How to Dilute Concentrated Cleaning Chemicals

One of the biggest advantages of professional cleaning chemicals is that many products are supplied as concentrates. Rather than paying for ready-to-use products that are mostly water, concentrated chemicals allow you to adjust the strength depending on the task.

Using the correct dilution not only improves cleaning performance but also helps reduce product usage and overall cleaning costs.

At Trade Chem, several of our products are designed to be diluted according to the application, including our Foaming Wash, Industrial Strength Degreaser, and Citrus All Purpose Cleaner.


Trade Chem Foaming Wash

Our Foaming Wash is a concentrated vehicle shampoo formulated to safely remove dirt, road film and everyday grime while producing a rich foam that helps lift contaminants from the paint surface.

Recommended dilution rates are:

  • Bucket Wash: 20–50 mL per 10 litres of water
  • Foam Cannon: 50–150 mL per 1 litre bottle
  • Heavy Soiling: Up to 100 mL per 10 litres of water

Using more shampoo than required won't necessarily produce a cleaner vehicle. Following the recommended dilution provides excellent cleaning performance while making every container last longer.


Trade Chem Industrial Strength Degreaser

Industrial Strength Degreaser is designed to tackle grease, oil and grime on machinery, workshop floors, engine bays, tools and industrial equipment.

Recommended dilution rates are:

  • Heavy Duty Degreasing: 1 part product to 5 parts water
  • General Cleaning: 1 part product to 10 parts water

For routine cleaning, start with the general cleaning dilution and increase the concentration only when heavier contamination requires it.


Trade Chem Citrus All Purpose Cleaner

Our Citrus All Purpose Cleaner is a versatile concentrated cleaner suitable for commercial, industrial and automotive cleaning applications. It cuts through grease, oil and grime while remaining flexible enough for everything from light maintenance cleaning to heavy-duty jobs.

Recommended dilution rates are:

  • Light Cleaning: 1:30
  • General Cleaning: 1:10
  • Heavy Duty Cleaning: 1:5
  • Heavy Grease & Oil: 1:1

Selecting the correct dilution ensures you achieve the best balance between cleaning performance and product economy.


Why Correct Dilution Matters

Using concentrated products correctly offers several advantages:

  • Better value from every container.
  • Consistent cleaning performance.
  • Less product waste.
  • Lower cost per use.
  • The flexibility to tackle both light cleaning and heavy-duty applications with the same product.

It's a common misconception that using more chemical always produces better results. In reality, using the recommended dilution is usually the most effective and economical approach.


Trade Chem Tip

Every cleaning job is different. Light dust, road film and general maintenance usually require a much weaker solution than heavy grease or industrial contamination.

Always follow the dilution instructions on the product label and adjust only where appropriate for the level of soiling. This will help maximize cleaning performance while ensuring you get the most value from every bottle or drum.