Athena Cleanse

Athena Cleanse – Root Zone & Irrigation System Cleaner

Athena Cleanse is a specialist root zone and irrigation system treatment designed to help maintain clean growing environments, reduce mineral buildup and keep hydroponic equipment working efficiently.

Formulated using hypochlorous acid (HOCl), Athena Cleanse provides powerful oxidative properties in a mild, easy-to-use liquid solution. Produced through a controlled electrochemical process using salt and water, hypochlorous acid helps manage unwanted organic residues, mineral deposits and biofilm within irrigation systems and growing environments.

Whether you're using a recirculating hydroponic system, drip irrigation, coco coir or rockwool, Athena Cleanse can help maintain cleaner irrigation equipment and a more consistent root zone environment.

Suitable for use throughout the growing cycle when applied according to the manufacturer's recommendations, Athena Cleanse is particularly useful in systems where mineral deposits, blocked drippers and organic buildup can become ongoing problems.

Key Features & Benefits

• Hypochlorous acid formula: Uses the oxidative properties of HOCl to help manage unwanted organic residues and deposits.
• Cleaner root zone: Helps maintain a cleaner growing environment around plant roots.
• Reduces mineral buildup: Helps manage mineral scale and deposits within irrigation equipment and growing media.
• Supports irrigation efficiency: Regular maintenance can help reduce blocked drippers, restricted pipework and accumulated residues.
• Suitable for recirculating systems: Useful in DWC, RDWC and other hydroponic systems where water is continuously circulated.
• Helps manage biofilm: Oxidative properties can help control unwanted organic buildup within irrigation systems.
• Useful during flushing: Can be used to help reduce residual mineral deposits in growing media and irrigation equipment.
• Versatile application: Suitable for a range of manufacturer-recommended irrigation, propagation and equipment maintenance applications.
• Compatible with Athena feeding programmes: Designed to fit into the Athena nutrient range and growing system maintenance routines.

What Is Hypochlorous Acid?

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is an oxidising compound produced through an electrochemical process involving water and salt. It is widely used in carefully controlled formulations for cleaning, water treatment and hygiene applications.

Unlike conventional acidic descalers, the main action of hypochlorous acid comes from its oxidative properties. These properties allow it to react with certain organic compounds and unwanted residues.

In hydroponic growing systems, this can help manage organic buildup and maintain cleaner irrigation equipment when the product is used at the recommended concentrations.

Athena Cleanse has been developed specifically for horticultural applications, providing growers with a convenient way to incorporate hypochlorous acid into their system maintenance routines.

Why Use Athena Cleanse?

Over time, hydroponic and irrigation systems can accumulate mineral deposits, organic residues and biofilm. These deposits may develop inside reservoirs, pipework, pumps, filters and dripper heads, potentially affecting water flow and system performance.

Regular maintenance with Athena Cleanse can help reduce unwanted buildup and keep irrigation systems operating more consistently.

Clean irrigation equipment is particularly important in automated growing systems, where restricted water flow or blocked drippers can lead to uneven feeding and inconsistent moisture levels.

Athena Cleanse can also be useful in recirculating systems, where the same nutrient solution passes repeatedly through the reservoir, growing containers and irrigation equipment.

How to Use Athena Cleanse

Athena Cleanse can be used at different concentrations depending on the application and condition of the growing system.

Always measure accurately, follow the current manufacturer instructions and ensure the product is diluted correctly before use.

Athena Cleanse Dosage Guide

*These are the supplied manufacturer application rates. Foliar and surface treatments should only be carried out where supported by the current product label and applicable UK instructions. Test foliar applications on a small area first.

Regular Irrigation System Maintenance

Recommended dosage: 0.5–1.5ml per litre of water.

For ongoing system maintenance, Athena Cleanse can be added to irrigation water at the recommended dilution.

Regular use helps manage the accumulation of unwanted residues within reservoirs, irrigation lines, pumps and drippers. This is particularly useful for systems that operate continuously or use automated feeding schedules.

Maintaining clean irrigation equipment can help support consistent nutrient delivery and reduce the need for frequent manual cleaning.

Using Athena Cleanse in DWC & RDWC Systems

Deep Water Culture (DWC) and Recirculating Deep Water Culture (RDWC) systems require careful management of water quality, dissolved oxygen, nutrient concentrations and root zone conditions.

Because nutrient solution is continuously circulated, organic residues and deposits can accumulate in reservoirs, connecting pipework and other system components.

Athena Cleanse can be used as part of a regular maintenance programme to help manage unwanted buildup in these systems.

Its oxidative properties are particularly useful for growers maintaining clean, low-organic nutrient solutions.

Important: Athena Cleanse is not a substitute for adequate dissolved oxygen, correct water temperatures, good reservoir hygiene or appropriate nutrient management.

As an oxidising treatment, it may also be unsuitable for systems that rely on deliberately introduced beneficial microorganisms. Check compatibility before combining it with microbial inoculants or biological root treatments.

Athena Cleanse for Drip Irrigation Systems

Drip irrigation systems are especially vulnerable to deposits forming inside narrow irrigation lines and fine dripper heads.

Over time, mineral precipitation and organic residues can restrict water flow, potentially causing uneven irrigation between plants.

Using Athena Cleanse as part of a regular maintenance routine can help manage deposits and reduce the likelihood of buildup affecting irrigation performance.

For heavily blocked equipment, physical cleaning or replacement may still be necessary.

Athena Cleanse for Cuttings & Propagation

Manufacturer-listed dosage: 2.5ml per litre of water.

Athena Cleanse can be incorporated into suitable propagation and cloning system maintenance routines.

Clean propagation equipment is important because young plants and freshly taken cuttings can be particularly sensitive to poor water quality and unhygienic growing conditions.

The manufacturer also describes a diluted treatment for fresh cuttings. Always follow the current product instructions before applying directly to plant tissue, and avoid assuming that treatment will prevent disease or guarantee successful rooting.

Clean tools, suitable humidity, appropriate temperatures and good propagation practices remain essential for successful plant establishment.

Using Athena Cleanse During Flushing

Recommended dosage: 1.5–2.5ml per litre of water.

Athena Cleanse can be used during a system or growing media flush to help manage residual mineral deposits and unwanted buildup.

This may be useful when changing nutrient programmes, carrying out system maintenance or addressing excessive salt accumulation in a growing medium.

The treatment can be used during vegetative or flowering stages where appropriate, provided the application follows the manufacturer's recommendations.

For growing media with high salt concentrations, always monitor runoff EC and use an appropriate flushing procedure. Athena Cleanse does not replace the need to physically remove excess dissolved salts through irrigation and drainage.

Surface & Equipment Maintenance

Manufacturer-listed dilution: 95ml per litre of water.

Athena Cleanse is also described by the manufacturer for certain surface and equipment cleaning applications.

Maintaining clean cultivation areas, irrigation components, filters and equipment can help reduce unwanted residue accumulation and support efficient system operation.

Before using Athena Cleanse for surface cleaning, check the current product label for the intended application, suitable materials and any required precautions.

Please note: Do not assume that a horticultural cleaning product is approved as a disinfectant or biocide for every surface or application. Follow the applicable UK product instructions and never mix hypochlorous acid products with other cleaning chemicals.

Suitable Growing Systems

Athena Cleanse is suitable for a wide range of horticultural applications, including:

• Hydroponic growing systems
• Deep Water Culture (DWC)
• Recirculating Deep Water Culture (RDWC)
• Drip irrigation and automated feeding systems
• Coco coir growing systems
• Rockwool and other soilless substrates
• Propagation and cloning equipment
• Nutrient reservoirs, irrigation lines and filters

Tips for Best Results

• Follow the recommended dilution for your intended application.
• Use clean measuring equipment to prevent contamination.
• Never mix concentrated Cleanse directly with other concentrated fertilisers or cleaning chemicals.
• Check compatibility with biological additives and beneficial microorganisms.
• Monitor reservoir conditions, including temperature, pH, EC and dissolved oxygen where appropriate.
• Maintain clean irrigation lines, filters and reservoirs as part of a regular maintenance programme.
• Use appropriate protective equipment and follow the current product label.
• Store the product securely and away from incompatible chemicals.

Storage Instructions

Store Athena Cleanse in its original container with the lid securely closed. Keep away from direct sunlight, excessive heat and incompatible chemicals.

Follow the storage temperature and handling instructions printed on the current product label. Do not transfer into unlabelled containers.

Buy Athena Cleanse at GHEDirect

We stock a comprehensive range of Athena nutrients and additives, helping growers maintain healthy plants, clean irrigation systems and consistent growing environments.

Whether you're running a small hydroponic setup, a recirculating system or a larger automated irrigation installation, our experienced team is available to offer practical advice on nutrients, irrigation equipment and system maintenance.

Order online for fast UK delivery or visit The Greenhouse Effect in Milton Keynes to explore our range in store.