The cleaning chemicals your janitorial company uses every day come in various forms: ready-to-use, concentrated, and dilution control systems. Cleaning companies are using dilution control systems more and more every day. They see the value in having a system that not only mixes what they need for a specific job or building, but also mixes the chemical in the right dilution every time. This "proper mixing" not only saves money, but helps to ensure better cleaning results as the chemicals are always mixed correctly.



Dilution control systems have improved over the past few years and are now compact, easy to install and use, and some even have special features so you can easily fill buckets or auto scrubbers with whatever chemical you are mixing.

Most people think that if a little chemical works, than more will do the job quicker and better. However, using too strong of a solution can damage surfaces, while too weak of a solution may mean that employees have to work harder to get the results they're looking for. A dilution control system eliminates this problem as it takes out the "guesswork" and ensures that chemicals are mixed according to the manufacturer's specifications and not to an employee's preference.

Other advantages include:

1. Fewer spills. Chemical spills are a major source of the work injuries suffered by cleaning company employees. Instead of pouring chemical from a jug into a spray bottle, workers fill their bottles using dispensers, reducing the chance of spills.

2. Reduced waste not only in chemicals, but also in employee time. Workers spend less time mixing chemicals and when they are mixed to the right specifications they work better, therefore, less time is spent cleaning.

3. Less storage space needed. Chemicals used in dilution control systems are highly concentrated and take up much less space than the traditional one or five gallon product containers.

4. Overall better cleaning results as products are consistency mixed to the right strength. What matters the most is how clean your buildings are. Using properly mixed chemicals means better overall results, which makes your cleaning company look good!

5. Dispensing systems come in different types and sizes with some dispensing only one chemical while others can mix several different products. Some systems have built in backflow prevention. There are units that need only a cold water connection (no electricity needed!). Once set up, most systems need little maintenance. Prices vary depending on the type of system you buy.

Still not sure if a dilution control system is right for your cleaning company, but you want the ability to mix your cleaning chemicals as you need them? Many cleaning products come in concentrated form that allows you to mix up what you need - however, this is a problem as chemicals are not always mixed correctly. A solution to this problem is to buy chemicals in pre-measured pouches.

All you do is pour the packet contents into a specific sized container (such as 32 ounces) that contains water. There is no guesswork and no handling of the chemical as the pouches are poured directly into a spray container. Pre-measured pouches are convenient, easy to use and require little training for employees to understand how to mix them properly. One company that has a line of products in pre-measured packets is Rochester Midland. Their line of Enviro Care chemicals in packets includes glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaners and disinfectants.

What is the downside of a chemical control system? If you have a large building or a company with several buildings, you may need several systems in place. If employees have to travel too far to use them, it is easier for them to go to the nearest janitorial closet and mix up what they need.

A properly installed chemical dispensing system takes the guesswork out of mixing chemicals and saves your cleaning company time and money. Before you buy a dispenser make sure you understand how the system works and that it is suitable for your situation. If a dilution control system is not right for your cleaning company, you still have the option of using smaller, portable systems or pre-measured chemical packets. Using either type of system gives you greater control over your chemical use and helps to keep your supply costs down.

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