How to Make A Soft Wash Recipe

One of the questions that we get asked so much here at SoftWash UK is how do I make a Softwashing recipe.

Well I thought I would do some of the maths for you and show you the basics so you get a greater understanding of how to work out your recipes.

So check out the examples below and hopefully this will make you more confident when it comes to mixing your recipes.

Soft Washing With 15% Sodium Hypochlorite 

Clever Wash Surfactant. Get It Here
When you are makeing your softwash mix also add your clever wash surfactant (200:1) for example:

1L of Soft Wash Recipe add 5ml Clever Wash

5L of Soft Wash Recipe add 25ml Clever Wash

10L of Soft Wash Recipe add 50ml Clever Wash 

20L of Soft Wash Recipe add 100ml Clever Wash 

30L of Soft Wash Recipe add 150ml Clever Wash 

40L of Soft Wash Recipe add 200ml Clever Wash

50L of Soft Wash Recipe add 250ml Clever Wash

60L of Soft Wash Recipe add 300ml Clever Wash

70L of Soft Wash Recipe add 350ml Clever Wash

80L of Soft Wash Recipe add 400ml Clever Wash

90L of Soft Wash Recipe add 450ml Clever Wash

100L of Soft Wash Recipe add 500ml Clever Wash

Example 1

Here is an example of a batch mix 100L recipe @ 2.14%

1 part Sodium Hypochlorite to 6 parts water = a total of 7 parts

Sodium Hypochlorite @ 15% divided by 7 parts gives you 2.14% softwash recipe.

100L / 7 = 14

100L - 14 = 86

So you would need 86L of water and 14L of Sodium Hypochlorite which is 100L in total at a softwash recipe strength of 2.14%
Don't forget to add 500ml Clever Wash Surfactant to your mix

Example 2

Here is an example of a batch mix 125L recipe @ 2.5%

1 part Sodium Hypochlorite to 5 parts water = a total of 6 parts

Sodium Hypochlorite @ 15% divided by 6 parts gives you 2.5% softwash recipe.

125L / 6 = 20

125L - 20 = 105

So you would need 105L of water and 20L of Sodium Hypochlorite which is 125L in total at a softwash recipe strength of 2.5%
Don't forget to add 625ml Clever Wash Surfactant to your mix

So find the required % recipe you want to work with, then take that figure away from the litres you want to make.

Example 

I want to make 100L of 3% mix

100L - 20L = 80L

80L of water + 20L of Sodium Hypochlorite = 100L of 3% softwash recipe.

Don't forget to add 500ml Clever Wash Surfactant to your mix

Stay Safe when mixing

Here is a Health and safety executive guide to diluting chemical Concentrates.  This information will help employers (including the self­employed and franchisees) comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to control exposure and protect workers’ health. It is also useful for trade union safety representatives.This sheet describes good practice using personal protective equipment (PPE).
It covers the points you need to follow to reduce exposure to an adequate level.
It is important to follow all the points, or use equally effective measures.
Some concentrates are biocidal products. Authorised products are safe for use so long as you follow the instructions on the label. Some chemicals can be flammable, so your controls must suit those hazards too. Look at the safety data sheet for more information. Download HERE

If maths is not your thing then dont worry we have an app that you can download on your apple device. You can get it HERE

Now you can say I've got an app for that!

Available NOW Click Here To Download

Softwashing calculator is an indispensable tool for juggling complicated chemical mixes. It helps reduce wastage and keeps operating costs down by giving accurate proportions

If you are having difficulty getting your head around the maths, trying to work out what percentage of softwash you need, how much chemical, surfactant and water to add, then this is the App for you.

The Soft Wash Calculator App allows you to work out your soft wash recipe by telling you exactly how much chemical, how much water and how much surfactant to add to get the desired soft wash recipe.
It doesn't stop there!.
- It can also remix your leftover softwash to a new stronger or weaker recipe.
- all controls in one place for see at a glance operation
- ease of input via pre-loaded dials. no more calculator style typing
- instantly responds to changes of complex combinations
- works in both Litres and US Gallons
- tested for Protan and Deutan colourblind users
- links to SoftwashingUK website

Take this scenario
You started with a 1% soft wash recipe of 50 gal (or litres)  for a deck clean and you’re left with 13 gallons.

You get a call from a prospective customer to clean their roof. Past experience tells you a 4% soft wash recipe is needed, but what about your leftover mix at 1%?.

Do you waste time and effort driving back to base to transfer into a standby tank?
You could consider the 13 gal as just water, top up the tank and start again.  
But that’s throwing away the value of the mix and raising your overhead.

Soft Wash Calculator App to the rescue.

You get to the new job and it requires 100 gal / litres.
Switch into remix mode , confirming the 13 gal already in the tank
Move the dials to your new recipe and the app immediately updates the different amounts to add in front of your eyes including the correct amount of extra surfactant.

You now have a 100 gal / litres tank of 4% soft wash recipe ready for your roof clean job!

Not forgetting you’ve saved money too, all without stress and uncertainty . Don’t underestimate what confident calmness has on your customer putting out referrals.

The same applies if you have a 4% recipe left in your tank and you need to dilute it down to 2%. Again the app will tell you how.

Softwashing calculator will also work for any chemical recipe. For instance you can use it for Sodium Hypochlorite, Bleach, Biocide , TFR traffic film remover and degreaser. Even the mathematically-challenged rocket scientist can top up their booster tanks to new fuel mixes after launch delays caused by changing weather conditions.

Using this app you will know exactly what chemical strength to put on any surface giving you the confidence and the knowledge of a professional soft washer and you’ll save money as well.

So if you have little knowledge of how to mix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you have little knowledge of how to remix a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.
If you want to save money when mixing a soft wash recipe then this app is for you.

This app is also backward compatible to devices running iOS7. We've done this so you can re-purpose an old iPhone 4 or iPod Touch 5  for what could be hazardous work environments. Just toss one in your cleaning van's toolkit.

Once you learn the methods and procedures of how to apply the soft wash to the different surfaces that need cleaning you’ll be unstoppable!

The app also has  a guide to what percentage for what surface. And if you are the lucky owner of a Clever Injector it will remind you the correct setting for the job.
However you should always consider and risk assess what soft wash recipe you need to clean the surface.

** A major iOS code-base change may require a re-purchase. The appiverse at the time will confirm our promise that we won't do so unless the necessity is apparent.

Available NOW