ZONO™ Disinfecting & Sanitizing Cabinets – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ZONO™ Disinfecting & Sanitizing Cabinet?

The ZONO™ Disinfecting and Sanitizing Cabinet is an enclosed, ozone-based system designed to disinfect and sanitize multiple items at once using on-demand ozone generated from oxygen. It is used as part of infection prevention programs across schools, childcare facilities, senior living communities, fitness and athletic environments, shared sleeping facilities, such as, prisons, and multiple bed facilities, such as, hotels, food handling operations, and government institutions.

ZONO™ disinfects and sanitizes common viruses and common bacteria on non-porous, semi-porous, and porous items without the use of liquid chemicals, sprays, wipes, or residues.
Learn more about the process on our How ZONO™ Works page.

2. What does it mean when ZONO™ says it “kills disease” or “kills contagious diseases”?

When referring to “kills disease” or “kills contagious diseases,” ZONO™ is describing its ability to inactivate or destroy common viruses and common bacteria that are responsible for contagious infections.

ZONO™ is both a disinfectant and a sanitizer, as defined by EPA guidelines:

To disinfect means to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces and kill 99.9% of the tested viruses.

To sanitize means to reduce microorganisms to levels considered safe from a public health standpoint and to kill 99.9% of the tested bacteria.

All claims are supported by independent laboratory testing and are surface-specific. Full definitions and testing context are explained on our Resources page.

3. What viruses has ZONO™ been tested against?

Independent laboratory testing has verified ZONO™ effectiveness against common viruses, including but not limited to:

• Norovirus
• Influenza A
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Testing was conducted on non-porous, semi-porous, and porous surfaces in accordance with EPA requirements for virucidal claims.
For full laboratory documentation, visit our Resources page.

4. What bacteria has ZONO™ been tested against?

ZONO™ has been independently tested and shown to sanitize common bacteria, including:

• Staphylococcus aureus
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Escherichia coli (E. coli)
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Salmonella enterica
• Shigella dysenteriae
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa

These sanitizing claims apply to tested surfaces and materials and are supported by EPA-recognized laboratory validation.

5. What types of items can be placed inside the ZONO™ Cabinet?

ZONO™ is designed to disinfect and sanitize a wide range of items, including:

• Toys and educational materials
• Athletic gear, helmets, pads, and uniforms
• PPE and fire-retardant PPE
• Electronics such as phones, tablets, headsets, and radios
• Medical and healthcare equipment
• Safety equipment including gloves, hard hats, and respirators
• Food handling tools and containers
• Paper documents and mixed-material items

Because ZONO™ operates as an enclosed cabinet, it can safely process mixed loads of items in a single cycle.
See industry-specific examples on our ZONO™ solutions pages for Schools & Childcare, Senior Living, Fitness & Athletics, Hospitality, and Cold Storage & Food Handling.

6. How does the ZONO™ disinfecting and sanitizing process work?

ZONO™ uses on-demand ozone generated from oxygen to disinfect and sanitize items inside an enclosed cabinet. During the cycle:

1. Oxygen (O₂) is drawn into the on-demand generator.
2. Oxygen is converted into ozone (O₃).
3. Ozone penetrates fabrics, padding, creases, and surfaces, interacting with microorganisms.
4. Ozone is safely converted back into oxygen at the end of the cycle.

This process eliminates the need for liquid chemicals, hot water, spraying, wiping, or rinsing. A full step-by-step explanation is available on our How ZONO™ Works document.

7. How long is a ZONO™ cycle?

Cycle times vary by cabinet model and application. ZONO™ offers multiple cabinet sizes designed to meet different operational needs.

Standard disinfecting and sanitizing cycles range from approximately 38 minutes, depending on the model and load type. Additional cycle options, such as drying or heat cycles, are available on select models.

For assistance selecting the correct cabinet and cycle configuration for your environment, contact us through our Shop ZONO™ Products or Contact page.

8. What ZONO™ cabinet models are available?

ZONO™ cabinets are available in multiple sizes to support different industries and throughput requirements, including:

• Compact countertop models
• Mid-size cabinets for moderate volume environments
• Large-capacity cabinets for high-volume facilities

Each model is engineered with the same core disinfecting and sanitizing technology and safety controls. Model specifications and capacity guidance are available through Shop ZONO™ Products or on our Resources page

9. What safety features are built into the ZONO™ Cabinet?

ZONO™ is designed with multiple redundant safety features to support safe operation in active environments, including:

• Magnetic door locks that prevent opening if ozone levels are not safe
• Internal and external ozone sensors that continuously monitor ozone levels
• Digital display panel indicating cabinet status and cycle progress
• Access code entry and green start button sequence to confirm safe operation
• Emergency stop buttons located inside and outside the cabinet
• Ozone-rated door gaskets creating an air-tight seal

These features are detailed in our Safety Features documentation that you can find on our Resources page.

10. Is ozone safe when used in the ZONO™ Cabinet?

ZONO™ uses ozone in a controlled, enclosed cabinet environment. Ozone levels are continuously monitored, and the system is designed to prevent exposure outside the cabinet.

External sensors monitor ozone levels down to OSHA-recognized thresholds, and the cabinet will automatically shut down ozone generation if unsafe levels are detected. Ozone is converted back into oxygen at the end of each cycle.

More information on safety controls and monitoring is available on our Safety Brochure.

11. How does ZONO™ support infection prevention programs?

ZONO™ is used as part of broader infection prevention strategies to reduce the spread of contagious infections by disinfecting and sanitizing high-touch and shared items.

By eliminating liquid chemicals and reducing manual handling steps, ZONO™ helps facilities maintain consistent hygiene standards while improving operational efficiency. Learn how ZONO™ integrates into real-world environments on our industry solution pages.

12. Is ZONO™ environmentally responsible?

Yes. ZONO™ is designed to support sustainability and environmental responsibility.

ZONO™:

• Uses oxygen to generate ozone on demand
• Eliminates the need for liquid chemical disinfectants
• Reduces water usage associated with traditional cleaning methods
• Produces no chemical residue or wastewater
• Converts ozone back into oxygen after each cycle

This approach helps reduce chemical storage, disposal, and environmental impact. More details are available on our Resources page.

13. Does ZONO™ replace traditional cleaning?

ZONO™ is designed to complement existing cleaning protocols, not replace basic cleaning when required. Items should be visibly clean before disinfecting or sanitizing.

ZONO™ enhances hygiene programs by addressing items that are difficult or time-consuming to clean using traditional methods.

14. Who uses ZONO™?

ZONO™ is used across a wide range of environments, including:

• Schools and childcare centers
• Senior living communities
• Fitness centers and athletic programs
• Hotels, spas, and resorts
• Food handling and cold storage operations
• Government agencies and institutional buyers
• Congregate living facilities
• Multiple bed facilities
• Shared sleeping facilities

Visit our Who We Serve page to explore use cases by industry.

15. How do I purchase a ZONO™ Cabinet?

ZONO™ cabinets are available through direct consultation to ensure the correct model and configuration for your specific environment and use case.

To request pricing, ask questions, or discuss your infection prevention needs, please contact us through our Contact page. You can also view available cabinet models and options on the Shop ZONO™ Products page.

16. How energy efficient is the ZONO™ disinfecting and sanitizing cycle?

ZONO™ cabinets are designed to provide effective disinfecting+ and sanitizing* while minimizing energy and resource use. During a standard 38-minute disinfecting and sanitizing cycle, the ZONO™ SC 1 and SC 2 cabinets use:

• Less than $0.03 of electricity per cycle
• Less than one ounce of distilled water
• No disposable towels, wipes, or chemical products

Items do not need to be rinsed, wiped, or dried after the cycle. Once the cycle is complete, items can be removed from the cabinet and used immediately.

This low-resource approach supports long-term sustainability while helping facilities reduce waste and operating costs. More information about ZONO™’s environmentally responsible design can be found on our Resources and Science and Preparedness pages.

17. Does ZONO™ reduce waste compared to traditional disinfecting methods?

Yes. ZONO™ is designed to significantly reduce waste commonly associated with traditional disinfecting and sanitizing methods.

Because ZONO™ does not rely on sprays, wipes, towels, or liquid chemical disinfectants, there is:

• No disposable cleaning waste
• No chemical runoff or residue
• No packaging waste from single-use cleaning products

ZONO™ also eliminates the need to rinse or dry items after a cycle, reducing water usage and labor. This makes it a practical solution for facilities seeking to improve infection prevention while supporting sustainability goals. Learn more about ZONO™’s operational advantages on our How ZONO™ Works page.

18. What are the energy requirements for ZONO™ heat and drying cycles?

ZONO™ offers optional energy-efficient heat and drying cycles on select cabinet models to support specialized use cases.

Optional Heat Cycle

Designed to kill lice, bedbugs, and their eggs, the heat cycle is available on the SC 1, SC 2, and SC 2 DD models:

• $0.39 of electricity per 90-minute cycle for SC 1 and SC 2
• $0.80 of electricity per 90-minute cycle for SC 2 DD

Items can be used immediately once the heat cycle is complete.

Optional Drying Cycle

Designed to dry damp gear and equipment, the drying cycle is available on the SC 2 and SC 2 DD models:

• $0.55 of electricity per 90-minute cycle for SC 2
• $0.80 of electricity per 90-minute cycle for SC 2 DD

Items can be removed and used immediately after the drying cycle finishes.

These optional cycles allow facilities to address additional hygiene and operational needs without significantly increasing energy consumption. For help selecting the right cabinet configuration, visit Shop ZONO™ Products or Contact us directly.

[1] All electrical cost estimates are based on the February 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average energy prices for the United States of $0.175 per kilowatt hour. This product is not subject to federal or state energy efficiency standards.