Cleaning Chemical Dilution Ratios & Liquid Metric Conversion Tips

What does it really mean when you see that a dilution is 1:64, 64:1 or so many ounces of cleaning chemical per gallon? The proper way to show a dilution is how many parts of the concentrated product (usually 1) are to be diluted to how many parts of the dilutant or extender (usually water or a solvent). As an example, 1-ounce to a gallon (128-ounces) would be 1:128, not 128:1.

To convert dilution ratios to ounces per gallon divide 128 (the number of ounces per gallon) by the dilution ratio. For example, for a dilution rate of 1:32, the ounces per gallon would be determined by the calculation: 128 ÷ 32 = 4-ounces per gallon of water.
 
If given the ounces per gallon, calculate the dilution rate by dividing the concentrate ounce per gallon into 128. For example, if a product dilutes at 4-ounces per gallon, the calculation would be: 128 ÷ 4 = 32, or a dilution rate of 1:32.
 
One of the most common errors in figuring out how much diluted product will result from a certain ratio is forgetting to add the amount of the concentrate to the total. For example, 1-ounce of a product diluted at 1:64 makes 65-ounces, not 64. This includes not only the 64-ounces of dilutant, but also the original 1-ounce of concentrate.
 
For metric conversion, here are some key equivalents:
Liter = 33.8-ounces, 1.057-quarts or 0.264-gallon
Gallon = 3.784-liters
Quart = 0.946-liter

WAXIE Sanitary Maintenance Consultants can provide additional information regarding dilution control equipment and supplies. Contact us today at (800) 995-4466.