Soft wash mix ratio calculator

Enter your SH strength, the strength you want on the surface and your tank size; the calculator returns gallons of SH and water, the tank strength a downstream injector needs, and cost per batch. It is dilution arithmetic (C1 x V1 = C2 x V2), not a recipe - your product label governs.

Updated 2026-09-23 · 1 source · By the ExteriorClean HQ team

Soft wash mix calculator

Dilution math (C1 x V1 = C2 x V2) for sodium hypochlorite. Choose batch (mix in the tank at final strength) or downstream (injector pulls chemical into the water line at a set ratio). The target strength is yours to set - follow the product label and your surface.

Check the label - pool chlorine is commonly sold around 10-12.5%.
Measure your own injector - draw varies with tip size, hose length and machine.

Arithmetic only - not a recipe or efficacy claim. Sodium hypochlorite is corrosive: wear eye and skin protection, never mix with acids or ammonia, pre-wet and rinse plants, and follow the product label and Safety Data Sheet. Registered products must be used according to their label directions.

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How the calculator works

Batch: SH gallons = tank gallons x target % / starting %. Water = tank - SH.

Downstream: an injector drawing 1 part chemical to X parts water dilutes the chemical tank by (X + 1). So the chemical tank must be target % x (X + 1). If that exceeds your starting strength the target cannot be reached with that injector - the calculator shows 0 under “achievable” and caps the result at full-strength SH.

Worked example: 12.5% SH, 1% target, 50-gallon batch tank: 50 x 1 / 12.5 = 4 gallons of SH plus 46 gallons of water.

Safety

Sodium hypochlorite is corrosive. Wear eye and skin protection, never mix it with acids or ammonia-based products, pre-wet and rinse plants, and keep runoff out of storm drains where local rules prohibit it. Follow the product label and Safety Data Sheet (see NIOSH Pocket Guide).

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Frequently asked questions

What is the formula for a soft wash mix?

C1 x V1 = C2 x V2: SH gallons = tank gallons x target strength / starting strength.

How do I mix for a downstream injector?

Multiply your target strength by (injector ratio + 1) to get the strength needed in the chemical tank, then dilute your SH to that strength.

What percentage should I use for a house wash or roof?

That depends on the surface, the product label and local conditions - we do not publish recipes. Set your target and the calculator does the math.

Sources

  1. CDC/NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (accessed 2026-09-23)