The Science Behind the Solutions: Solution #1

Solution #1 is a multi-component alkaline cleaner designed to destabilize mold fragments, mycotoxin–metal conjugates, and biofilm residues. It’s the base solution of the various #1 products (laundry, spray and foam) which are all refined to produce the specific characteristics necessary for each embodiment. Its effectiveness comes not from any single ingredient but from the synergy of alkaline salts, enzymes, chelators, surfactants, and trace essential oils. The stability of this system depends on a carefully controlled manufacturing process involving sequential mixing, pH control, and timed dissolution over a 24-hour period.

The foundation of Solution #1 is a blend of borax (sodium borate), washing soda (sodium carbonate), and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). These salts raise the pH into the alkaline range, which destabilizes fungal cell walls, denatures proteins, and weakens the polysaccharide structures of mold fragments. Borax and washing soda also provide mild chelation, particularly with divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium, which are often integral to microbial biofilms and toxin conjugates. Baking soda functions as a buffer, moderating the alkalinity to maintain stability while still contributing antimicrobial activity.

A mixture of proteases, amylases, lipases, and other hydrolytic enzymes complements the salts. These enzymes catalyze the degradation of proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids that make up mold debris, biofilms, and environmental residues. By breaking macromolecules into smaller fragments, enzymes reduce structural integrity and decrease the adhesion that allows particles to persist on surfaces or within porous materials. Enzyme activity also increases the accessibility of chelators and surfactants to embedded toxins.

Chelating agents in Solution #1 include the intrinsic effects of borax and carbonate salts, along with tetrasodium EDTA. These compounds sequester metal ions that would otherwise stabilize microbial fragments or serve as cofactors for enzymatic defenses. Metals such as iron and lead are also known to form complexes with mycotoxins; chelation disrupts these associations, reducing persistence and toxicity.

A minimal load of mild, non-ionic surfactant is included to reduce surface tension and improve wettability. This ensures that the solution spreads evenly across contaminated surfaces and interfaces, enhancing the contact and effectiveness of the alkaline salts, enzymes, and chelators without contributing foaming or residue.

Trace amounts of clove oil (eugenol-rich) and peppermint oil (menthol- and menthone-rich) are incorporated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Although present in extremely low concentration, they are evenly dispersed because they are introduced in conjunction with the non-ionic surfactant. This prevents separation, stabilizes the formulation, and allows the oils to contribute consistent antimicrobial activity without volatility or precipitation.

The synergy of these ingredients depends on their integration into a stable aqueous solution. Direct mixing of raw components would result in precipitation, enzyme denaturation, or phase separation (We know, because we tried!) Solution #1 requires controlled order of addition, specific pH adjustments, and temperature management. The full process takes approximately 24 hours, yielding a shelf-stable product in which salts, enzymes, chelators, surfactants, and oils remain active and compatible.

Solution #1 initiates the dismantling of mold residues and conjugate toxins by combining alkaline destabilization, enzymatic hydrolysis, metal chelation, surface tension reduction, and trace antimicrobial activity. Each mechanism is enhanced by the others, creating a formulation that acts comprehensively rather than piecemeal. Used as the first step in the system, it prepares the contaminated surface for subsequent neutralization and protective treatments.