Concentrating on Cleaning Products Can Save You Money

Why Concentrated Cleaning Products Can Save You Time and Money in Your Chicagoland Home or Business

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 27, 2025

Buying ready-to-use cleaning products may seem convenient — but concentrated cleaners are often the smarter choice. Learn how to mix them properly and avoid wasting money and time.

Why Concentrated Cleaning Products Make Financial Sense

When you buy a gallon of gasoline, you get one gallon. Same with milk. But when you purchase a gallon of concentrated cleaning product, you’re actually buying the potential for 20–100 gallons of usable solution — if you dilute it properly.

In Chicagoland, where both residential and commercial properties rely on regular cleaning for health and hygiene, concentrated disinfectants, degreasers, and deodorizers are an overlooked way to stretch your budget.

Ready-to-Use (RTU) vs. Concentrates: What’s the Difference?

That bottle of all-purpose cleaner you picked up for $0.99 might seem like a bargain. But when you calculate what you're really paying per ounce, ready-to-use (RTU) products are often significantly more expensive than concentrated versions.

Let’s say you buy a gallon of concentrate and follow the manufacturer’s mixing instructions — you could end up with 25 to 100 gallons of RTU solution. Now that’s a real return on investment.

Why Over-Diluting Concentrates Is a Bad Idea

It’s tempting to water down a concentrate even more than recommended to save money. But that approach backfires — literally.

Weakened solutions require more time to work
You may need to clean twice, wasting time and labor
You risk losing disinfecting or degreasing power, defeating the purpose

The best savings come from using concentrates exactly as directed. That means understanding dilution ratios.

Understanding Dilution Ratios: 1:8 Isn’t Always What You Think

One of the most common sources of waste and inefficiency is confusion over how to read dilution instructions. For example:

Does 1:8 mean 1 part concentrate + 7 parts water = 8 total?
Or 1 part concentrate + 8 parts water = 9 total?

A 12.5% mistake in mixing can cost you — either by reducing effectiveness or by using more product than needed. Always check the product label for exact mixing instructions. If the instructions are unclear, contact the manufacturer directly.

Why Proper Cleaning Dilution Matters for Health and Safety

Especially in environments where disinfection is essential — such as healthcare offices, schools, and food service — improper dilution may result in:

Incomplete sanitization
Health code violations
Residue that can damage surfaces

At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we use only EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants and ensure our technicians follow proper dilution and dwell times for maximum efficacy.

When You Need More Than Just the Right Mix

Some cleaning jobs are too big for DIY solutions. If your property has:

Lingering odors
Excessive grease or grime
Upholstery or carpet in need of deep cleaning
Post-construction debris
A viral or bacterial contamination concern

...it's time to call in the professionals.

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons provides comprehensive specialty cleaning services for homes and businesses across Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, Skokie, and the North Shore.

We use commercial-grade equipment and cleaning systems to deliver safe, efficient results — especially for high-traffic or sensitive spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleaning Concentrates

Q: Are concentrated cleaning products really cheaper than ready-to-use products?
Yes. Although concentrated products may have a higher upfront cost, they can be diluted to create 20 to 100 gallons of usable cleaner. This dramatically reduces your cost per use compared to pre-diluted, ready-to-use cleaners.

Q: How do I know the right way to dilute concentrated cleaners?
Always follow the instructions on the label. If the product lists a ratio like 1:8, confirm whether that means 1 part cleaner + 7 parts water (total 8) or 1 part cleaner + 8 parts water (total 9). If unclear, check the manufacturer’s website or call their customer service.

Q: Can I dilute a concentrate more than recommended to save money?
No. Over-diluting can reduce the effectiveness of the product, making you clean more often or repeat tasks — which ends up costing you more in labor and time.

Q: Are concentrated disinfectants effective against viruses like COVID-19?
Yes — as long as they are EPA-registered and properly diluted and applied with correct dwell times. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we use hospital-grade disinfectants that meet these standards.

Q: When should I call a professional cleaning company instead of using DIY solutions?
Call a professional when:

Surfaces are heavily soiled or contaminated
There's water, mold, or fire residue involved
You need commercial disinfection or odor removal
You’re preparing for occupancy or post-construction turnover

Our Services

We provide expert restoration and cleaning services across the Chicagoland area:

Residential Services

Commercial Services

Areas We Serve

We proudly serve the greater Chicagoland region, including:

City of Chicago: West Loop, Lincoln Park, Hyde Park, Gold Coast
North Shore: Evanston, Wilmette, Glencoe, Winnetka, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff
West/Northwest Suburbs: Oak Park, River Forest, Skokie, Glenview, Northbrook, Deerfield

Featured Resource

RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset
Written by IICRC Master Restorer Sam Simon, this essential guide teaches homeowners how to prepare for, survive, and recover from disasters caused by water, fire, and mold.

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons is a Chicago-based, family-operated disaster restoration and specialty cleaning company with over 40 years of local experience. We are an IICRC Certified Firm, members of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), and proud recipients of:

The 2020 BBB Torch Award for Ethics
The Stevie® Award for Business Excellence
Skokie Business of the Year, Honorable Mention

Co-owned by Sam Simon, IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorer and author of RESTORE, and Nasutsa Mabwa, an award-winning business leader and certified restoration professional.

📞 Call 773-376-1110 or Contact Us Online

Let us restore your peace of mind.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

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