With that being said, ammonia can be known to cause damage to surfaces such as rubber, vinyl, plastic, paint, and chrome trim which are found all throughout your vehicle. Ammoniated glass cleaners can also deteriorate wax, so we highly caution against using these types of products on any such surface.
The true answer is that it depends on the application, BUT in almost all typical use situations it's better to go ammonia free! This goes for use in the home and most professional applications as well. The number one reason to avoid an ammoniated glass cleaner involves, you guessed it- safety.
No Smell. After using ammonia-based cleaning products, the smell of ammonia will linger after the job is done. A good ammonia-free glass cleaning product such as Sprayway Glass Cleaner will leave your glass smelling fresh, without any offensive scent.
Steer clear of ammonia-based cleaners
This substance found in many glass cleaners should never be used on car glasses for several reasons. Harmful fumes: The fumes released when using ammonia based cleaners can be extremely harmful to health.
Ammonia Cleaners
The chemical will directly target the adhesive that keeps the tint in place over the glass and eventually cause it to peel and fail. You should also avoid using a household soap, such as dish detergent, to wash the glass, as these products may also cause streaks.
Yes! Windex® Ammonia-Free works best on car windows when the surface is cool and out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Take care to avoid painted surfaces. On tinted windows, test in an inconspicuous spot first, since there are different qualities of tint.
A:For car windows, we recommend using Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner. You can use Windex® Ammonia-Free Glass Cleaner on your car's tinted windows, mirrors, glass, chrome, stainless steel, plastic, and vinyl surfaces.
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.
Some formulations of Windex contain ammonia. These products should never be combined with bleach when cleaning. Combining bleach and Windex that contains ammonia can lead to the formation of chloramine gas. Chloramine gas is highly irritating to the nose, mouth, and throat when inhaled.
The best product for getting reliably clean and clear glass is Windex. It can be used on a variety of surfaces to clean without leaving streaks, and it's strong enough to get rid of tough stains.
Spray a stronger mix of 1:1 water and vinegar (or Windex, or glass cleaner) at your window, so that the solution covers most of the glass. (I found Windex to work better, but if you have pets—or kids—who frequently lick outdoor windows, vinegar may be the best route for you.)
Just the existence of permanent ammonia-free hair dye products could make you think these formulas are better for your hair – but our tests reveal that ammonia-based technology in permanent color actually guarantees less damage over time. The truth is that ammonia-free color is not the same as damage-free color.
Ammonia-based products
Many household cleaning products contain ammonia—think Windex—and leave streaks that can create glare as you drive. The ammonia present in these products will cause any tint on your glass to peel off, leaving you with a terrible-looking windshield and windows. Avoid the ammonia-based products!
Best Overall: Stoner Invisible Glass Glass Cleaner
In fact, Invisible Glass guarantees a streak-free finish or your money back. It's safe and effective to use on windows, doors, tables, mirrors, ovens, car windows and more.
Baking soda and vinegar are incredible ammonia replacers. Baking soda, aka sodium bicarbonate, is a fantastic natural scouring agent, whitener, brightener, deodorizer, and bleach alternative.
Windex® Original Glass Cleaner is perfect for cleaning windows, mirrors, glass shower doors, glass top stoves, and more. Thanks to its formulation with Ammonia-D®, it starts working on fingerprints, dirt, and other messes even before you wipe.
Exposure to chloramine gases can cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, irritation to the throat, nose and eyes or pneumonia and fluid in the lungs. Swallowing a cleaning product that contains ammonia can burn the mouth, throat, and stomach and cause severe abdominal pain.
Bleach and ammonia
Many window cleaners, such as Windex, contain Ammonia. If mixed with bleach, it produces a toxic gas called chloramine.
If you're all about the DIY life, we've got just the thing for you. Combine two parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle and you'll be all set with a homemade window cleaner. You can also combine warm water with a few drops of dishwashing soap if you prefer.
The most common professional window cleaning solution recipe is filtered or distilled water and dish soap. Just a few spoonfuls of dish soap is all that's needed to create foam for gliding and to help break up any grease and dirt on the glass during cleaning.
Most Effective: Windex Foaming Glass and Window Cleaner
Using an ammonia-based, foaming formula, this all-purpose cleaner can eliminate even the toughest marks on your glass.
Don't use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These aren't formulated for use on a car's paint and may strip off the protective wax. Do use a dedicated car-wash product, which is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint.
The reason most glass cleaners on the market are blue is that, during the 1960s, Windex's original recipe used a translucent blue dye to help it stand out from the pack. In response to this product's popularity, many customers began associating the color of light blue spray with glass cleaners.