Activated EM, AEM (also bokashi spray or bokashi microbes), can be used on a daily basis.
Examples of 3 daily or regular uses:
- Spraying on food waste
- Watering houseplants, gardens and landscapes (yards, lawns, etc.)
- Cleaning and laundry
How much "Activated" you will need to make will depend on how much you use on a regular basis, which can fluctuate as the season changes. One estimate is about 1 to 2 liters (33 to 67 fl oz) per month or as much as 12 to 24 liters (13 to 25 quarts, or 3 to 6-1/3 gallons) per year. The more you replace the following with Activated, the more you will use it on a regular basis, as well as maybe save some money:
- Eliminating fertilizers for your plants
- Cleaning products, eliminating most if not all of your cleaning products (to clean countertops, mop floors, clean the bathroom, degrease the oven, etc.)
- Laundry detergent, either using less or completely replacing it with Activated (as a pre-wash, detergent, and fabric softener)
- Dishwashing liquid, either completely replacing it or using it for general dishwashing and using the chemicals only for the toughest of stains (tough stains can be removed with Activated, but it can take time)
- Shampoo, either replacing it or as just a hair conditioner
Examples of how much to make depending on the amount you use and what works for you:
- Monthly: 1 or 2 liters per month
- Every few months (when running low): 1 to 3 gallons at a time
- Yearly: 5 to 7 gallons per year
You will have to try what works best for you. Some people prefer getting into a monthly rhythm and having it on their calendar along with their other regular activities.
Others prefer to make it when they are low, just as they do so with their other household products. However, they'll have to time it since it takes two weeks from the start of making Activated for it to be ready to use. For instance, if they use about 1 quart in 2 weeks, and if they are down to their last quart, then it's time to make more.
And there are those who prefer to make in large quantities to last a year, and therefore, done once, and that's it for the year.
How much to make the first time.
Some people may want to make only a small enough amount of Activated to see how long it'll take them to use it. Unfortunately, all too often, a couple of problems arises. First, the small amount does not really encourage using it (while having a large amount of Activated on hand can not only encourage using it, but also trying out new things to use it on). Second, because of lack of use, it gets forgotten or it takes too long to eventually use up the Activated. This leads to EM•1 expiring (the main ingredient in making Activated). This compounds the lack of use in the first place, and the expiration forces prolonging the lack of use since they now have to wait to get more before making more. Usually, when this happens, with an expired EM•1, at this point they never continue with making and using Activated.
The best thing to do is to purchase the smallest bottle of EM•1 which in 16 fl oz (0.47 L) and use all of it to make Activated. By adding sea salt when making Activated, it will last much longer beyond the expiration of the EM•1. You will then have 320 fl oz (10 quarts, 9.5 L) of Activated. With that much Activated, you'll be free to try it on many different things without worrying about using it up too quickly. You'll eventually gravitate towards using it for specific things, and over time, that will determine how much you use, how much to make, and when to make it.
Perhaps the quantity that EM•1 is sold in is what determines how much to make and when. The following table shows how much Activated can be made with the amount of EM•1 as sold per bottle size:
| EM•1 bottle size | Amount of Activated EM | Sea salt (at 2 tsp/liter [~1% salinity]) |
| 16 fl oz (1/2 quart, 0.47 L) | 320 fl oz (10 quarts, 9.5 L) | 6 Tbs and 1 tsp (3 fl oz, 94 ml) |
| 32 fl oz (1 quart, 0.95 L) | 640 fl oz (20 quarts, 18.9 L) | 12 Tbs and 2 tsp (6.3 fl oz, 187 ml) |
| 1 gallon (4 quarts, 3.79 L) | 80 quarts (75.7 L) | 3 cups 2 Tbs and 1 tsp (25 fl oz, 744 ml) |
| 5 gallons (20 quarts, 18.9 L) | 400 quarts (378.5 L) | 15 cups 12 Tbs and 1 tsp (126 fl oz, 3.73 L) |
When making Activated, you'll also need the same amount of blackstrap molasses as EM•1. The sea salt column is shown not just to know how much is needed, but also that it should definitely be added since it is an optional ingredient. See Activated EM (Bokashi Spray) for the full details on the recipe, the ingredients and materials (bottles, tools) needed, and how much to use per application.