“Windex shouldn't be used on granite or marble kitchen tops. Cleaners like Windex can etch or dull the surfaces of natural stone,” says Rick Glickman, president of Dream Kitchens, a design studio in Highland Park, Illinois.
According to the EWG, Windex scores a ``D'' in categories related to human health and environmental impact. The inclusion of ammonium hydroxide in Windex formulations is of the highest concern. This chemical can contribute to respiratory issues, organ and vision defects, skin irritation, and more.
A few things to note about Windex: The classic blue product we all know and love contains ammonia, so it should not be used on metals, fabrics, or other materials that ammonia could discolor or damage. Just do your research or test in a small, inconspicuous corner before starting.
Incompatible materials : Do not mix with bleach or any other household cleaners. : Thermal decomposition can lead to release of irritating gases and vapours. Aggravated Medical : None known.
Bleach and ammonia
Many window cleaners, such as Windex, contain Ammonia. If mixed with bleach, it produces a toxic gas called chloramine. Fumes from this gas can cause side effects including sinus congestion, choking, shortness of breath, and coughing. In some cases, it can even cause chest pain.
While glass provides excellent resistance to most acids, there are three types which cause significant damage – hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, and phosphorus acids. When glass is attacked by these acids, especially when they are concentrated solutions, corrosion can occur quickly.
You can use Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner on your car's tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces.
Windex can be used to clean bathtubs on a regular basis. Simply spray the solution on, and use a sponge or microfiber cloth to wipe down and scrub the tub, then rinse.
Clean the counters
Use a multi-surface cleaner such as Windex® Multi-Surface Disinfectant Cleaner to clean and shine countertops made of sealed granite, sealed marble, Corian®, Formica® and more. For a gentle clean that also works on a variety of surfaces, try Windex® Vinegar Glass Cleaner.
There are a number of commercial glass cleaners that you can use to clean the glass shower door. Windex is one of the time-tested ways to clean glass and it still works great. Spray down the shower doors with Windex and then wipe off the Windex with a soft cloth.
Immediate Concerns : Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Exposure routes : Eye, Skin, Inhalation, Ingestion. Skin : Prolonged or repeated contact may dry skin and cause irritation. Inhalation : No adverse effects expected when used as directed.
There are many different formulations of Windex. The ingredients vary between products, but they typically contain surfactants, solvents, and dyes. These chemicals are irritating when swallowed and can cause unwanted signs and symptoms including vomiting and abdominal pain.
For best results, make sure you completely rinse suds. Do not allow product to dry before rinsing, rinse windows from top to bottom and use Windex® Outdoor Sprayer when the temperature is above 55º F. If the product is applied to eaves or siding above windows, it may drip down on windows.
Yes, you can use Windex on car windows and to clean the inside of your windshield. While some will advise you to skip the Windex with tinted windows, there's no evidence that Windex with ammonia causes problems. If your windows have been tinted by a third party, you may want to play it safe and skip it.
Applying dish soap before the night gives the solution ample time to work its magic. As the hours pass, the dish soap loosens and lifts away the grime that has taken residence on your bathtub's surface.
Clean your toilet bowl.
Try spritzing the inside of your toilet bowl with Windex. Let it sit for five or ten minutes, then scrub away with your toilet brush like you would with your usual toilet bowl cleaner.
NEVER use abrasive powders, abrasive pads, steel wool or any cleaner containing bleach or Ammonia. These strong chemicals will not only harm the glass, but they also will corrode your door hardware as well as compromise the silicone and seals which will create leaks.
Windex always works good for cleaning a lot of different surfaces and evaporates quickly thus not leaving any streaks. Spray the Windex onto the Swiffer or dry mop and not directly onto the laminate floors. This is an excellent product when cleaning laminate flooring.
Glass Cleaner: The shelf life of glass cleaners is around two years. However, if the product is stored in direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, it may expire sooner.
It's also important to mix vinegar with other ingredients carefully. “Never mix vinegar with other cleaning products like bleach or ammonia or those 'blue' window cleaning products [like Windex], because they can create dangerous chlorine gas,” Gayman says.
Hydrofluoric acid cannot be stored in the glasses because they corrode the silicates of glass and dissolve in the hydrofluoric acid. Hence, from the following acids, only hydrofluoric acid cannot be stored in glass.
For example, acetic acid and ammonium hydroxide both start with “A” but are incompatible with each other, and should not be stored together.
Harsh chemicals, especially those containing bleach or chlorine, should be kept away from glass surfaces. These chemicals can damage window frames, seals, and surrounding materials.