[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Concentrates vs. ready to use cleaning solutions which is better? Are the consistencies of concentrates the same for homeowners as those of a professional cleaner? Do you save money when you mix solutions? And does topping off your supplies change the chemistry?
We Ask a House Cleaner about all-purpose cleaners, degreasers, and other favorite concentrates.
Angela Brown, The House Cleaning Guru says it’s a waste if you don’t do daily inventory. And if you do make your own cleaning supplies if you don’t follow directions.
Today’s show sponsors are Savvy Cleaner Training, My Cleaning Connection, and HouseCleaning360.com
Listen: Concentrates vs. Ready to Use?
Watch: Concentrates vs. Ready to Use?
Hey there, I’m Angela Brown, and this is Ask a House Cleaner. This is a show where you get to ask a house cleaning question, and I get to help you find an answer.
Question: Concentrates vs. Ready to Use?
Hi, Angela. I was wondering what your takes are on concentrates as opposed to ready-to-use cleaners? What is easier when you’re cleaning stuff is all kept in the back of the car, like the trunk.
Do you find that there’s a lot of waste when people use concentrates?
Alrighty, that is an excellent question, concentrates versus ready-to-use cleaning solutions. Well, the good news is I think that there’s a use for both.
Concentrates Are Not the Norm for Homeowners
The typical use of ready-to-use products is for homeowners. Homeowners want to open their bathroom cupboard. They want to pull out a spray bottle, and bam; they spray stuff and they clean it up and they’re done.
Concentrates Are for Professional House Cleaners
Now, you want to have ready-to-use products as a professional house cleaner at all times.
Even if you work from the trunk of your car, bring everything in at the end of the day. And carry no more with you than you need for that day’s cleaning and your backups.
Don’t Leave Any Cleaning Chemicals in Your Car Trunk
If you have lots of chemicals in the back of your car, the heat or the cold temperatures can change the chemistry of those products.
So, bring all your stuff inside and have some kind of a place to store it inside. Whether it’s a bathroom or a laundry room, or maybe it’s part of your kitchen.
During freezing temperatures, lots of tired house cleaners forget to bring in their supplies at the end of the day. The next morning when they show up to a job only to find frozen cleaning supplies. And how long does it take to thaw those out? Much longer than you want to spend when you’re hustling.
The dead heat of the summer is no place for cleaning supplies overnight either. Lots of house cleaners show up to work only to find their cleaning supplies evaporated in the heat.
Concentrates Can Save Lots of Money
But, yes, I do believe in using concentrates because they save lots of money for house cleaners. And I’m a big fan of saving money. The money you save is money in your pocket. Having access to money lets you make decisions to buy other things, or to reinvest back in your business.
I’m not a fan of running out and buying all ready-to-use products just because it’s convenient.
There are lots of things about the cleaning business that is not convenient, concentrates are one of them.
Get in the Habit of Doing Daily Inventory
At the end of every day do an inventory. Let’s say you’ve cleaned say two or three houses in a day.
You’ll find you have two inches of spray left in a bottle.
You don’t want to show up to tomorrow’s job with two inches of spray in a bottle, so you’ll want to top off your supplies.
Never Mix Concentrates in Your Spray Bottle
Have a bigger mixing jug that has the mixture in it where you used to mix your concentrate with water.
This gives you the proper dilution amount to just refill your spray bottle.
If you mix in your spray bottle you’ll have an inconsistent detergent that will cause streaking on glass and mirrors.
Label Your Spray Bottles
Color code the triggers to your spray bottles. And always keep the same solution assigned to that color. Example: Blue – glass cleaner, Red – all-purpose cleaner, White – Degreaser.
And then label the bottle itself. This is for your benefit, the benefit of your customer and your employees.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. You can use a magic marker to label the bottles or you can make fancy labels like you might see on a Pinterest page.
Where Do You Buy Cleaning Concentrates?
There are plenty of big box stores like Home Depot, Costco or Sam’s. And I’ve linked to some favorites from the Professional House Cleaners Group with links back to Amazon.
If you buy from Amazon you can read the online reviews, save a trip to the store and have it delivered free using your Prime account.
Always Follow the Mixing Instructions
The mixing or diluting instructions are on the labels of the solutions and if not, you can find them on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS.)
You want to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Going rogue and making up your own recipes can be toxic or fatal.
One girl I know mixed a cleaning solution with bleach to make the solution stronger. The fumes created by the mix were so strong she landed in the emergency room from inhalation.
Please, don’t be her.
Concentrates or Ready Made Cleaning Solutions?
It’s your personal preference. But if you’re in the cleaning business, concentrated solutions will save money in the long run.
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Resources For This Episode
Diversey 3063437 RTD #42 Crew Floor/Surface NA Cleaner – http://amzn.to/2sGCgIU
Diversey 4512767 WiWax Floor Cleaner, Commercial Strength Rubber Floor Cleaner – http://amzn.to/2HrttxT
Speed Cleaning Red Juice All Purpose Concentrate with Mixing Spray Bottle – http://amzn.to/2Hwb1nU
MRS MEYERS Multi-Surface Concentrate – http://amzn.to/2Cwvp4q
Diversey Profi Floor Cleaner & Degreaser – Gallon – http://amzn.to/2HtDIla
Legacy of Clean L.O.C. Multi-Purpose Cleaner – http://amzn.to/2Cv66zL
Thieves Household Cleaner by Young Living – http://amzn.to/2EE5e1v
Diversey Morning Mist Fast Neutral Disinfectant Cleaner – http://amzn.to/2CwphJD
doTERRA OnGuard Cleaner Concentrate – http://amzn.to/2BBeyAF
Basic H2 Organic Super Cleaning Concentrate – http://amzn.to/2BDDHL6
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My Cleaning Connection – Your hub for all things cleaning.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][product_category per_page=”12″ columns=”1″ orderby=”rand” order=”” category=”concentrates”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
