Bulk cleaning chemicals: working out what you use in a month

Running out of hand soap halfway through the month is a small problem everybody notices. Buying three times what you need ties up cash and shelf space. Working out what you actually use is not hard, and it lets you buy in bulk with confidence.

‍

Start with your own figures

The most reliable number is your own history. Look at the last three months of purchases, or count what is used over two normal weeks, product by product. A rule of thumb is a starting point; your building is the real answer.

‍

What drives consumption

• People: hand soap, toilet paper and paper towel go with headcount and visitors, not floor area
• Floor area and floor type: floor cleaner goes with the square metres washed and how often
• Toilets and basins: toilet cleaner and sanitiser go with the number of fittings
• Frequency: daily tasks and weekly tasks use very different amounts
• Kitchens and canteens: dishwashing liquid, degreaser and surface sanitiser
• Dilution: concentrates go further, but only if they are diluted correctly every time

‍

Dilution is where the money goes

Most bulk cleaning chemicals are concentrates meant to be diluted. Too strong wastes product and can damage surfaces or leave a residue; too weak does not clean. Follow the label, measure every time with a marked jug, a pump or a dispenser, and make sure every cleaner mixes it the same way. Nothing changes how long a drum lasts more than this.

‍

Working out a monthly order

1. List every product
   Include the consumables: toilet paper, paper towel and refuse bags.
2. Record the use per week
   From your purchases, or from a two-week count.
3. Multiply by 4.3
   That is the number of weeks in an average month. Round up, not down.
4. Add a buffer
   Keep a little extra for busy periods and late deliveries, especially of what you cannot be without, like hand soap and toilet paper.
5. Review it every quarter
   Headcount, opening hours and cleaning schedules change, and the order should change with them.

‍

Storage and safety

• Keep chemicals in their original, labelled containers
• Store them away from food and direct sun, and out of reach of children
• Never mix products, above all bleach with acids or with ammonia-based cleaners
• Keep each product's safety data sheet where the cleaners can find it

‍

Buying in bulk

We supply detergents, sanitisers and consumables in bulk. Request a quote with what you need and where it should be delivered, or order from our online shop, which shows the delivery options for your address at checkout.