Ammonia is a very strong chemical that can be corrosive. It's used to disinfect household and commercial surfaces. It's a powerful chemical, but the strength of the chemical comes with some negative health risks you should be aware of.
Ammonium hydroxide – commonly known as household ammonia – is an ingredient in many household cleaning products used to clean a variety of surfaces including tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops and tiles.
It is often mentioned in earth friendly cleaning mixtures as causing no harm, but flooring manufacturers advise against using ammonia. Tile is the exception to this rule. A blend of ammonia, vinegar, and borax can be used on tile to remove soap scum, and return the shine to a tile floor or wall.
Use a cleaning product formulated for plastics. Household cleaners, cleansers and ammonia should not be used to clean plastic window and storm doors. Streaking in the plastic could occur.
If you touch your eyes or skin when cleaning, spill the product, or inhale it in a closed room, you're at risk for irritations. Once inhaled, ammonia immediately interacts with moisture in the mucus to form caustic ammonium hydroxide, a very corrosive chemical that damages cells in the body on contact.
Ruin windshield glass: Apart from not cleaning the glass well, ammonia solutions can also damage the glass over time. In case of a tinted windshield, this solution can scratch or peel the tint layer ruining its effect.
Discoloration on your concrete driveway, garage floor, or patio can be an eyesore. Mix 1 cup ammonia with 1 gallon of water in a bucket and apply it to the stains using a big sponge or mop. Let sit for about 20 minutes, and then scrub the stain with a bristled brush. Rinse or hose the area with clean water.
Both vinegar and ammonia are good cleaning agents, but if you want to be on the safe side, then it's best to go with vinegar. Vinegar is less hazardous. When it comes to actually wiping the windows down, however, microfiber cloths are the best thing to use for absorbency.
But vinegar should not be used as a hardwood floor cleaner because its acidity can lead to etching in the wood's surface. Avoid ammonia – Ammonia will discolor, deteriorate, and dull the finish. Using ammonia to clean a wood floor will take years off of its life.
Ammonia is super cheap and great to use as a homemade household cleaner by itself or mixed with other on-hand products. It leaves a streak-free shine making it great for cleaning glass, stainless steel, and porcelain. It's also wonderful at removing baked-on grease and grime.
Cloudy ammonia is a combination of ammonia and soap, and has a milky colour compared to undiluted, clear ammonia. Cloudy ammonia is used in household cleaning. Cloudy ammonia is slightly milder than clear ammonia, but still effective in an ultrasonic cleaner. Cloudy ammonia can be bought at most grocery stores.
Clean Stains on Carpets, Curtains, and Furniture
Ammonia will work for cotton, nylon, and polyester, but never use ammonia for wool or silk fabrics. Be sure to test a small, discreet area of fabric first before applying ammonia all over your belongings, and always follow the manufacturer's cleaning recommendations.
Concentrations of 2500 to 4500 ppm can be fatal in approximately 30 minutes and concentrations above 5000 ppm usually produce rapid respiratory arrest. Anhydrous ammonia in concentrations above 10000 ppm is sufficient to evoke skin damage.
USAGE PRECAUTIONS Avoid spilling, skin and eye contact. STORAGE PRECAUTIONS Store in tightly closed original container in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Keep in original container. ENGINEERING MEASURES Provide adequate general and local exhaust ventilation.
Use an ammonia-free glass cleaner, a premixed vinegar-based cleaning solution, or make your own with one part white vinegar to 10 parts water, and apply to a soft, clean, lint-free micro fiber cloth or paper towel.
Is it okay to mix ammonia and baking soda? Yeah. In most cases, people mix ammonia and baking soda as a cleaning agent. Along with a little water, ammonia and baking soda can form a paste that removes stains from household appliances and cast iron pans.
GENERAL CLEANING: Use ½ cup Ammonia to 1 gallon of hot water for refrigerators and other appliances, sinks, bathrooms, dishes, glassware, pots and pans, garbage pails, windows, mirrors, linoleum, ceramic tile floors and venetian blinds. DISHES, POTS AND PANS: Add ½ cup of Clear Ammonia to dish water.
Ammonia is used in wastewater treatment, leather, rubber, paper, food and beverage industries. It also is used in cold storage, refrigeration systems and in the production of pharmaceuticals. Ammonia is used in the printing as well as cosmetics industries. It is also used in fermentation.
In soil or water, plants and microorganisms rapidly take up ammonia. After fertilizer containing ammonia is applied to soil, the amount of ammonia in that soil decreases to low levels in a few days. In the air, ammonia will last about 1 week.
Ammonia is a commonly used cleaning product. Although it's a strong chemical, it's not considered a household hazardous waste. That means you can dispose of it in the sink, as long as you flush it with plenty of water. If you have a lot of ammonia or a septic system, you can neutralize the ammonia and throw it away.
Do not use cleaners with heavy ammonia bases. These too can damage the mirror edges and backing and result in a ruined mirror. Never spray any cleaner directly on to a mirror. Instead, apply the cleaner to a soft cloth and then wipe the mirror.
Why Is Ammonia Added To Glass Cleaners? Ammonia has a favorable characteristic of evaporating rapidly. As it evaporates, it doesn't leave behind residue that attracts dirt and dust. Because it evaporates quickly, it is less likely to leave streaks, which makes it a popular choice as an additive to glass cleaners.
Ammonia, the key ingredient in Windex, can be hazardous
When inhaled in small amounts, ammonia could cause you to cough and experience nose and throat irritation, according to the New York State Department of Health.