Cleaning the Green Way with ActiveIon's Ionator HOM: Review and Giveaway



Update! This review is now a review AND a giveaway! To find out how you could win your own Ionator HOM, keep reading..


When I first tried out Activeion's amazing hi-tech spray-clean system last year, I knew without a doubt that I was seeing the future. It's a wonderful example of how science can be applied to practical use; imagine, a sprayer that uses tap water to remove stains and dirt and smudges just as effectively as all those harsh chemical sprays, and kills 99.9% of bacteria! The only drawback I could see was the high $299 price tag -- but now they have come up with a $169 home version (the original version was developed for commercial/professional use), so mass adoption can finally begin! I was so excited to be invited to test-drive the new Ionator HOM, and after using it for several weeks I can say honestly that it's an amazing cleaner that I recommend without hesitation.

The Basics
The Ionator HOM turns ordinary tap water into a powerful cleaning agent by introducing a tiny electric charge into the water. This "ionizes" the water so that dirt and germs attach themselves to the water in the same way that they would attach themselves to soap or detergent. If you want a better explanation, watch a video of Bill Nye the Science Guy explaining it. To use it, just charge the sprayer, fill up the reservoir with tap water, and spray away.


The Bongga
I'm already a big fan of the Activeion Pro (the original version for professional/commercial application, which I tested last year and still use as my one and only cleaning agent today) , so I was curious to see how this HOM version compares. Here are the differences:

1) Price: the Activeion Pro costs $299 and the Ionator HOM version costs $169, a significant drop in price!

2) Physical appearance: the HOM is smaller and sleeker, with a wider base that keeps it from tipping over.


3) Maintenance: the HOM has a smaller water reservoir and a shorter charge life. This is one of the tradeoffs you make for the difference in price, and I think it's one that home users will be more than happy to live with. After all, professionals spend all day cleaning and spraying, so they don't want to be charging and filling their units all the time.

4) Sanitizing capabilities: Believe it or not, the Ionator HOM actually has improved upon the sanitizing powers of the older Activeion Pro! Activeion's marketing folks tell me that the Activeion Pro is "tested and certified to REMOVE greater than 99.9% of harmful bacteria through a spray-and-wipe process", while the newer Ionator cleaners (the Ionator HOM and the Ionator EXP, a commercial/professional version) are "tested and certified to KILL more than 99.9% of harmful bacteria, even the H1N1 virus, through a 6-second continuous spray".

As far as stain removal is concerned, I honestly don't see any difference; the HOM does the job as well as the Pro does! Even tough stains like red Kool-Aid are no problem:


Finally, I can't say enough about how happy I am that it's so safe for kids. It uses no chemicals whatsoever, just tap water, so I know they aren't breathing in or ingesting anything harmful. Now I don't ever have to feel guilty about telling my kids to clean up their spills and messes with the Ionator HOM :)



The Blah
I'm not a big fan of the HOM's water reservoir, which must be detached from the main unit before it can be refilled. Reattaching the reservoir can be tricky, especially when it's full of water! I much prefer the EXP's water reservoir, which is a part of the main unit -- just unscrew the cap, hold it under a faucet, and fill -- no additional parts to break!


The Bottom Line
The Ionator HOM is a safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly way to clean your home that really WORKS. This new HOM version is more affordable than ever and the best cleaning investment you'll ever make.



Win It!
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive an Ionator HOM, courtesy of Activeion. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post and tell me the feature of the Ionator HOM that you find most useful when it comes to cleaning your home.

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following, (you can only do each extra entry once; please leave a separate comment for each extra entry):

1) Subscribe to Bonggamom Finds updates by email (leave a comment with your email address).

2) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(leave a comment with your Blogger profile name).

3) Become a fan of Bonggamom Finds on Facebook AND write on my Fan Wall, telling me you've joined the ionator HOM giveaway (leave a comment here with your FB id).

4) Become a fan of ActiveIon on Facebook AND write on their Fan Wall, telling them that Bonggamom sent you (leave a comment here with your FB id).

5) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter AND tweet the following (leave a comment with a link to your tweet):

Win the eco-friendly, non-toxic, kid-safe Ionator HOM spray cleaner from @bonggafinds and @active_ion http://tinyurl.com/ybrn5n9

6) Follow @active_ion on Twitter AND tweet the following (leave a comment with a link to your tweet):

@active_ion I just joined the Ionator HOM giveaway on @bonggafinds! http://tinyurl.com/ybrn5n9



Maximum of 7 entries per person. This giveaway ends at midnight PST on March 22, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on March 23 and post the winner's name as soon as the winner confirms acceptance. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!



Disclosure: I received a sample in order to review this product. Unless clearly stated, the views and opinions expressed here are my own.

102 Comments, Leave yours here:

April on March 8, 2010 at 8:54 AM said...

Since I've never actually tried it, I can't say what I like best about it, but the reason I want it is because it seems safe enough for my 9-yr-old to use, too (who likes to help me clean sometimes).

DBARider on March 8, 2010 at 9:42 AM said...

I could see how this could help one with a three year old in the house. I wonder how this works on surfaces like, oh I don't know, my HD TV and the wonderful crayon and chalk marks my daughter likes to leave on it. The fact that it IS just water makes me feel better, like you state, about the lessening of chemical usage in my house.

thanks for the info!

David.

Stimey on March 8, 2010 at 9:58 AM said...

I love the fact that you just use tap water. No chemicals AND you save money!

Unknown on March 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM said...

I've seen the pro version in action. I think it is voodoo. Whatever it is, it works great!

Paige on March 8, 2010 at 10:50 AM said...

Because I have a daughter that's crawling all over the place, I love that it kills more than 99.9% of harmful bacteria simply by spraying!

paige(underscore)grande(at)yahoo.com

Paige on March 8, 2010 at 10:51 AM said...

Following @bonggafinds and tweeted

http://twitter.com/PaigeBayer/status/10182673927

paige(underscore)grande(at)yahoo.com

Paige on March 8, 2010 at 10:54 AM said...

Followed @active_ion and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/PaigeBayer/status/10183017091

paige(underscore)grande(at)yahoo.com

MIG on March 8, 2010 at 11:00 AM said...

The feature I find most useful is that it cleans stainless steel. Sometimes I find it so hard to clean without leaving streaks.

Saph on March 8, 2010 at 12:29 PM said...

The feature I like is that all it needs is plain tap water!!!

Saph on March 8, 2010 at 3:02 PM said...

already following active ion on twitter and here's the tweet:
http://twitter.com/walkwithme/status/10192218086

Saph on March 8, 2010 at 3:04 PM said...

Following you on twitter and tweeted: http://twitter.com/walkwithme/status/10192376672

Ascending Butterfly on March 8, 2010 at 4:51 PM said...

Everyone here has asthma so I like the non-chemical component of it!

Ascending Butterfly on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM said...

I am already an activeion fan on facebook

Ascending Butterfly on March 8, 2010 at 4:52 PM said...

Already an activion fan on Twitter

Ascending Butterfly on March 8, 2010 at 4:53 PM said...

following you via google

Elena G on March 8, 2010 at 6:49 PM said...

I like it that it’s safe and removes more than 99.9% of harmful bacteria which is more than just important when you have a toddler.
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Elena G on March 8, 2010 at 6:51 PM said...

Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (Elena Shkinder-Gugel).
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Elena G on March 8, 2010 at 6:54 PM said...

Became a fan of Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (Elena Shkinder-Gugel) and write on your Fan Wall.
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Stacey / Create a Balance on March 8, 2010 at 9:26 PM said...

I'm following you on Twitter AND tweeted...

http://twitter.com/CreateaBalance/status/10207433232

Stacey / Create a Balance on March 8, 2010 at 9:28 PM said...

The feature of the Ionator HOM that you find most useful when it comes to cleaning your home is how kid friendly it is.

Elena G on March 9, 2010 at 7:31 PM said...

Become a fan of ActiveIon on Facebook (Elena Shkinder-Gugel) and wrote on their Fan Wall.
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Elena G on March 9, 2010 at 7:33 PM said...

Follow you on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/10253802555
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Mami on March 9, 2010 at 9:22 PM said...

I like the no chemicals aspect of this...this is the first I have ever heard of this product.

Ana
FloridaFrugalFamily@yahoo.com

Terri P on March 10, 2010 at 12:32 PM said...

What I think is great about it--besides being chemical-free for my home and loved ones, of course--is that I wouldn't have to buy and haul around the house 10 different kinds of cleaning products!

terripick(at)yahoo.com

K on March 10, 2010 at 1:35 PM said...

The feature I like best is that I will be able to use the Activeion on everything - sinks, counters, mirrors, windows, etc. without having to switch cleaners, rags, etc. or use tons of papertowels. I think it will be so much easier to use reusable cleaning towels with this b/c no cleaner is left on the towels. I also like that I could clean w/ my toddler right next to me and not worry about sprayback from chemicals.

K on March 10, 2010 at 1:37 PM said...

I subscribed to Bonggamom via Feedburner.
rainy_day73(at)yahoo(dot)com

K on March 10, 2010 at 1:40 PM said...

I follow Bonggamom via Blogger, as "K"
rainy_day73(at)yahoo(dot)com

K on March 10, 2010 at 1:44 PM said...

I am already a fan of Activeion on Facebook (Kyla W. - would rather my last name not be posted here, but am easy to find).

Snowflake07 on March 10, 2010 at 2:50 PM said...

The feature I would find most useful is the fact I can use it on fabrics. (Don't get me wrong...I love the fact I can use it in the bathroom or kitchen and the litterbox!) I would love to be able to sanitize my couch pillows and stuffed animals and our mystery carpet stains. :-)

Snowflake07 on March 10, 2010 at 2:56 PM said...

email subscriber

Snowflake07 on March 10, 2010 at 2:57 PM said...

google/blogger follower (Snowflake07)

Snowflake07 on March 10, 2010 at 2:58 PM said...

following Bonggamom on twitter (as SnowflakeDay) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/SnowflakeDay/status/10293179980

Snowflake07 on March 10, 2010 at 2:58 PM said...

following activeion on twitter (as SnowflakeDay) and tweeted: http://twitter.com/SnowflakeDay/status/10293222222

moushka on March 11, 2010 at 9:59 AM said...

I love that it's Chemical Free so that I can safely use it in my Marble shower.

moushka on March 11, 2010 at 9:59 AM said...

Email Subscriber!

Elena G on March 12, 2010 at 7:45 AM said...

Follow @active_ion on Twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/spelena/status/10377137947
elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown on March 15, 2010 at 9:24 AM said...

I like that we'd be able to clean off our granite countertops without chemical residue.

Susan Margaret on March 15, 2010 at 8:13 PM said...

I think what I would appreciate is the Sanitizing capabilities because we need it in our house!

charmtime at gmail dot com

Susan Margaret on March 15, 2010 at 8:13 PM said...

I subscribe to your email (charmtime at gmail dot com)

Susan Margaret on March 15, 2010 at 8:13 PM said...

I am following you on Blogger (Susan Margaret) charmtime at gmail dot com

Susan Margaret on March 15, 2010 at 8:14 PM said...

I am a Facebook Fan (charmtime at gmail dot com) and posted on your wall

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:13 AM said...

I think my favorite feature is the bacteria killing sanitation. And without chemicals!!
Thanks for the entry
TonyaMCrain[at] aol.com

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:18 AM said...

I'm a new follower:
A Family Completed

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:19 AM said...

FB Fan and left message:
Tonya Crain

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:21 AM said...

FB fan of Activelon and left comment:
Tonya Crain

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:23 AM said...

Twitter follower: Mom2LinzNOkie and tweeted
http://twitter.com/Mom2LinzNOkie/status/10579120920

A Family Completed... on March 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM said...

following @active_ion on twitter and tweeted:
http://twitter.com/Mom2LinzNOkie/status/10579183989

Unknown on March 16, 2010 at 12:02 PM said...

I subscribed to your email updates; I like the idea of sanitizing fabric too.

Unknown on March 18, 2010 at 9:49 AM said...

I haven't tried it but the idea seems awesome. No replaceable parts, no consumables (but tap water), no harmful residues - unbeatable.

Unknown on March 19, 2010 at 5:30 PM said...

Well I love two things, I love that there are no chemicals because I have little ones and I love that you do not have to replace anything! Fantastic!

couponscoop@gmail.com

Unknown on March 19, 2010 at 5:31 PM said...

I follow via google reader

couponscoop@gmail.com

Unknown on March 19, 2010 at 5:33 PM said...

I follow on blogger

couponscoop@gmail.com

Darcie K. on March 19, 2010 at 8:15 PM said...

I love that you can use it as a sanitizer
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on March 19, 2010 at 8:15 PM said...

I subscribe via email
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on March 19, 2010 at 8:17 PM said...

I follow via blogger (Darcie K.)
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on March 19, 2010 at 8:17 PM said...

I am a facebook fan and I left a comment!
dmkayes@gmail.com

Darcie K. on March 19, 2010 at 8:19 PM said...

Facebook fan of Activeion and I left them a comment
dmkayes@gmail.com

Lauren Wayne on March 21, 2010 at 1:07 AM said...

My favorite aspect is that it's non-toxic and uses only tap water. I try to use only green cleaning products since my 2-year-old likes to help me clean.

Lauren Wayne on March 21, 2010 at 1:08 AM said...

I follow your blog on Blogger.

mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne on March 21, 2010 at 1:10 AM said...

(I forgot to say: My Blogger name is Lauren @ Hobo Mama.)

I am a Facebook fan & left a comment (Lauren Wayne).



mail {at} HoboMama.com

Lauren Wayne on March 21, 2010 at 1:11 AM said...

I am an ActiveIon Facebook fan & left a comment (Lauren Wayne).



mail {at} HoboMama.com

moushka on March 21, 2010 at 9:03 AM said...

Activeion Facebook Fan, left comment!
Marcelle Carson

moushka on March 21, 2010 at 9:06 AM said...

Facebook fan of Bonggamom!

Wrote on wall that I joined the ionator HOM giveaway.

moushka on March 21, 2010 at 9:09 AM said...

Follow bonggafinds on Twitter AND tweeted!
http://twitter.com/mmoushka/status/10826693132

moushka on March 21, 2010 at 9:11 AM said...

Follow active_ion on Twitter AND tweeted!
http://twitter.com/mmoushka/status/10826798405

Shelley on March 22, 2010 at 11:04 AM said...

I'm very impressed that it will sanitize...very important factor for me.

mdlangmead at gmail dot com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:06 AM said...

Wow! I love so many things about this! I love that you don't use any chemicals (I have an almost 2 year old so I don't like using chemicals in the house) and it can clean pretty much everything...even fabrics! I'm hoping it can even get some of the crayon marks my son has lovely drawn in our home! =) Thanks for the chance!
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Shelley on March 22, 2010 at 11:06 AM said...

I follow your blog! Shelley's Swag

mdlangmead at gmail dot com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:07 AM said...

I follow your blog (sweetpea08)
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:10 AM said...

I'm a Facebook fan of yours and I wrote on your wall (Rachel Honsvick DeMille)
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:11 AM said...

I'm a Facebook fan of Activelon and I wrote on their wall saying you sent me (Rachel Honsvick DeMille)
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:12 AM said...

I follow you on Twitter and Tweeted! http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/10883985066
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Unknown on March 22, 2010 at 11:14 AM said...

I follow activeIon on Twitter and Tweeted! http://twitter.com/tobinsmommy08/status/10884030843
rachel_demille@yahoo.com

Nicole Brady on March 22, 2010 at 11:38 AM said...

I like that it's safe on granite. I'm getting ready to have new counters installed and have been concerned with how to clean them!

sahmtoo at gmail dot com

Nicole Brady on March 22, 2010 at 11:39 AM said...

I follow you in blogger.

Profile name: Nicole
The picture is of my daughters in red outfits. Can't miss 'em! :)

Anonymous said...

I could use it to clean the grout in my tile on my countertops.

Anonymous said...

I have subscribed to your e-mail.

Anonymous said...

I am following you on blogger.

Anonymous said...

I am a fan of yours on facebook.

Anonymous said...

I am a Fan of Activelon on Facebook.

Anonymous said...

I am following you on twitter and I sent a tweet about your giveaway.
@superglutenfree

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees on March 22, 2010 at 11:54 AM said...

I love that it is eco-friendly

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees on March 22, 2010 at 11:55 AM said...

I follow your blog with GFC as Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees on March 22, 2010 at 11:57 AM said...

I follow you on Twitter @MWYT

Scarlet of Moms Wear Your Tees on March 22, 2010 at 12:01 PM said...

I followed them on Twitter @MWYT and I tweeted http://twitter.com/MWYT/status/10885853849

Kimberlee said...

The feature I love most is that it works with tap water and no chemicals. I have children and they love helping clean!
chyler44@yahoo.com

Clueless_Mama on March 22, 2010 at 9:45 PM said...

I love that it kills 99.99% of bacteria. I could use that in my house.

Clueless_Mama on March 22, 2010 at 9:45 PM said...

I became a fan on facebook. laurie rhoten cooper

Clueless_Mama on March 22, 2010 at 9:47 PM said...

I follow you on blogger as clueless mama

Clueless_Mama on March 22, 2010 at 9:51 PM said...

Tweeted the giveaway and follow you clueless_mama

kacismom on March 22, 2010 at 10:04 PM said...

My favorite feature is that it can be used anywhere and is chemical free

kacismom on March 22, 2010 at 10:06 PM said...

I am following on blogger as kacismom . I forgot on my last comment to leave my email llslk1969 at gmail dot com

kacismom on March 22, 2010 at 10:09 PM said...

Please don't count this entry, but I wanted you to know that Linda is me. I just signed up for blogger for this giveaway and am trying to figure it out. Thanks so much for the chance to win this. So I am Linda and Kacismom. Hope you understand.

Unknown on March 23, 2010 at 12:53 AM said...

I love that there's an effective, chemical-free cleaning option like this!

Unknown on March 23, 2010 at 12:54 AM said...

I subscribe by email (angieballard@insightbb.com)

Unknown on March 23, 2010 at 12:56 AM said...

I follow (AngieB)

Unknown on March 23, 2010 at 12:59 AM said...

I'm your fan on Facebook (angie ballard)

Unknown on March 23, 2010 at 1:00 AM said...

I'm a fan of ActiveIon on Facebook (angie ballard)

Anonymous said...

So....I've been waiting a week now...are you ever going to reveal who won, or did no one win? Just wondering why I wasted my time if I never even find out who wins the product. You need to do something like a weekly post of winners so people believe you actually give your stuff away.

bonggamom on March 29, 2010 at 9:10 PM said...

To the previous commenter,

I post the winner's name on the comments section of each giveaway as soon as the winner confirms acceptance. Sometimes this takes a while because:

1) I don't always get around to contacting the winner the second after I draw the winner's name;

2) I give the winner 48 hours to respond;

3) If they don't respond I pick an alternate winner and give him/her 48 hours to respond;

4) And so on.


This is basically the situation with this giveaway: I'm still waiting on a confirmation. My giveaway rules do state that I'm not liable for incorrect email addresses or my winner notification emails getting rerouted to spam.

Finally, I don't always get around to posting the winner's name the second after I receive the winner's response. I think most people accept and understand that things like schoolyard volunteering, library duty, soccer practice and cooking dinner sometimes get in the way.

Once again, I will post the winner's name here after I get his/her confirmation. Thank you for your understanding.

bonggamom on March 30, 2010 at 5:21 PM said...

We have a winner: #62, Lauren @Hobo Mama! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

I didn't mean my comment to sound as snarky as it appears you took it. I guess I was just wondering why it was taking so long; I like to hear who wins and I feel often like giveaway blogs are hoaxes to get contact info. Sorry I upset you, and of course you wouldn't be liable for incorrect e-mail addys, etc. And I know life gets in the way of life, however this is also a way you make money and obtain freebies, so I understand less if you delay finding a winner as so many people are waiting.
Congrats Lauren!

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