Mixing and Diluting Spray Concentrates

It is perhaps because it seems so easy that some times not enough care is taken and mistakes are made. Remember that concentrates are by their very nature more active than the final spray and are therefore to be handled with some respect. Here is a simple guide to diluting concentrates for spraying, safely, with least waste and best efficacy.

1. Protect yourself
Put on waterproof gloves and eye protection. We also advise wearing face mask, overalls and gumboots or similar during mixing and spraying.

2. Prepare the product
Liquids - Shake product well before use and let any foam settle.
Powders/granules - Shake product gently to loosen and let settle for five minutes.

Most sprayers have measuring marks on the outside. If your sprayer does not, then using a 1 litre measuring jug, add 1 litre at a time to the sprayer and mark each level with a an indelible marker.

Using a measuring jug and sprayer >

> If possible use a 1 litre measuring jug dedicated to the type of product to be used i.e. garden insecticide/fungicide, selective weed killer, non-selective weed killer, household insecticide, moss and mildew killer, etc. Rinse out measuring jug and sprayer with clean water.
> Quarter fill the measuring jug with clean water. Carefully add required amount of concentrate or powder/granules to the water in the jug (if powder/granules- stir until dispersed).
> With clean water rinse out the measuring cap/cylinder into the jug at least 5 times. Add clean water to the jug until the level reaches 1 Litre.
> Add mixture to sprayer. Using measuring jug, add more clean water to the sprayer until the required water level is achieved.
> Using a jug is unlikely to cause foaming. If foaming occurs, slow the addition of water. Let liquid sit until foam subsides before completing filling. Do not let foam spill from sprayer.

Sprayer only >

> Rinse sprayer with clean water.
> Add 1 litre of clean water to the sprayer. Carefully add required amount of concentrate or powder/granules to the water in the sprayer (if powder/granules- stir until dispersed).
> Using clean water, rinse out the measuring cap/cylinder into the sprayer at least 5 times. Add clean water to the sprayer until the level reaches 5 Litres.

Note: If foaming occurs, slow the addition of water. Let liquid sit until foam subsides before completing filling. Do not let foam spill from sprayer. 

3. Clean sprayer, jug and stirrer

After use rinse the sprayer, jug and stirrer out with clean water at least three times. It is good practise to pump clean water through the spray nozzle to clear product from sprayer head and tube.

If a diluent (solvent) other than water is used, the equipment should be cleaned with an appropriate cleaner such as household washing up liquid. It is also recommended that sprayer seals are checked and lubricated with petroleum gel, grease or similar to keep in good order.

Mixing with diluents (solvents) other than water

Some Kiwicare products are not formulated to mix with water e.g. NO BORER CONCENTRATE and NO LEAKS RED BRICK AND TERRACOTTA SEALANT. And some products can be mixed with other diluents for better effectiveness, e.g. NO SPIDERS mixed with turpentine or PATHCLEAR - HYDROCOTYLE mixed with diesel for control of re-sprouting stumps. In these case the process is similar to that described above but using the appropriate solvent.

This table will help you get the best out of concentrates, stay safe, reduce spills and save you money.

Table of Dilution Rates
Final Spray Volume	500ml	1Litre	2Litres	3Litres	4Litres	5 Litres	10Litres	20Litres
Liquid - Label Rate
1ml per Litre	0.5ml	1.0ml	2.0ml	3.0ml	4.0ml	5.0ml	10.0ml	20.0ml
2ml per Litre	1.0ml	2.0ml	4.0ml	6.0ml	8.0ml	10.0ml	20.0ml	40.0ml
5ml per Litre	2.5ml	5.0ml	10.0ml	15.0ml	20.0ml	25.0ml	50.0ml	100ml
10ml per Litre	5.0ml	10.0ml	20.0ml	30.0ml	40.0ml	50.0ml	100ml	200ml
25ml per Litre	12.5ml	25.0ml	50.0ml	75.0ml	100ml	125ml	250ml	500ml
35ml per Litre	17.5ml	35ml	70ml	105ml	140ml	175ml	350ml	700ml
50ml per Litre	25.0ml	50.0ml	100ml	150ml	200ml	250ml	500ml	1L
75ml per Litre	37.5ml	75.0ml	150ml	225ml	300ml	375ml	750ml	1.5L
100ml per Litre	50.0ml	100ml	200ml	300ml	400ml	500ml	1L	2L
4:1 ratio*	100ml	200ml	400ml	600ml	800ml	1L	2L	4L
5:1 ratio*	83.3ml	167ml	333ml	500ml	666ml	833ml	1.67L	3.33L
9:1 ratio*	50.0ml	100ml	200ml	300ml	400ml	500ml	1L	2L
20:1 ratio**	25.0ml	50.0ml	100ml	150ml	200ml	250ml	500ml	1L
Powder/Granule - Label Rate
10g per 5 litres	1.0g	2.0g	4.0g	6.0g	8.0g	10.0g	20g	40g
20g per 5 Litres	2.0g	4.0g	8.0g	12.0g	16.0g	20g	40g	80g
30g per 20 Litres (15g per 10 litres)	0.75g	1.5g	3.0g	4.5g	6.0g	7.5g	15g	30g
50g per 4 litres	6.3g	12.5g	25g	37.5g	50g	62.5g	100g	20

*Ratios - Some products specify a ratio of diluent (water or other solvent) to concentrate. In this case add the two numbers together where the total will be the final volume. e.g. 4:1 ratio is 4 Litres water plus 1 Litre concentrate equals 5 Litres final solution.

**When the ratio becomes high, e.g. 20:1 or higher, it is reasonable, for the sake of ease of calculation, to add 1 part concentrate and make up to 20 parts final solution instead of trying to calculate 1/19th of the final volume or measure 21 parts. So the volumes of concentrate shown in the table above for 20:1 ratios are strictly speaking those for 19:1 ratio.