Diluting cleaning supplies can be tricky, and with so many different chemicals, it can be challenging to know where to start. Looking for answers online can be confusing, and your brain will soon begin swimming in ratios and numbers. Thankfully we have the answer. Read below as we explain step by step how to dilute cleaning solutions.
You should know diluting is required to have the best results after use. Regardless of the chemical or solution you use, if specified on the bottle’s label, you must dilute it. Some of these solutions are usually corrosive in their concentrated forms, which can lead to safety hazards if you inhale or touch them.
Chemicals can also be harsh on the items they are being used on. Therefore to dilute your cleaning solutions, you should start by;
UNDERSTANDING THE TYPE OF SOLUTION YOU HAVE
Not every solution requires a dilution. Cleaning solutions are divided mainly into Ready to use solutions and concentrated solutions. Ready to use means that you don’t need to dilute it, and it is sold in a safe form for immediate use. Products like this are also available for purchase on our site.
A concentrated solution, however, is where the work comes in. One thing you must never do is use a product like that without diluting it first.
But how do you know if a product is ready for use or concentrated?
If you are placing an order online, the product type of the solution is usually written in the description or the safety data and product sheet. If you are making a physical purchase, this should be available at the back of the container. If you’re unsure, please reach out to our friendly team at RapidClean, and we can help you.
CALCULATE DILUTION RATIO
It’s not a maths test, don’t get yourself all worked up. Proper ratio rates are a must when diluting your cleaning supplies perfectly and getting the expected result after using them. Still, there’s barely any calculation; you must, however, pay attention to two crucial points, the amount of water and the amount of the solution. RapidClean also sells product dilution measuring jugs to make the process as simple as possible.
The dilution ratio usually comes as two digits with a semicolon in between. For example, the dilution ratio for a glass cleaning solution is 8:1. The water ratio is generally on the left side of the colon, while that of the product is on the right side. This means you’re mixing eight parts of water and 1 part of the product.
At RapidClean, our products come in different sizes, so they differ in the quantities of solution they contain. Therefore, you can’t have the same dilution ratio for every product size. Dilution ratios are usually provided on the product’s label, so the problem for many people is calculating the correct amount of water and product to mix.
CALCULATING THE PROPER VOLUME OF WATER AND PRODUCT TO DILUTE
Let’s say you want to dilute a carpet shampoo in a 24-ounce spray bottle, and you have a dilution rate of a 5:1 ratio. All you have to do is:
– Take the 24-ounce to be your base of calculation. (Note: 24 isn’t a fixed number; your calculation’s base is always the volume of your cleaning solution or product.)
– Add the numbers 5 and 1 from your ratio together. (5+1=6).
– Divide the base of your calculation by the answer you got by adding the ratio. (24/6=4)
Whatever number you have after dividing it is one part of your solution. (i.e., to dilute this solution at 5:1, measure 4 ounces of the solution and pour it into the dilution container.) Now you have the volume of the product, and all you need is the volume of the water:
– To get the volume of water, you should minus the volume of product you will be diluting from the original volume of the product. (24-4=20).
– Whatever number you get is the correct volume of water to use in diluting your cleaning solution or product.
MY PRODUCT COMES IN LITRES. WHAT DO I DO?
Many products come in litres and gallons, which can be confusing when calculating the correct dilution volumes. But there’s an easy way to handle that problem; all you have to do is convert from litres to ounces, and you can do this by multiplying the volume of the litre by 33.814. (i.e. 5 litres= 5*33.814= 169 ounces).
You are multiplying by 33.184 because a single litre contains precisely that number of ounces.
Using the steps above, you can easily calculate the correct volumes of water and solution when diluting. To have the best result after using our products, it is necessary that you use the right ratio rates provided. If you don’t, you might add too much water, which renders your diluted solution inactive, or you may put too little and have unwanted results because your solution was too concentrated.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO YOUR SAFETY
Remember when we said some of the products were corrosive and could be harsh on the items you intend to use them on? Well, they can be harsh on your skin too, so it is crucial that you wear gloves before you start mixing to avoid spills or burns.
Another point to note when it comes to your safety is always to add the solution to water and not water to the solution. Doing it this way helps you avoid getting splashed by the solution when adding water.
WRAPPING UP
Now that you are armed with the details you need on diluting cleaning solutions to get the best results, we can’t wait to see what you do next, but we know you should start by visiting RapidClean.
We have different products that work for anything, ranging from bio stain and odour remover, urine remover, general-purpose floor cleaner, and even carpet shampoo! We didn’t just stop at cleaning supplies; we also have other unique products, and all it takes is a rapid click to take you where you can find everything you need.
