Understanding concentrated chemicals cost per use is essential because the upfront price of a chemical barrel tells you very little about what you will actually pay to clean a workshop floor, wash a vehicle or sanitise a surface. To compare products properly, you need to calculate the cost per litre of working solution, which depends on the product’s concentration and the dilution rate at which you use it. A barrel of highly concentrated traffic film remover used at a 1-3% solution delivers hundreds of litres of ready-to-use product, making it far more economical than a weaker alternative sold at a similar ticket price.

We write this guide because we see facilities managers and transport operators choosing products based on label price rather than true cost per use, and later discovering they are ordering twice as often and spending more per job. We supply cleaning and sanitising chemicals and automotive chemicals to workshops, transport depots, cleaning contractors and food production sites across East Anglia, and we provide this calculation framework to help trade buyers make informed procurement decisions.

Understanding Concentrated Chemicals Cost Per Use

A concentrated chemical is formulated to be diluted before use. The dilution rate is the ratio of concentrate to water in the final working solution. For example, a traffic film remover used at 1% dilution means one part concentrate to ninety-nine parts water. That single litre of concentrate produces one hundred litres of working solution.

When comparing two products, the one with the lower barrel price may actually cost you more per job if it is less concentrated. A 25-litre drum of a weaker product used neat or at a 10% dilution delivers far fewer litres of working solution than a 25-litre drum of concentrate used at 1%. The concentrated product will last longer, require fewer deliveries, occupy less warehouse space and reduce your packaging waste.

The Cost Per Litre Calculation

To calculate the true cost per litre of working solution, use this formula:

Cost per litre of working solution = (Price of container ÷ Volume of concentrate in container) × Dilution rate

Here is a worked example using a 25-litre barrel of traffic film remover:

• Barrel price: £100 (example only – we do not publish prices outside our Special Offers page)
• Volume: 25 litres of concentrate
• Dilution rate: 1% (1 part concentrate to 99 parts water)

Cost per litre of concentrate = £100 ÷ 25 = £4 per litre of concentrate

At 1% dilution, each litre of concentrate makes 100 litres of working solution, so:
Cost per litre of working solution = £4 × 0.01 = £0.04 per litre

That same barrel, if used at a 3% dilution (1 part concentrate to 32 parts water), produces approximately 833 litres of working solution, at a cost per litre of working solution of £0.12.

Comparing Products With Different Concentrations

When evaluating competing products, request the manufacturer’s recommended dilution rate for your specific application – vehicle washing, floor cleaning, sanitising or degreasing. Do not guess or estimate dilution rates, as using too weak a solution wastes time and delivers poor results, while using too strong a solution wastes product, increases chemical exposure risk and may damage surfaces.

Compare the cost per litre of working solution at the recommended dilution rate for each product. The product with the lowest cost per litre of working solution is usually the most economical, provided it performs to the standard you require. This is why we encourage customers to request samples for on-site trials before committing to bulk orders.

Hidden Costs and Total Cost of Ownership

Beyond the cost per litre of working solution, consider these factors:

• Storage space: concentrated products require less warehouse or stores capacity, freeing space for other stock
• Delivery frequency: a barrel that lasts three months instead of six weeks reduces administrative overhead and the risk of running out
• Handling and packaging waste: fewer barrels mean less time spent decanting, disposing of empties and managing deliveries
• Training and dilution accuracy: concentrated products require clear procedures and, in some cases, dosing equipment to ensure staff dilute correctly and consistently

We provide free staff training in safe and efficient chemical use and bespoke on-site cleaning procedures to help you get the dilution right every time, reducing waste and improving results.

COSHH and Safe Handling of Concentrated Products

Concentrated chemicals are often classified as hazardous substances and require a COSHH assessment under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. The assessment identifies the risks associated with storage, dilution and use, and sets out the control measures required to protect your team.

We provide free COSHH assessments for many of the products we supply, along with safety data sheets and handling guidance. When a product is diluted to its working strength, it is often far less hazardous than the concentrate, but the dilution process itself must be controlled – for example, by providing appropriate PPE, ventilation and spill kits, and by training staff not to add water to concentrate (which can cause splashing or heat generation in some formulations).

How to Request a Cost Comparison

If you are comparing products or considering switching supplier, contact us with the following information:

• The application (vehicle washing, floor cleaning, surface sanitising, degreasing)
• The surfaces or materials you are treating
• Your current product and dilution rate, if known
• Approximate monthly or annual usage

We can provide samples, technical data sheets, COSHH assessments and a cost-per-use comparison based on the recommended dilution rates for your application. Because we supply a range of brands and can source or have products formulated to order, we can often offer a more concentrated or better-suited alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know the correct dilution rate for a product?

The dilution rate should be stated on the product label, technical data sheet or safety data sheet. It will vary depending on the application – light soiling, heavy soiling, vehicle washing, floor mopping – so check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific use. Do not estimate or guess, as incorrect dilution affects performance, safety and cost. If the information is not clear, ask your supplier to confirm in writing.

Can I use a more concentrated product at a higher dilution to save money?

Only if the manufacturer confirms that the product will still perform effectively at that dilution for your application. Diluting beyond the recommended rate may leave residues, fail to remove soiling or fail to meet contact time and efficacy standards for sanitisers. Conversely, using a product at a lower dilution than necessary wastes concentrate and increases chemical exposure. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance and trial any changes before rolling them out across your site.

Are concentrated products more hazardous?

Concentrated products are often classified as hazardous in their undiluted form, but the working solution is usually much less hazardous once correctly diluted. The COSHH assessment will identify the risks at each stage – storage, dilution, use and disposal – and the control measures required. We provide free COSHH assessments and can advise on safe handling, PPE and spill response.

How much money can switching to a concentrated product save?

That depends on the product, your usage rate and the concentration difference. In some cases, switching from a ready-to-use product to a concentrate used at 1-3% dilution can reduce your cost per litre of working solution by 70% or more, while also cutting delivery frequency, storage space and packaging waste. Request a cost comparison and sample trial to quantify the saving for your operation.

Get a Cost Comparison and Free Sample

We supply concentrated cleaning, sanitising and automotive chemicals to workshops, transport depots, food production sites and cleaning contractors across East Anglia. We offer free delivery on orders over £50, free COSHH assessments, staff training in safe and efficient chemical use, and samples for on-site trial. Contact us on 01953 607093 option 2 or via our website to request a cost-per-use comparison, technical data sheets and a sample of the products you are considering.