Cleaning Chemical Dilution Ratios
Getting dilution ratios right is essential for effective cleaning, cost control and safety. Too concentrated wastes product and may damage surfaces; too dilute and the cleaning solution will not work properly. This reference covers the most common dilution ratios and how to convert them to practical measurements.
Common Dilution Ratios
A dilution ratio of 1:10 means 1 part chemical to 10 parts water (11 parts total). The table below shows ml of chemical needed per litre of total solution and per standard bucket sizes.
| Ratio | ml per litre | ml per 5L bucket | ml per 10L bucket | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neat (undiluted) | 1000 | 5000 | 10000 | Heavy degreasing, drain unblockers |
| 1:1 | 500 | 2500 | 5000 | Oven cleaners, heavy-duty degreasers |
| 1:3 | 250 | 1250 | 2500 | Stubborn stains, grout cleaning |
| 1:5 | 167 | 833 | 1667 | Kitchen degreasing, washroom sanitiser |
| 1:10 | 91 | 455 | 909 | General purpose cleaning, disinfecting |
| 1:20 | 48 | 238 | 476 | Floor mopping, surface wiping |
| 1:30 | 32 | 161 | 323 | Light-duty floor cleaning |
| 1:40 | 24 | 122 | 244 | Spray-and-wipe cleaning |
| 1:50 | 20 | 98 | 196 | Window cleaning, light mopping |
| 1:100 | 10 | 50 | 99 | Rinse-aid solutions, very light cleaning |
| 1:200 | 5 | 25 | 50 | Sanitiser final rinse, odour neutraliser |
ml per litre is calculated as: 1000 ÷ (ratio + 1). For example, 1:10 = 1000 ÷ 11 = 91 ml per litre.
Bleach Dilution (Sodium Hypochlorite)
Household bleach is typically sold at around 3–5% sodium hypochlorite. For general disinfection, a 1000 ppm (0.1%) solution is recommended by the NHS. Here are common dilutions for standard household bleach (~5%):
| Purpose | Target ppm | Ratio (5% bleach) | ml per litre of water |
|---|---|---|---|
| General surface disinfection | 1000 ppm | 1:49 | 20 ml |
| Blood/body fluid spills | 10,000 ppm | 1:4 | 200 ml |
| Water purification (emergency) | 2–4 ppm | — | 2 drops per litre |
Dilution Calculator
Use our interactive tool to calculate exact quantities for any ratio and container size:
- Chemical Dilution Calculator — calculate chemical and water quantities for any dilution ratio
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on the product label. Dilution ratios vary between brands and formulations. Never mix different cleaning chemicals together. Wear appropriate PPE when handling concentrated chemicals.