Manufacturer Q&A Explores Dilution Control Issues

Ongoing labor shortages and staffing struggles prompt building service contractors (BSCs) to actively seek solutions that simplify onboarding processes and optimize productivity among their frontline cleaning teams. Advancements in dilution control and the implementation of pre-portioned chemicals could provide a solution. By streamlining training and routine cleaning tasks, properly portioned chemicals provide employees with an easy-to-use process that improves safety and overall cleaning efficiency. 

To address how dilution control responds to contract cleaning needs, Contracting Profits reached out to industry experts for feedback. 

What factors are driving the current trend of dilution control in the commercial cleaning industry? 

Brown—Labor challenges—such as high turnover and language barriers—make “simple-to-use” solutions attractive. BSCs are implementing products that can be easily used by anyone on their first day on the job. Additionally, mobile dispensing and pre-portioned chemicals typically have financial and sustainable advantages compared to ready-to-use (RTU) solutions. 

Gilliam—Worker shortages are a big driver. Everyone is being asked to cover more space with fewer people. Dilution control—specifically mobile dilution, such as pre-measured pouches—helps frontline teams work more efficiently, reduce wasted steps, and accomplish more in the same amount of time. Also, consistency matters now more than ever, and dilution control takes the guesswork out of mixing. 

Attanasio—The case for dilution control systems is traditionally made by the significant in-use cost per gallon/quart. Typically chemicals are less than one percent of a BSC’s operational spend, with labor up to 20 percent. So, the real question when it comes to dilution control is, “Are there wasted labor costs associated with travel time to-and-from wall-mounted dispensers?” If the answer is yes, then ready-to-dispense or RTU options are most likely going to have a bigger impact on cost control versus dilution control systems. 

SC Johnson—The largest factor driving the trend of dilution control over traditional RTU is by far the cost savings potential. In many instances, concentrates can be anywhere from 10 to 100 times more cost-effective than RTU solutions—but it is important to also factor in labor and maintenance costs associated with implementing concentration systems.

Everitt—There is a need for absolute reliability and accuracy of the use-dilution delivery system. The April 2025 issue of Sanitary Maintenance, a sister publication to Contracting Profits, published a survey of 10 hospitals. It revealed that 90 percent of the facilities had one or more malfunctioning dispensers—29 percent delivered lower-than-expected concentrations, and 14 percent delivered no detectable disinfectant at all. With concentrate packets or pods, the cleaning staff only has to measure the water correctly to get an accurate dilution. 

Why should BSCs adopt dilution control over their current chemical dispensing? What metrics could justify this transition? 

Attanasio—BSCs need to consider their critical business needs. Is it convenience, portability, chemical spend control, accuracy of dilution, or even safety? This is an important question and is another reason why a regular site audit with a chemical representative is necessary. 

Brown—Dilution control—whether wall-mounted or a mobile dispensing solution—typically offers a lower in-use cost versus RTU solutions. Different customer needs and use cases show that while a wall-mounted system may be ideal for one customer, a mobile dispensing unit or pre-portioned chemical works best for another. In general, dilution control systems can help streamline and optimize operations, a need driven by labor shortages and efficiency demands. 

Everitt—BSC’s should adopt dilution control of some form to be confident of good cleaning performance without the stickiness of surfaces and wasted money from the over-usage of concentrate sold in jugs and buckets. Without a measuring cup on hand, cleaning staff left to their own devices will always pour too much concentrate. The metrics are less rapid re-soiling of floors and less money spent on cleaning chemicals. 

Gilliam—It all comes down to savings—time, labor, and product. Proper dilution reduces overuse, residue, and rework. When chemicals are mixed correctly, surfaces stay cleaner longer and frontline teams spend less time fixing problems caused by over-mixing.  

Mobile, pre-measured dilution adds another layer of savings. Concentrates are manufactured with precise dosing, then issued per shift so frontline cleaning teams can refill at any water source. As a result, routine trips to centralized mixing stations and reliance on bulky carts are reduced. Workers are able to move faster between floor and buildings, with every minute saved affecting the bottom line. 

How can proper dilution control optimize cleaning processes? 

Everitt—Optimization is the key benefit of dilution control. When the dilution control system is functioning properly, BSCs can be confident that the staff used the exact amount of concentrate per gallon of water (as recommended by the manufacturer). Accuracy of dilution is critical to germicidal efficacy and is also a legal requirement for EPA-registered disinfectants and sanitizers. 

Brown—Proper dilution control lowers the risk of chemical misuse or overuse, which helps teams to consistently achieve intended cleaning performance, protects them from free-pouring accidents, and more. Concentrated products also take up significantly less storage space than traditional offerings. 

Attanasio—Products work best when used as directed. Dilution control systems, when properly configured, are designed to provide accurate dilution of the concentrate and will always be more accurate than hand pouring chemicals. 

Gilliam—Proper dilution protects surfaces, people, and productivity. Over-mixing leaves a film on surfaces which becomes sticky and slippery over time, attracting more dirt and pathogens—so crews end up working harder, not smarter. 

What items are essential for the successful implementation of dilution control? 

Brown—Training—in-person or virtual—is important for the successful implementation of dilution control. That said, the amount of training required for some of the latest innovations in mobile dispensing is very low, meaning that operations struggling with a variety of labor challenges can benefit from the technology. 

Everitt—Color-coding the cleaning chemical concentrates and pairing them with the packaging is fundamental to initial training and continued proper usage in the cleaning operation. Function-specific training cards with graphic images in conjunction with the color-coding scheme will be especially effective when the native languages of the cleaning staff go beyond English, Spanish, and French. 

Gilliam—Simplicity. If a system is easy to understand, it’s easy to teach and sustain. Programs could be color- and job-coded to match everything: products, accessories, safety materials, and training. Every product follows the rule of one—one pre-measured pouch per container. When instructions become “one for this, two for that,” people may default to “more is better,” and consistency disappears. 

SC Johnson—Following a manufacturer’s mixing instructions and wearing appropriate personal protection equipment (PPE) is essential for any dilution control system. Incorrect dilution can lead to serious complications. Too little concentrate results in poor cleaning performance and, in the case of disinfectants, inadequate germ elimination. Too much concentrate can damage surfaces and waste product.  

Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards is equally critical. Dilution control implementation often involves refilling bottles, and users must be careful to only use (or refill) chemicals in properly labeled containers to avoid code violations or other potential dangers by mixing incompatible chemicals. 

Attanasio—One of the key preventative measures recommended is periodic dilution accuracy checks. An example is point-of-use wall charts to ensure proper product usage and aid in employee safety. Because the BSC industry experiences high turnover, it is important to have ongoing local support and training. 

How can dilution control systems be tailored according to differing needs? 

Gilliam—Different spaces need different tools, but not different math. Color- and job-coded dilution allows products to be matched to tasks and areas without changing the process. The consistency stays the same—whether you are cleaning restrooms, classrooms, offices, or common areas. 

SC Johnson—It is important to find the right-sized system for the facility being cleaned and the nature of the cleaning. While traditional wall-mounted dilution control systems are great in some instances, they require adequate space in a custodian closet and sufficient water pressure to function properly. There is also maintenance associated with these systems, as well as training for the staff that use them. 

When frontline crews are on the move or lack access to a wall-mounted dilution control system, several alternative solutions are available: dissolvable tablets, manually mixing concentrates, and mobile dispensing systems. These solutions deliver the efficiency of concentrated dilution control with the convenience and flexibility of RTU products—ideal for situations where water sources may be limited. 

Brown—Some sites, such as a large campus, may find it optimal to utilize more than one type of dilution control system. This could appear as a wall-mounted system for key janitor closets and a mobile dispensing or pre-portioned chemical solution for areas without easily accessible water hook ups. 

Attanasio—An assortment of dilution control is dependent upon a BSC’s situation and critical business needs. There are systems that portion the correct amount of chemical for situations where no connected water source exists. Portable dilution may be a better fit for areas where there is no custodial closet or limited space for wall-mounted dispensers. Based on the use case, a blended program that optimizes different tools for each specific situation may be recommended. 

Everitt—The key element in tailoring dilution control to the nature of the operation is portability. The traditional wall-mounted and hard-plumbed blend centers require custodial staff to return to the stationary dispensing point for cleaning solution refills—a round trip that can be time consuming. Some dilution-control systems feature point-of-use mixing to eliminate this, and alongside a cleaning cart equipped with a rubber faucet adapter and mixing hose, water from any faucet can be used. 

In what ways does dilution control support sustainability initiatives? 

Attanasio—Dilution control can be a great way to boost your green IQ. For example, a 2-liter, concentrated, all-purpose cleaner can make over 2,000 quarts of in-use solution. That removes a lot of plastic bottles from the waste process. 

SC Johnson—Compared to RTUs, dilution control systems can significantly lessen plastic waste as bottles are typically reused. Additionally, they often require less packaging and reduce the need to transport large volumes of diluted cleaning solutions, which helps lower emissions associated with shipping. In fact, some mobile dispensing systems in the market can reduce plastic use by up to 93 percent, compared to equivalent RTU quart bottles with sprayers, and based on an average quart bottle and sprayer containing approximately 69 grams of plastic. 

Brown—Dilution control offers multiple benefits that help support customer sustainability initiatives. Diluted products typically involve less plastic than their RTU counterparts, and less CO2 is also generated due to less transport. 

Gilliam—Green-certified products are a great start, but sustainability depends on using them correctly. Pre-measured dilution ensures safer chemistry isn’t wasted or over-introduced into the waste stream. Highly concentrated products also reduce shipping weight, storage space, and packaging. Smaller formats mean less to store, less to transport, and less for workers to carry without sacrificing performance. 

What are the challenges associated with adopting dilution control? How could these issues be improved by pre-portioned chemicals? 

Gilliam—The biggest challenge is mindset. Many frontline teams have done things the same way for years and don’t see a reason to change. This apprehension can be addressed by working alongside them, listening to concerns, and solving problems together. 

Everitt—People are change-resistant by nature. Additionally, they may resent the loss of free time built into routine trips back to a blend-center for a refill or mop bucket change. Portable dilution control—in packets or pods—does not require backflow prevention. If it is a portable proportioner, it should also be backflow preventer equipped. 

Attanasio—Having the right chemical partner, one that can provide you with the necessary tools to transition and a customized plan to ensure these tools are available for employees, is the best way to accomplish a smooth transition to pre-portioned chemicals. 

As contract cleaning continues to evolve and grow, how will manufacturers keep pace with proper chemical handling requirements? Are there any additional innovations you predict will transform this facet of the industry? 

SC Johnson—Over the past decade, we’ve seen significant advancements in dispensing technology. Manufacturers are focused on developing dilution control systems that minimize upfront investment and maintenance compared to traditional wall-mounted units. Looking ahead, expect innovation beyond dispensing methods—portable and automated solutions.  

Additionally, user-friendly features around labeling and OSHA compliance, alongside simplified dilution processes, will play a key role in improving compliance and efficiency for frontline cleaning crews.

Attanasio—Space restrictions will probably continue to be an issue, so having solutions that are portable or mobile will be beneficial for BSCs. 

Everitt—The advent of QR codes as a means of providing ready access to information is useful and timely. The large space each language requires on cleaning product labels limits the number of languages provided. The correct Smartphone app could give the necessary cautions and instructions in any language by scanning the product’s QR code. Potentially, the correct smartphone app could also provide the necessary cautions and instructions in any language through a simple scan of the QR code. 

Brown—I anticipate we will see more innovation in the future that offers users the simplicity of RTU and requires no direct interaction with chemicals at all, while also delivering financial and sustainability advantages of dispensing systems to management teams. 

Gilliam—As the industry continues moving toward safer, Green Seal-certified products that work, innovation will follow. This will make it easier for building cleaners and occupants to stay safe without adding complexity. 

Taylor Vraney is an Assistant Editor for CleanLink.com, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Contracting Profits, and Sanitary Maintenance.