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How to choose cleaning chemicals for businesses in WA
Choose cleaning chemicals for businesses by matching three things: the dirt you need to remove, the surface you are cleaning, and the risks to the people using the product. Read the label and safety data sheet (SDS) first, pick the mildest product that gets the job done, and follow the dilution instructions exactly. In WA, buying cleaning chemicals also comes with workplace safety duties, so choose deliberately.
Note: This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm your duties with WorkSafe WA, and always follow the label and SDS for each product.
What to check before choosing cleaning chemicals for businesses
Check three things first: the type of dirt, the type of surface and the people who will use the product.
The type of dirt
Match the product’s pH to the dirt. Alkaline cleaners break down grease and oil, and acids dissolve limescale and rust. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14, and 7 is neutral.
Water matters too. Water Corporation confirms that hard water can leave spots on shower screens and glass, and that regional customers on groundwater are more likely to have it.
The surface
Read the label for the surfaces a product suits, and test it on a small hidden area first. Floors, stainless steel and glass need different products, and acids and strong alkalis can damage some finishes, so no single cleaner suits every surface.
The people using the product
A trained cleaner and a café worker doing a quick wipe-down need different products. Every SDS follows the same 16 sections, and the ones to read first cover first aid, ventilation and protective equipment.
Matching professional cleaning products to the job
Match the product type to the job instead of buying one strong cleaner for everything. The table shows the main types and what to watch for.
| Job | Product type | Works well for | Watch out for |
| Daily cleaning | Neutral detergent | Desks, counters and sealed floors | Will not cut through thick grease or scale |
| Grease and oil | Alkaline degreaser | Kitchens, workshops and stovetops | Check the SDS for protective gear and the label for suitable surfaces |
| Limescale and soap scum | Acid descaler | Taps, shower screens and tiles | Can damage some stone and finishes; check the label first |
| Germs on food-contact surfaces | Sanitiser labelled for food contact | Food prep benches and equipment | Follow the label’s contact time and rinse instructions |
| Germs on touch surfaces | Disinfectant | Door handles, switches and washrooms | Needs a clean surface and the label’s contact time |
| Floors | Floor cleaner or polish | Tiles, vinyl, timber and concrete | Wrong product leaves residue or dulls the finish |
A commercial kitchen needs products labelled for food-contact surfaces, while a workshop needs a degreaser that suits oily residue and its floors. Browse surface cleaners and disinfectants by job and keep your list short.
Sanitisers, disinfectants and hospital grade explained
A sanitiser reduces germs on food-contact surfaces to a sanitary level, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) defines it in its sanitiser standard. A disinfectant kills germs on surfaces.
For hard-surface disinfectants, TGA requirements depend on the intended use and label claims. Specific claims, such as killing viruses, need a TGA listing before supply, while products making only non-specific claims, such as killing bacteria or germs, may be exempt from listing but must still meet applicable requirements, according to its claim guide.
The TGA separates household/commercial grade disinfectants from hospital-grade ones, and they face different performance tests. A household/commercial grade product cannot be labelled hospital grade, so check the product’s classification and claims, not just the grade name.
Getting the best result from a disinfectant
Clean first, then disinfect. The Department of Health and Aged Care advises cleaning with detergent and warm water before applying a disinfectant. Then follow the label: the TGA notes that labels list the surfaces a product suits and may give pre-cleaning advice, dilution and contact time, which is how long the product must stay on the surface.
Never mix a disinfectant with detergents or other chemicals unless the label says you can. The TGA’s standard requires most disinfectant labels to carry that warning. A separate guide covers the dos and don’ts of mixing cleaning chemicals.
What WA safety rules expect for SDS and labels
WA businesses must manage the risks of hazardous chemicals under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 and the Work Health and Safety (General) Regulations 2022. WorkSafe WA publishes a code of practice on safety data sheets for manufacturers and importers, and a labelling code for workplace hazardous chemicals.
If you use hazardous chemicals, you must keep a register of them. WorkSafe WA’s hazardous chemicals register says the register lists each hazardous chemical on site with its current SDS, and workers and emergency services must be able to reach it easily. Chemicals that are not hazardous, and consumer products used the way a household would use them, are excluded.
Ask for the SDS before the chemical arrives. WorkSafe WA’s duties say businesses must obtain an SDS before or when a hazardous chemical is first supplied, and that manufacturers and importers must give it to anyone exposed who asks for it.
A separate guide on understanding chemical safety labels helps your team read each container.
Working out the real cost of cleaning chemicals
Compare the cost of each litre of ready-to-use solution, not the price of the bottle. Dilution notation varies, so confirm it on the label: on TGA-regulated disinfectant labels, 1:50 means 1 part product to 50 parts water.
The WesKleen Supplies listing for Comet Foaming Cleaner Sanitiser 5L gives 1:50 for kitchen benches and floors, left on for 5 to 10 minutes before rinsing. If that ratio applies, a 5 L bottle mixes with about 250 litres of water to make about 255 litres of solution, or roughly 20 mL of product per litre of water.
Dilution mistakes cost money in both directions: too weak and you repeat the job, too strong and you waste product, risk surface damage and expose your staff. Measure the dilution on your own label with a jug or a marked bottle.
When industrial cleaning chemicals make sense
Use industrial cleaning chemicals when everyday detergents cannot shift heavy oil, grease or grime, such as in workshops, warehouses and vehicle wash areas. These products are typically stronger, so read the SDS and test on a small area first.
For red dirt and iron dust on vehicles and machinery, WesKleen Supplies lists Red Dirt 5L in its automotive, workshop and marine range. The listing states it contains hydrofluoric and sulphuric acids, so it needs careful handling. WorkSafe WA’s hydrofluoric acid bulletin warns that burns can be severe, and says a Department of Health poisons permit is required to buy solutions containing more than 1 per cent hydrofluoric acid.
Check the product’s concentration and these requirements before you buy, read the label and SDS, and make sure every worker knows the emergency steps. Do not assume ordinary cleaning gloves are enough.
Choosing a cleaning chemicals supplier in Perth
Choose a supplier that recommends the right product, provides current SDS, explains dilution, delivers on time and answers questions after the sale.
WesKleen Supplies, based in Jandakot, lists more than 200 products in its commercial cleaning chemicals category, covering disinfectants, floor cleaners, degreasers and eco-friendly options.
Our delivery in Perth metro orders over $249 + GST ships free, with a goal of delivery within 24 hours. You can also pick up in store on weekdays or until 2 pm on Saturdays. The team has more than a decade of experience as cleaning contractors in Western Australia, according to its About page.
A checklist before you order
Choosing cleaning chemicals for businesses gets easier with a routine. Work through these six steps before you order:
- Identify the dirt or residue you need to remove.
- Check the surface and the label’s compatibility list.
- Decide whether you need cleaning, sanitising or disinfecting, and check any germ-killing claim against TGA guidance.
- Read the label and SDS for dilution, contact time and protective gear.
- Calculate the cost per litre of mixed solution.
- Check storage space, staff training and stock.
WesKleen Supplies can help you choose with confidence
Not sure which product suits your floors, kitchen or workshop? Tell the team what you are cleaning and what is not working, and take the guesswork out of your next order. Call 1800 728 926 or email sales@weskleensupplies.com.au.
You can also walk in to the store at Unit 21, 100 Prinsep Rd, Jandakot, WA 6164. Pickup hours are weekdays 8 am to 5 pm and Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm.
Frequently asked questions
Can I mix two cleaning products to make them stronger?
No. Some combinations release toxic gases or cause other dangerous reactions, which is why every SDS lists incompatible materials. Use one product at a time and rinse between products.
Do I need to label spray bottles?
Yes. Label any bottle you fill from a larger container with the product name and a hazard symbol or statement. The national model labelling code allows a narrow exception only if you use all the product immediately, stay with the bottle, and thoroughly clean the container immediately after use. Check WorkSafe WA’s labelling code before relying on it.
How old can a safety data sheet be?
Check the date on the sheet. WorkSafe WA says manufacturers and importers must review an SDS at least every five years, and more often when needed, so ask your supplier for the latest version if yours is older.
Are eco-friendly cleaning products safe to use without protection?
No. A product can be gentler on the environment and still irritate skin or eyes. Check the label and SDS, and wear gloves if they call for them.