Super-concentrated cleaning supplies have impressive potency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability benefits. When it comes to comparing super-concentrates against ready-to-use cleaners, a quart does not equal a quart.
Two critical factors in reducing costs are dilution ratios and dilution yield.
When evaluating a bid sheet, a gallon of cleaner that costs $20.00 may seem like a better deal than a gallon of cleaner that costs $75.00. But without information on whether each cleaner is ready-to-use or super-concentrated, Purchasers and Operations Managers unnecessarily leave a lot of lost revenue on the table.
Before diving into Dilution Yield, it’s crucial to understand what super-concentrated, dilutable cleaning products are, especially the ones made by our team at Brulin.
These solutions are, as their name suggests, highly concentrated versions of typical cleaning products. Unlike ready-to-use cleaners, they’re diluted with water on-site for facility cleaning—turning a single ounce of cleaner into a gallon of product.
They offer an effective, often more eco-friendly option because they require less packaging and reduce transport emissions due to their compact size.
The concentration level indicates the product’s strength. This dilution process reduces the potency of the cleaner to a safe, usable level. The ratio listed on these products, such as 1:64, 1:128, 1:256, 1:512, and even 1:1024, is the dilution ratio.
The dilution ratio is the amount of concentrated product you need to mix with water. For example, a 1:128 dilution ratio means you need to mix one ounce of the concentrated cleaner with 128 ounces of water to yield a gallon of product.
Similarly, a ratio of 1:256 requires only half an ounce of concentrated cleaner mixed with 128 ounces of water to yield a gallon.
In addition, a cleaner with a dilution ratio of 1:512 or 1:1024 requires a mere fraction of an ounce to yield a gallon. This is substantial, as it means an entire quart of that cleaning solution can last an incredibly long time, requiring less product to be re-purchased overall.
Now, let’s explore the concept of Dilution Yield. Essentially, the term “Dilution Yield” refers to the total volume of usable cleaning solution you get after diluting the super-concentrated cleaner as directed.
Consider a super-concentrated product with a dilution ratio of 1:64.
In this example, suppose you have 1 gallon of this product. When diluted correctly on-site, you end up with 64 gallons of ready-to-use cleaning solution. That’s your Dilution Yield – the total amount of cleaning solution you can produce from a container of the concentrated product.
Similarly, if you have a gallon of a product with a dilution ratio of 1:128, the Dilution Yield would be 128 gallons. With a gallon of product with a dilution ratio of 1:256, it would produce 256 gallons.
Then you have super-concentrated products with significantly higher dilution yields than other. That’s Brulin’s specialty. For instance, a gallon of our products with a dilution ration of 1:512 yields 512 gallons. A product with a ratio of 1:1024 would produce 1024 gallons before you needed to re-order another single gallon of the super-concentrated cleaner again.
Understanding Dilution Yield is crucial for several reasons, each of which has significant implications for both business operators and the environment.
While a gallon of super-concentrated cleaner might initially seem expensive, a closer examination reveals a much different story.
When you calculate the Dilution Yield, you often find that the cost per usable gallon is significantly lower than ready-to-use products.
For instance, if a gallon of concentrated cleaner costs $50 and has a dilution ratio of 1:64, it can create 64 gallons of usable product. This translates to a cost of less than $1 per gallon—far lower than most ready-to-use alternatives.
This story isn’t often told on the bid sheet. Purchasing teams and Operations Managers who recognize the core difference end up saving significantly reducing their operation expenses.
Understanding Dilution Yield allows businesses to accurately gauge the true value of the product they are purchasing. Smart planners optimize their spending on facility cleaning and maintenance efforts.
Understanding Dilution Yield aids tremendously in inventory management. Facilities like hospitals, schools, and grocery stores, for example, use and manage cleaning supplies in large quantities.
Knowing how much usable product you can get from a certain amount of concentrate helps predict supply needs and can prevent over-ordering or running short. With this information, Purchasing teams and Operations Managers have the right data to set and control costs long-term.
For example, if a hospital uses about 10 gallons of a specific cleaner per week and they are purchasing one of Brulin’s super-concentrated cleaners with a dilution ratio of 1:128, a single gallon of concentrate will yield 128 gallons of usable product. This allows the hospital to determine that they only need to purchase one gallon of the concentrated product every twelve weeks, cutting costs.
The ability to manage inventory in this way helps both the Purchasers and Operations Managers set, control, and predict costs, thereby improving the budgeting and procurement process.
Another significant reason for understanding Dilution Yield is its impact on a company’s sustainability statement.
Switching to super-concentrated products drastically reduces packaging waste and transport emissions. The higher the dilution ratio, the less product is shipped per order, reducing the overall packaging material needed.
Additionally, transporting concentrated products is more carbon-efficient than transporting larger volumes of ready-to-use products. By choosing super-concentrated products, businesses are not just saving money on freight but also positively contributing to environmental conservation. This opens avenues for tax incentives and credits, further aiding in a company’s retained revenue.
Dilution Yield, although a simple concept, plays a fundamental role in cost savings, effective inventory management, and sustainability. It’s a testament to how understanding the true value of everyday products can lead to wider benefits.
Super-concentrated cleaning products offer a plethora of benefits, but they require a thorough understanding of concepts like Dilution Yield to leverage them in business plans effectively. By understanding this term, Purchasing teams and Operations Managers can maximize the value of their purchases, manage inventory better, and ensure the safe, efficient use of well-made cleaning solutions.
At the same time, superior, super-concentrated cleaning products lower a business’s Total Cost Of Operations in more ways than purchase price alone. Switching to more efficient chemistries lowers wear and tear on cleaning equipment, such as expensive auto scrubbers, and increases the lifespan of equipment overall.
Better products also lead to cost reductions from less frequent cleaning needs. Operations and Facility Managers save significant sums of money on maintenance labor costs. For Building Service Contractors, these savings mean more clients are serviced with leaner teams.
Our dedicated team of facility operations advisors help businesses lower their Total Cost of Operations, reduce business expenses, and plan long-term TCO reduction strategies.
Reaching out to our team starts an easy process toward significant savings. That’s why businesses with some of the largest brick-and-mortar footprints in the world trust our teams to implement the long-term changes they need to succeed.