How to use the Soft Wash Chemical Mix Calculator

Mix the right strength every time, for batch tanks and downstream injectors. Here's every step, with screenshots from the real spreadsheet.

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Version 1.5 · 8 tabs · Excel and Google Sheets · Free Lifetime Updates

Guide at a Glance
StepHow long
1Before you start1 min 2Enter your chemicals5 min, once 3Mix a batchSee step 4Running a downstream injectorSee step 5Plan a whole jobSee step 6Print the crew mix cardSee step 7Keep track of what's on handSee step
Messages explainedSee them →

Before you start

The one rule: yellow cells with blue text are yours to fill in. Gray cells calculate on their own and are locked, so you can't erase a formula by accident.
  1. Your download is a zip with two files. Double-click it to open it. Start with the one marked with examples to see how everything works, then use the blank one for your business.
  2. Open the file in Microsoft Excel. Using Google Sheets? Upload it to Google Drive, then open it with Google Sheets.
  3. Start on the Start Here tab. It has the same steps, right inside the file.
  4. The sample data is there so you can see how everything works. Type over it with your own when you're ready.

Here's how to enter your chemicals once, then get exact mixes for any tank, injector, or job. Always follow your chemical labels and safety data sheets.

1Enter your chemicals (one time, about 5 minutes)

  1. Open Prices & Strengths. Enter what you pay for SH and surfactant, and how much surfactant you use per gallon of mix.
  2. Enter your SH strength today. SH loses strength in heat and sunlight, so a jug that started at 12.5% may be closer to 10% after a few weeks in a hot truck. Use today's strength, not the label's.
  3. Check the Surface Guide. Those strengths are common starting points only. Your product labels and your own results come first.

2Mix a batch

Soft Wash Chemical Mix Calculator Batch Mix tab in Excel and Google Sheets. Batch Mix gives exact gallons of SH, water, and surfactant for any tank and strength.
Batch Mix gives exact gallons of SH, water, and surfactant for any tank and strength.
  1. Open Batch Mix. Pick the surface (optional), then type your target strength and batch size in gallons.
  2. Read Put in your tank: gallons of SH, gallons of water, and ounces of surfactant, plus the batch cost and the mix ratio the way pros say it, like 1 to 11.5.
  3. Mix in this order: water first, then SH, then surfactant, and mix gently.
  4. The Quick Check table shows how much SH you need for common batch sizes at 1%, 2%, and 3%.

3Running a downstream injector

Soft Wash Chemical Mix Calculator Downstream tab in Excel and Google Sheets. See what strength really hits the wall through your downstream injector.
See what strength really hits the wall through your downstream injector.
  1. Open Downstream. Enter your injector's draw ratio (for example 10:1) and the strength in your bucket or tank.
  2. What hits the surface shows the real strength at the nozzle. It's much weaker than your bucket.
  3. Need a certain strength at the wall? Use Work backward from a target. It tells you what to mix in your tank, or if you can't get there with that injector.

4Plan a whole job

Soft Wash Chemical Mix Calculator Job Planner tab in Excel and Google Sheets. The Job Planner totals the chemicals and cost for every job.
The Job Planner totals the chemicals and cost for every job.
  1. Open Job Planner. Add each surface on the job and its square feet.
  2. It totals the gallons of mix, SH, water, and surfactant, plus your chemical cost for the job and how many SH containers to bring.
  3. Copy the chemical cost into the Pressure Washing Quote Calculator so your quote covers it.

5Print the crew mix card

Soft Wash Chemical Mix Calculator Crew Mix Card tab in Excel and Google Sheets. A printable Crew Mix Card so everyone mixes the same way.
A printable Crew Mix Card so everyone mixes the same way.
  1. Open Crew Mix Card and enter the tank size on this rig.
  2. It shows how many tank fills each surface needs and exactly what goes in each full tank. Print it so everyone mixes the same way.
  3. The last fill of each surface can be partial. Mix only what you need.

6Keep track of what's on hand

  1. Open Inventory. Update the gallons of SH and ounces of surfactant on hand when you buy or after a job.
  2. Set your average SH per job. It shows how many jobs your stock covers and tells you when to reorder.
  3. Read the Safety tab once and keep it in the truck.

What the messages mean

The tool watches your numbers and tells you in plain words when something needs a look. Here's every message you might see.

⚠ Your target is stronger than the SH you have.
What it means: You asked for a stronger mix than your SH can make. Adding water only makes it weaker.
What to do: Lower the target strength or buy stronger SH.
⚠ That's a very strong mix.
What it means: The target strength is higher than most surfaces need.
What to do: Double check the surface and your product label before using it.
Enter your SH strength on Prices & Strengths.
What it means: The SH strength is empty, so mixes can't be figured.
What to do: Type today's SH strength on Prices & Strengths.
Even straight SH can't reach that with this injector.
What it means: Your downstream injector waters the chemical down too much for this target.
What to do: Use a 12V or proportioner system, or an injector with a lower draw ratio.
Out of SH. Order now.
What it means: Your SH on hand has run out.
What to do: Reorder SH before your next job.
Reorder surfactant now.
What it means: Your surfactant is running low.
What to do: Reorder surfactant.
Enter the tank size for this rig.
What it means: The Crew Mix Card needs your tank size.
What to do: Type the tank size in gallons at the top of the card.

Using Google Sheets or your phone

  • To use Google Sheets, upload the file to Google Drive, then right-click it and choose Open with, then Google Sheets.
  • Dropdowns, colors, and every calculation work the same in Google Sheets.
  • On a phone, the Google Sheets and Excel apps work for quick changes. For setup and printing, a computer is easier.
  • Want to start fresh? Type over the yellow example cells. Don't delete rows, since other tabs may be reading them.

Common questions

Does it work with pool store bleach?

Yes. Enter the strength on the label, or better, today's tested strength.

Is this safety advice?

No. The tool does the math. Always follow the label and safety data sheet for every chemical you use.

Quick reference from the Start Here tab

Welcome

Mix too weak and the mildew comes right back. Mix too strong and you burn plants, waste chemical, and risk the surface. This calculator gives you the exact gallons of SH, water, and surfactant for the strength you want, shows what your downstream injector really delivers, and tells you what the chemicals cost on every job.

Setup (About 5 Minutes)

1

Open 'Prices & Strengths'. Enter what you pay for SH and surfactant, and the strength of the SH you actually have.

2

Check the surface guide. The strengths there are common starting points only. Your product labels and your own results come first.

What Each Tab Does

Batch Mix: how much SH, water, and surfactant to put in your tank for a target strength.

Downstream: what strength actually hits the wall with your injector, and what tank mix you need for a target.

Job Planner: pick the surfaces on a job and get the total gallons of mix, SH, surfactant, and chemical cost.

Crew Mix Card: a printable card for each job with exactly what goes in each tank fill.

Inventory: what you have on hand, how many jobs it covers, and when to reorder.

Safety: the rules that keep you, the customer, and their plants safe. Read it once.

Good To Know

SH loses strength over time, especially in heat and sunlight. A jug that started at 12.5% may be closer to 10% after a few weeks in a hot truck. Enter today's strength, not the label's.

Use the chemical cost per job in the Pressure Washing Quote Calculator so your quotes cover it.

Using Google Sheets? Upload this file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets. Everything works the same.

Your License

This file is licensed to one business, including everyone who works there. Please don't share, resell or post it online.

© 2026 EasyWorkTools. All rights reserved. easyworktools.com

Every tab

This file has 8 tabs, in this order:

  1. Start Here
  2. Prices & Strengths
  3. Batch Mix
  4. Downstream
  5. Job Planner
  6. Crew Mix Card
  7. Inventory
  8. Safety
Still stuck on something? Ask us. We answer within one business day, and we'll add the answer here for everyone.