Dilution Dilema: The importance of properly formulating your cleaning solutions

How many times have you been adding a cleaning solution to a bucket or machine and thought, "I'll add a little extra so it works twice as good?" I know we've all been there, but when it comes to chemicals used in commercial cleaning, our philosophy should be more "measure twice, cut once" than "the more the merrier." Let's dive deeper into why proper dilution matters, the issues improperly mixed chemicals can cause, and what you can do to make sure your solutions are consistently measured. 

The Science Behind Dilution

Simply put, chemicals used at the proper dilution just work better. Scientists have formulated concentrates with calculated usages to give you the best value for your money as well as the best results for the applicable job. Before they even reach the shelf, all cleaning chemicals have had a chemist behind the scenes spending many months formulating, mixing, documenting, testing and duplicating results to ensure their product is safe and effective to use as labeled.

Next, let's think about saturation point for a moment. We may have to go way back in our minds to that high school chemistry class to remember what happens during an experiment combining beakers of water and sugar. As you began to combine them, if you were below the saturation point, [the amount of water (solvent) that could readily accept the sugar (solute)], the sugar easily dissolved (solution created!). Once you reached the saturation point, the sugar just swirled around in the beaker. If you introduce the variable of temperature, the saturation point changes. This is why it's much harder to sweeten your iced tea than it is to sweeten it as it brews. Whew! So what does all that mean? Are you likely to reach the actual saturation point with chemicals as you prepare them? Probably not, but this is a example highlights the importance of understanding the science behind proper formulation, mixing and properties of chemistry. 

Problems with Improper Dilution

After almost 35 years of service in the Metro Atlanta area, we've seen so many things that definitely fall on the what not to do list of commercial cleaning. We've seen people mix chemical by "guesstimating" how much they think they need, determining if the solution smells like it has enough chemical, by what color the solution is and even using concentrate straight out of the bottle with no water. Below are some of the reasons why all of these methods should be abandoned. 

• Overspending- Overuse of chemicals whether by mixing up too much for a job or not mixing properly can be costly. It's literally money down the drain! Make the most out of the investment in your cleaning supplies to ensure you are using them properly and aren't costing yourself even more by having to revisit tasks due to residue and re-soiling (see below). 
• Health Hazards-  By not measuring your chemical properly, you could be exposing yourself, your employees or a building's occupants to respiratory or skin contact health hazards and even increased slip and fall hazards. Every chemical has a listed dilution level, whether any area needs to be ventilated and if a rinse is required after use. A higher concentrated formula than recommended can cause illness, injury and even potentially open you to legal liability. Additionally, dilution is especially important for disinfectants as they have a very specific range and application in which they are effective against listed pathogens. Failure to follow this guidelines can lead to outbreaks of disease and infection particularly in healthcare settings. 
• Residue and Re-soiling- Over diluted chemicals lead to soapy residue left on surfaces. This residue can cause dullness, streaking, and even lead to quick re-soiling. Re-soiling is caused by sticky chemical residue attracting dirt and grime to a surface. This also increases labor costs as return visits are needed to address these stains. 
• Damage- Permanent damage to flooring, mirrors, fixtures and other surfaces can occur from chemicals that are too strong or concentrates aren't diluted. These can be costly and because this practice neglects to use products as labeled, are typically not covered by insurance claims. 
• Ineffective Cleaning- Whether a solution is under diluted or over diluted, it will not clean effectively. It's important to read the label to know if a product is RTU (ready to use) and requires no added water or is a concentrate. Understanding the intended use and expectations for what a chemical is designed to do will yield the best results and ensure a properly cleaned facility. 

Tools for Successful Measurements

Here at America's 1st Maintenance, we have a variety of options to help measure and dilution your cleaning solutions properly and consistently. Let's explore those options starting with the basics and moving up to our most technologically advanced configurations.

• Use a Measuring cup, spray bottle with graduation marks or proportioner for quick and accurate measuring on the go. This is a great option for small volume usage or quickly filling up a mop bucket. 
• To pre-mix and store chemical, a 5 gallon spigot container is a great tool to have on the shelf. It makes bulk mixing in batches easy so that you can refill your spray bottles when cleaning on the go. 
• A chemical mixing station like the Betco Fastdraw gives you complete control over your costs and dispensing by offering a closed chemical system. This is a great option if you have dedicated wall space and water hookup as you can easily store and fill four different products. Whether you are filling a mop bucket, auto scrubber or a quart bottle, this station can handle a wide variety of cleaning tasks. We also offer dispensing stations to work with gallons, pails and drums. Contact us today for a customized configuration based on your specific cleaning needs. 
• Auto scrubbers that can meter chemicals as they scrub, like the ECOFlex options offered by Nilfisk,  are the best way to clean your floors. No more soapy residue, no more wasted money on a solution tank full of unused chemical. These machines also offer the flexibility to switch between cleaning tasks/chemicals without having to stop to empty and refill your machine. Simply swap out your chemical cartridge, adjust your desired dilution and continue cleaning. Learn more about this technology available on both Clarke and Advance scrubbers here:

For more information on figuring dilution ratios and calculations, visit our FYI page for our calculator. Always consult a products label instructions as well as SDS for full usage guidelines and precautions.

Commercial Cleaning Dilution Glossary

Dilution
The process of mixing a concentrated cleaning product with water at the correct ratio so it performs exactly as intended.

Proper Dilution
Using cleaning chemicals according to label instructions to achieve the best cleaning results, protect surfaces, and control costs.

Concentrate
A highly effective cleaning product designed to be mixed with water. Concentrates offer value—but only when measured correctly.

RTU (Ready-to-Use)
A product that requires no dilution. RTU chemicals should be used straight from the container—no added water.

Improper Dilution
When too much or too little chemical is used. This can lead to wasted product, poor cleaning results, surface damage, or safety concerns.

Saturation Point
The point at which a liquid can no longer dissolve additional product. While uncommon in day-to-day cleaning, it highlights why simply adding “more” doesn’t improve performance.

Pre-Mixing
Preparing larger batches of diluted product ahead of time to save labor and ensure consistency.

Chemical Mixing Station
A dedicated, wall-mounted system that delivers accurate dilution while improving safety and cost control.

Closed Chemical System
A dispensing setup that limits chemical handling, reduces exposure, and ensures consistent results every time.

Chemical Metering
Technology that precisely controls chemical usage during cleaning to reduce waste and eliminate residue.

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