the tub, add the clothes and come by to turn the clothes every little while. In this method, you are diluting, but allowing for a much longer ‘contact time’ to compensate. This could be done on a weekly basis though you would need to keep those clothing items separate form the rest of your dirty clothing.
I have a collectable doll that’s approx. 40 years old which was stored away for a very long time. It has a musty odor to it which is both in the clothing on it, as well as in the soft body portions of it (The head & neck, hands and feet are all hand-painted porcelain). Would it be safe to use either Nok-Out or Sniper on it?
Hi Deborah,
Nokout would help with that odor, but you must carefully test that the fabrics are colorfast. THe easy way to do this is to find a white washrag and wrap a bit of it around your forefinger. Wet the tip of that finger with Nokout and then rub gently on the different fabrics for about 10 seconds. Examine the fingertip for any color that may have rubbed off. If some of the color transfers to the white rag – it is not colorfast. Nokout can still help, but it will be more difficult. Call Ted at 866 551 1927.
What is the Percentage concentration of Chlorine dioxide? Is it safe to use as a water additive to my pets’ water? If so, what dilution do you recommend?
Hi V, The percentage of ClO2 is 0.2% or 2,000 ppm. I add an ounce or two to my pets water bowl twice a weeek.
hey dumb question// since nokout kills odor on contact can you use it on your body parts…. safely//
Hi Carmine,
Nok-Out does not cause harm to skin and I have indeed sprayed myself with it occasionally with no adverse results. Not a dumb question at all!
Hi. Will the clo2 vapor from fogging harm antique surfaces or will the clo2 gas harm paintings or old books. Thanks!
Hi Sandi,
Good questions! Our products are both mostly water, so care should be taken to not do anything that might cause ordinary water damage, Having said that, neither Nok-Out nor SNiPER are corrosive and do not harm most surfaces. If you feel concern about fragile antique surfaces, then come back after 2 or 3 minutes and carefully wipe those surfaces dry with a soft cloth.
For paintings and old books, I think the smartest application method would be to dampen a soft cloth with Nok-Out or SNiPER and gently, carefully wipe those surfaces. You would be smart to test the surfaces for colorfastness. Use a soft white cloth that is not abrasive to very gently wipe down painted surfaces, if possible, in an inconspicuous place. Take a look at the cloth to see if there has been any color transfer. If not, then it is probably safe. If you do see color transfer then stop.
I’m getting an odor that developed suddenly last December in a corner of our family room that sits above a crawl space. The crawl space has some fiberglass insulation above the soil below. I’m guessing that an animal may have died in the crawl space or mice may have died in one of the nearby family room walls. I drilled holes at the base of the adjacent family room walls; and into part of the crawl space near the smelly corner. Sprayed some knockout into these holes in both the walls and the crawl space and it seems to have helped. I expect a fogger might get the nokout further into these areas. Any ideas? Would Sniper work better? Do you sell a fogger? Thanks!
I do think a fogger is a good way to approach the issue because Nokout/Sniper can only remove odor when in direct contact with the odor source – otherwise, it would either be a masking scent or some kind of magic. The fine mist setting has a better chance of floating around on air currents and thus, coming into direct contact with the odor source.
We do sell a fogger – see the Shop page here: https://nokout.com/shop/
Nokout has 1,800 ppm of the active ingredient and Sniper has 2,000 ppm, so not a lot of difference.
In a worst case scenario, it takes about 3 weeks for a mouse to decompose. A rat, however, could take 6 to 8 weeks.
Greetings,
I have a shower wall cavity which is showing signs of black mold thru the grout.
will your product be useful to clear mold out of the inside of the wall?
How would I need to handle the project?
Would a tank sprayer work?
Hi Robert,
I’m not sure that I have a good understanding of your issue, but in general, Sniper will kill any mold or spores, on contact. Sniper is not a bleaching agent, however, and even if you kill that mold, it is unlikely to change color. Mold ALWAYS begins as a water issue – no water – no mold. So your first step should always be to find and correct the water issue.
will this concentration of chlorine dioxide Cl02, kill Clostridium botulinum?
Hi Mr Hickman, We do not have a specific test against Clostridium Botulinum, but we are tested to kill other gram positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, so I feel confident that Sniper will kill this one too.