Safety
Too strong can cause skin burns, breathing irritation and damage to surfaces. It's a COSHH risk.
Dilution Ratios Explained — Module 1
Module 1 of 3
Dilution Ratios Explained · Module 1
What Is a Dilution Ratio?
How to read a dilution ratio, why getting it right matters for safety, results and cost, and the different ways it's written.
- Free taster
- Module 1 of 3
- About 5 minutes
Free taster micro-course. This is a short introduction to the topic, not full professional training. For in-depth courses with assessments and certificates, see the CCMTec® Academy.
What you'll learn in this module
- What a dilution ratio is and how to read one
- Why correct dilution matters for safety, results and cost
- The different ways dilution is written on a label
What is a dilution ratio?
A dilution ratio tells you how much water to mix with the chemical concentrate. It's written as 1:10, 1:20, 1:100 and so on. In the usual UK cleaning format, the first number is the chemical and the second is the water.
So 1:10 means one part chemical to ten parts water, and 1:100 means one part chemical to one hundred parts water, which is a much weaker solution.
The bigger the second number, the weaker the solution
1:100 is much weaker than 1:10.
Why it matters
Getting the dilution wrong causes problems in three areas:
Results
Too weak, and the product may not remove soiling, kill germs or work as it should.
Cost
Too strong wastes expensive concentrate. Too weak means re-cleaning, which wastes time and product. Both cost you money.
Three ways dilution is written
You'll find the dilution rate on the product label or the manufacturer's product information sheet. It can be written in three ways:
As a ratio
One part chemical to twenty parts water.
As a percentage
The chemical makes up 5% of the finished solution.
As an amount per litre
How much concentrate to add for each litre.
These are close but not identical. For example, 1:20 works out at just under 5%. Module 2 shows you how to convert between them.
Follow the manufacturer's dilution rate. Don't guess.
The rate is set for safety and so the product works properly. If you're not sure how the label is written, check with the supplier before mixing.
Want to go further?
Our full Academy courses cover topics like this in real depth, with practical guidance, assessments and certificates.
Explore full coursesDisclaimer: This micro-course is a general introduction to dilution ratios for cleaning chemicals and is not a substitute for full professional training. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and current HSE guidance for your workplace.