Concentrated cleaning products are essential for many industries, offering powerful performance in a cost-effective format. But with great strength comes the need for extra caution…
Unlike ready-to-use (RTU) solutions, concentrates must be diluted before use, making proper handling essential. Incorrect storage or mixing can lead to safety hazards, product waste, or even equipment damage.
Whether you’re working with floor care products, disinfectants, or all-purpose cleaners, understanding how to safely handle concentrates can help you protect your team and stay compliant with OSHA and GHS workplace safety requirements.*
How to Properly Store Concentrated Cleaning Chemicals
Where and how you store concentrated cleaning products directly impacts their performance and your facility’s safety. A secure, well-organized storage space helps prevent spills, fumes, and accidental mixing. Products should always remain in their original containers, kept sealed tightly and clearly labeled. Storage areas should be cool, dry, and ventilated to minimize risk — and incompatible substances, like acids and oxidizers, should never be kept side by side.
Choosing the Right Storage Location
Concentrated cleaning products should always be stored with care, not just where there’s space. Keep containers off the floor and below eye level to reduce the risk of spills and avoid overcrowding shelves. Ventilated, low-traffic areas are best, especially away from HVAC intakes where fumes could circulate. For larger volumes of flammable or combustible products, a dedicated cabinet may be required under OSHA and NFPA 30 standards.
Keeping Products Organized
Once you’ve identified storage locations, you can optimize safety even further by organizing cleaning products by hazard class, separating any that could cause a dangerous reaction if mixed. For instance, keeping oxidizing chemicals and flammable materials away from heat sources, electrical sparks, and direct sunlight.
If storing more than 10 gallons of flammable liquids, using an approved cabinet or storage room is a recommended safety measure based on the National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 30 guidance and OSHA best practices.
Safely Using & Handling Concentrated Cleaning Chemicals
Now, let’s talk about how to safely and properly use concentrated cleaning products…
Training Your Team for Effective Use & Handling
It’s important to regularly train staff on how to access and return products safely, limiting handling to team members who understand the hazards of working with concentrated formulas. This foundational knowledge not only protects people, it also ensures product efficacy over time. A good rule of thumb is to familiarize specially-trained employees with key “signal words” on containers like:
- Warning means the product is moderately toxic.
- Danger means the product is highly toxic and may cause permanent damage to skin and eyes.
To support your training, Midlab’s PLUS™️ Label System — available on all MAXIM® products — makes proper use and education even easier. Each product features clearly labeled product types, numbered steps, multilingual descriptors, and universally understood icons, all designed to improve safety, reduce misuse, and ensure consistency across teams.
Learn more about the benefits of PLUS-labeled products here.
Product Dilution: Where Accuracy Matters Most
One of the most common pitfalls in handling concentrated cleaning products is improper dilution. Over-diluting can result in ineffective cleaning, while under-diluting may expose users and surfaces to unnecessary risk. Using a dedicated dispensing system is often the best way to ensure consistency and safety.
If you’re diluting manually, always follow the exact ratio listed on the product label. Mixing should be done slowly and in a well-ventilated area, ideally using cold water to reduce the chance of vapor release.
When concentrates are mixed correctly, they provide the high performance you expect — without unnecessary waste or risk. For facilities looking to streamline this process even further, Midlab’s Easy Dilution Solution (EDS) offers a simple, intuitive way to dilute products accurately every time. EDS connects directly to your water supply and features color-coded, numbered bottles designed to reduce user error and improve efficiency across your cleaning program.
PPE and Safety Gear in the Workplace
Even with proper storage and accurate dilution, personal protective equipment (PPE) remains a must. Depending on the type of product and task, this can include gloves, eye protection, aprons, or respirators. The type of PPE required is typically indicated on the product label, and it’s important to make sure staff are aware of when to wear it, how to put it on and remove it, and how to care for the gear properly.
All in all, safety procedures should be part of your team or facility’s daily routine, not just something covered during new hire orientation. From easily accessible wash stations to visual reminders in areas where cleaning products are used, it’s worth reinforcing proper protocol to keep everyone on the same page.
When to Dispose of Cleaning Products
Even properly stored products have a shelf life. As a general rule, open containers that haven’t been used in over a year (and sealed ones left untouched for two years) should be properly discarded. For optimal safety, always reseal and relabel containers after use, and avoid mixing products that look or seem similar unless directed by the product manufacturer.
Smarter, Safer Cleaning with Midlab
From proper storage to smart dilution, safer storage and handling of concentrated cleaning products starts with informed teams and dependable solutions — and we’re here to help you build both.
Looking to strengthen your facility’s cleaning program? Get in touch with our team or explore more resources for effective cleaning and disinfection at midlab.com.
*Disclaimer: Always refer to the product label for storage, handling, and safety information specific to that product. Labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are designed in accordance with OSHA and GHS standards to help ensure safe and compliant usage in the workplace.
