As important as it is for cleaners to use the proper practices and protocols for optimum sanitation, it’s vital that they get the math right for increased safety and maximum efficacy. RTUs or ready-to-use products can offer the opportunity to skip the math required for dilution and head straight to cleaning and sanitizing.

RTUs come in all forms, including liquids, wipes, sprays, and more, all packaged and premixed, but are they right for your application? There are several things to consider before you make the switch.

Cost

RTUs are on the higher end of the cost spectrum because they skip the dilution step, but that also means they save you time, which results in less labour. As well, RTUs tend to cost less upfront, but that cost may well even out over the long term of purchasing cleaning products.

Risk

There is a lower risk with RTUs, because the correct mix does not depend on your staff, lessening the burden on your labour and mitigating that margin of error. Diluting chemicals by hand requires precision and safe practices to limit the risk that it is mixed incorrectly or that toxic gases are released. As well this step allows for the possibility of impurities entering the mix which could compromise the solution and your cleaning results.

RELATED: How to avoid making mistakes with cleaning chemicals

Sustainability

Many of the RTU packaging comes from recycled material, making it a step towards lowering your carbon footprint with your cleaning products. Many of the concentrated products require special disposal, as they can be considered hazardous waste. This could add a cost to the process along with more damage to the environment.

The case for concentrate

For companies with smaller janitorial closets or limited space, storage can be an issue for RTUs, as they come in large quantities. As well, if you need to transport the solution from one area of your building to another, it can be cumbersome to carry or move the large containers of solution. Concentrates may also last longer, as the chemical is only part of the mix, so you may get a longer shelf life with a concentrated product over an RTU.

There are pros and cons to using both RTUs and concentrates, so you need to weigh all the factors to determine which best suits the needs of your team, your building, and your business.