Dilution Ratios Explained: Getting the Most From Cleaning Concentrates
Most industrial cleaners are sold as concentrates. Used at the right dilution, a drum of concentrate does the work of many drums of ready-to-use product. Used too strong, it wastes money, can damage surfaces and is harder to rinse; used too weak, it simply does not clean.
Reading a dilution ratio
A ratio of 1:10 means one part concentrate to ten parts water — for example 1 litre of product in 10 litres of water, giving 11 litres of solution. Some data sheets give a percentage instead: 10% means 10 litres of product made up to 100 litres of solution. Check which one your data sheet uses; they are not quite the same thing.
Start at the recommended dilution
Data sheets usually give a range, such as 1:5 for heavy soil and 1:40 for light cleaning. Start in the middle on a test area. Only make it stronger if the test fails — and first check whether one of the other four factors would fix it more cheaply.
The other four factors
- Time: give the product its contact time before you scrub or rinse. Most failed jobs are rinsed too soon.
- Temperature: warm solutions clean much faster, especially on grease and fats. Some products are made for hot use; check the data sheet before heating.
- Agitation: brushing, pressure washing, circulation or ultrasonics do part of the work for you.
- Rinsing: rinse thoroughly. Residue left behind attracts new dirt and, with acids, keeps attacking the metal.
Some products are used neat
Gels and pastes (such as an oven cleaner), electrical cleaners and some rust removers are designed to be used as supplied. Descalers like descaling liquid are diluted according to how much scale there is, and are often circulated. Coil cleaners are usually sprayed on at a set dilution and rinsed. The data sheet is the reference.
Safety basics
- Add concentrate to water, not water to concentrate, especially with acids and strong alkalis.
- Never mix different cleaners. Acid products and chlorine-based products release toxic gas together.
- Label every spray bottle and bucket you make up.
- Wear the gloves and eye protection listed on the MSDS.
Not sure what dilution to use? Send us the product part number and the job and we will tell you where to start.