There is no single price for cleaning chemicals in Kenya. The price depends on which products you need, the pack size, how far each one dilutes, how much you buy and how it is delivered. This guide explains each of those, so you can ask for a quote that gets a straight answer and compare two quotes fairly.
The short answer
Search for cleaning product prices in Kenya and you will find small bottles priced for the home. A hotel, hospital, school or cleaning company buys by the 20 litre drum and needs a quote for the whole product list.
Thika Wax Works makes the Bionic range: hand wash, heavy-duty and multipurpose liquid detergents, QAC disinfectant, tile cleaner, toilet cleaner and glass cleaner. Most come in 20 litre containers or 4 x 5 litre cartons. The price depends on the seven things below.
Price factors
Why one cleaning product costs more than another
Two drums of cleaner can look the same and clean very differently. These are the things that change the price, and what to tell your supplier about each.
| What changes the price | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Type of product | A hand wash, a detergent, a disinfectant, a tile cleaner and a toilet cleaner are made differently and priced differently. Disinfectants cost more than general detergents. |
| What you are cleaning (the scope of the job) | Floors, tiles, toilets, kitchens, laundry and glass need different products. Heavy-duty jobs call for stronger, more concentrated cleaners. |
| Concentration and dilution | A concentrate costs more per litre but you add water to it. How far it dilutes decides what you really pay for each litre of cleaning solution. |
| Pack size | Most products come in a 20 litre container or a carton of 4 x 5 litres. Larger containers are cheaper per litre, and cartons are easier to handle on a trolley. |
| Number of products | A single product is quoted on its own. A full list for a hotel or hospital can be quoted as a package, which often works out cheaper. |
| Volume and how often you order | A one-off container costs more per litre than a standing monthly order. Say how much you expect to use each month. |
| Delivery | Thika, Nairobi, upcountry and export orders have different delivery costs. Always compare prices with delivery included. |
Cost per litre used
Price per litre is not what you actually pay
The cost that matters is the cost of each litre of cleaning solution that goes on the floor, not the price of the drum. A strong concentrate can look dear and still be the cheaper cleaner.
Use this simple sum:
Cost per litre of ready-to-use solution = price per litre ÷ (parts of water + 1)
Here is an example with round numbers, to show the arithmetic. These are not our prices. Cleaner A costs 150 a litre and is diluted with 9 parts of water to 1 part of cleaner, so one litre makes 10 litres of solution, which costs 15 a litre. Cleaner B costs 80 a litre and is diluted with 3 parts of water, so one litre makes 4 litres of solution, which costs 20 a litre. Cleaner A is the cheaper cleaner to use, even though its drum costs nearly twice as much.
Always check the dilution rate on the label before you compare. A cheap cleaner that has to be used strong, or needs a second pass, costs more in product and labour.
Comparing quotes
How to compare two quotes fairly
- Ask for the price per litre and per container, and check the container size is the same.
- Ask for the dilution rate of each product, so you can work out the cost per litre of solution.
- Check that delivery is included in both quotes.
- Ask which jobs each product is made for. A cheaper quote may be for a cleaner that does not do what you need.
- Ask for a sample you can test in your own building, and ask how long the price holds.
Get a quote
What to tell us to get a fast, accurate quote
You do not need to know the products. Send us these details and we will recommend a list:
- What kind of site you run, for example a hotel, hospital, school, restaurant or office.
- Which areas you clean: floors, tiles, toilets, kitchens, laundry or glass.
- How many people clean, and how often.
- How many 20 litre containers or cartons of 4 x 5 litres you expect to need each month.
- Where we should deliver, and when you want to start.
- How long you plan to buy for: a trial, six months or a year.
See our cleaning products range for what we supply, or ask for a quote.
Applications
Where our cleaning products are used
The Bionic range is used by hotels, hospitals, schools, restaurants, offices and cleaning companies for hand washing, general and heavy-duty cleaning, disinfecting, cleaning tiles and toilets, and keeping glass clear. Every product has a shelf life of two years.
To go deeper, read our guides on hospitality cleaning products, locally made cleaning chemicals, a housekeeping chemicals checklist, how disinfectants work and industrial floor cleaners.
FAQ
Your questions answered
How much do cleaning chemicals cost in Kenya?
It depends on the product, the pack size and how much you buy. Bulk cleaners are quoted per litre or per container, so the best way to get a real figure is to send us the list of products you need and your monthly volume.
What pack sizes do you supply?
Most of our products come in 20 litre containers or cartons of 4 x 5 litres. Ask us if you need another size.
Which cleaning products do you make?
The Bionic range includes hand wash, heavy-duty liquid detergent, multipurpose liquid detergent, QAC disinfectant, tile cleaner, toilet cleaner and a glass and tile cleaner.
What is a QAC disinfectant?
QAC stands for quaternary ammonium compound. It is a widely used disinfectant that works against germs on hard surfaces and leaves a pleasant scent. Follow the label for dilution and contact time.
How do I compare the cost of two cleaners?
Work out the cost per litre of ready-to-use solution. Divide the price per litre by the number of litres of solution one litre makes. Check the dilution rate on each label.
Are your cleaning products safe and eco-friendly?
We make the range to be effective and safe to use when you follow the label. Wear gloves, do not mix cleaners and keep them away from food.
How long do cleaning chemicals last in storage?
Our cleaning products have a shelf life of two years. Keep the containers closed and stored away from direct heat.
Can I get a package price for several products?
Yes. Send us the list of products and your monthly volume and we will quote for the whole order.
Get a price for your site
Send us the products you need, how you clean and your monthly volume. We will recommend a list and quote for it.
Akshay Chandaria is the Sales Director at Thika Wax Works Limited, a manufacturer of industrial waxes, hot melt and cold glue adhesives, floor polishes, cleaning products and construction chemicals for businesses across Kenya.
