I buy 220 gallons every two weeks at $1.60 per gallon. It’s not 12.5% …Id bet it’s closer to 15%
With 6% you never know what it’s actually at. If down to 4% and downstreaming you may have some trouble on dirty houses
Ive noticed that many store brand bleaches are 8.25%
If anyone on here is even remotely concerned about the cost of bleach then you need to raise your prices or go back to the drawing board. It’s chump change in the scheme of things. Your total cost cost of materials is going to be 10% or less of the job price. As @bluewave18ft said a lot of store bought bleaches are 8% or better. They’ll work, just going to use a little more but who cares. it’s an insignificant cost.
18 Likes
Agree, bleach cost is a minor fraction in the cost.
I look at it this way. SH is about the cheapest over head cost I’ve seen in any venture. You can easily make 500.00 off 15.00-20.00 worth of SH and .50-1.00 worth of surfactant. Its not even relevant and its a write off anyway
5 Likes
I agree. However, if you can save$1.00 per gallon and you use 200 gallons per month that’s$2400.00 per year additional profit.
1 Like
True but paper can always hold whatever you write on them.
You price himes individually if you do it based on cash flow is wrong
Truth be told l, doing pw is dirt cheap.
Sometimes tripping over dollars to pick up dimes can cost more
2 Likes
I don’t obsess over it but I do try to keep my cost as low as possible without compromising quality. Here’s an example. I have been using F9 barc and have had great success with it. I’m trying one restore one reason is it’s$20.00 per gallon cheaper. I tried it on a rust stain today and it did not work as good as I think the F9 would have. I’m cleaning a brick fire pit Saturday that has a green stain due to a copper hood on top of the pit. We’ll see how it does but I’m about to place an order for F9 because as of now I feel it’s a better product and even though it cost more it’ll save me money partly because I don’t have to rinse. I don’t have a problem spending money ( ask my wife lol) if it increases my profit margin. As competitive as this industry is we all have to watch our bottom line while at the same time maintaining customer service
3 Likes
It’s still an expense… SH from a manufacturer in bulk in not only way cheaper but also way better.
When ordering 220 gallons you say 240% than compared to buying off the shelf chlorine.
Honestly more savings then that because of its higher potency.
Key in any business is to get your expenses, especially reoccurring expenses as low as possible.
4 Likes
The problem is that sh weakens over time to about 6 percent. That’s not going to happen if it starts there. Maybe I am wrong but I read it somewhere. I just hate dealing with all the jugs.
Yes, buying in bulk is easier and cheaper. My problem is that I don’t use enough bleach to use it up in a timely manner.
I used my first 12% today with the tan proportioner. I also diluted it with about 1/2 gallon, probably shouldn’t have done that. Made it a tad weak.
Time to get cracking on your marketing, then 
But seriously, just lookup every chemical supplier and pool store within 30 minutes of you, and find out how much they charge for 5 gallon jugs of SH. If/when you find one that sells it for $18 or less, then you have a new source of bleach. It’ll be worth it
2 Likes
Where do you get one restore $20 cheaper than F9?
I can get sh by the 55 gallon drum an hour from here. 5 gallon jugs would be great if I can find them. You’re right on the marketing. I mostly do windows but am trying to switch over.
1 Like
I’m sorry, I went back and looked at my invoices it’s$14 dollars a gallon cheaper. I got it from Shaun at the Nashville powerwash store. You have to call him at the store. All online orders go through Wisconsin. It takes them about 4 days to get an order to me but with Shaun only 2 days. He’s a great guy to work with. Give him a try
2 Likes
Will do thanks! I’ve only seen it for $39 which is same price as F9
Look in the pool section at a nearby Lowe’s. It’s called pool essentials. If you read the label it states 10% sh.
Thanks, I’ll take a look. Last time I went to Home Depot they transferred all the pool stuff outside to garden and only had crystals. Hopefully Lowes hasn’t done the same.
