This Soft Wash Batch Mix Calculator can help you calculate the proportions of bleach (sodium hypochlorite, SH) and water to mix to create a batch solution for use in soft wash cleaning applications based on your inputs.
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Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient in chlorine bleach. Depending on the strength of the “bleach” you purchase for use, the product may be referred to as chlorinating liquid or pool shock. Sodium hypochlorite is often abbreviated as “SH”.
The percentage of sodium hypochlorite in common household chlorine bleach can vary depending on the brand and the specific product. Most household bleaches contain between 5% and 8% sodium hypochlorite.
Chlorinating liquid or pool shock typically contains between 10% and 12.5% sodium hypochlorite.
Regardless of the strength of the product you use, we generically refer to all of these products as “bleach” or “SH” for use in this calculator.
Calculator Instructions
Video Instructions
Desired Mix Amount
The first input is the desired mix amount. This represents the total amount of solution that you’d like to end up with after mixing bleach (sodium hypochlorite) and water. For example, let’s assume you want to end up with 50 gallons of the mix solution, you’d enter 50 in the input box.
You can also select your preferred units in this section by selecting either gallons or liters. The calculator defaults to gallons.
Desired Mix Percentage
The second input in the calculator is the desired mix percentage. This represents the concentration of bleach (SH) you’d like to end up with in the final mixture. For example, if you wanted your final mixture to have a 3% sodium hypochlorite concentration, you’d enter 3 in the input box.
Bleach (SH) Strength
The next input is the bleach (SH) strength you plan to use in your batch mix. The SH concentration will typically range from around 5% to 12.5% depending on which product you purchase.
Surfactant Amount
Frequently, you will want to add a surfactant to your mixture to help it “stick” to surface you are cleaning. A surfactant increases the surface tension between your cleaning solution and the surface being cleaned, causing it to slow down as gravity pulls it down the surface. This gives more time for your cleaning mixture to do its magic and clean the surface.
You can leave this input blank if you don’t intend to use a surfactant, or enter the desired amount. The calculator accepts input in ounces per gallon or milliliters per liter depending on the units selected at the top of the calculator.
Results
After selecting your desired mix amount, desired mix percentage, bleach (SH) strength, and surfactant amount (optional), press the calculate button. The calculator will then generate your mix recipe according to the inputs provided.