How to Use Ammonia for Cleaning

We’re willing to bet you haven’t given much thought to the origins of ammonia, and given the availability of hundreds of cleaning products that don’t contain ammonia, you may not even have any in your home. We’re about to change that.

Ammonia is one of the world’s most versatile cleaning products and there are tons of reasons that you might want to snag a bottle on your next shopping trip. You can use it to clean your floors, windows, and even while doing your laundry. Whether you do all your own cleaning, hire a pro, or you’re thinking about opening a cleaning business, here’s what our Pros have to say about cleaning with ammonia.

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a naturally-occurring poisonous gas. It can be present when plants or animals decay in an anaerobic (no oxygen) environment, and it’s been identified in space, too! It has a sharp and unpleasant odor, which you’ve likely experienced if you have a cat. Since cat urine contains bacteria, the urea in their pee can break down and release ammonia gas in small quantities. 

The type of ammonia that you can buy at the hardware store is called ammonium hydroxide. It’s made by taking ammonia gas and dissolving it into water, and it usually has a concentration of between 5% and 10% ammonia. Industrial versions are designed to be corrosive and some solutions contain as much as 30% ammonia.

How to Make Homemade Ammonia for Cleaning

You might be curious about whether it’s possible to make ammonia at home. You can, but we don’t recommend trying it. Ammonia is a poisonous gas, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could put every member of your household at risk.

What you can do is make an ammonia solution where you don’t want to use the full strength cleaning solution you buy at the store. Here’s what you would need to do it:

• 5-10% ammonia solution
• Water
• Spray bottle

For example, you might use 1 cup of ammonia to 1 cup of water to arrive at a solution that’s between 2.5% and 5% ammonia. You can adjust the ratios accordingly depending on what you want to clean.

Products and Supplies to Use When Cleaning with Ammonia

Here are some supplies and products that you might want to have on hand when cleaning with ammonia.

How to Use Ammonia for Cleaning

Our Pros have put together these step-by-step guides to using ammonia to clean windows, floors, laundry, and ovens.

Ammonia for Cleaning Windows

Ammonia is super-effective for cleaning windows and mirrors, which is why it’s an ingredient in glass cleaning products. Here are the steps to follow.

Step 1: Mix one tablespoon of clear ammonia with two cups of water in a spray bottle

Step 2: Spray the mixture evenly over the window or mirror

Step 3: Wipe with paper towel or a lint-free cloth

Ammonia for Cleaning Floors

Floors get dirty fast, and they’re a repository for bacteria. Here’s our guide to using ammonia to refresh your floors and get them sparkling.

Step 1: Mix ½ cup of liquid ammonia into ½ gallon of water

Step 2: Dip your mop in the ammonia solution and use it on the floor

Step 3: Use a brush with soft bristles to go over any stubborn spots or thick dirt

Step 4: Rinse your mop and go over the floor to remove ammonia

Step 5: Allow floor to dry

Make sure that you don’t use ammonia on non-wax floors or wooden floors, and only use ammonia to refresh your floors, not as a regular cleaner. Even when it’s diluted in water, ammonia is acidic and may damage your floor and grout if you use it too often.

Ammonia for Cleaning Clothes

If you’ve got stubborn stains on your clothes, you can make a soaking solution using ammonia.

• ⅔ cup ammonia
• ⅔ cup dish soap
• 6 Tbsp baking soda
• 2 cups water

Mix the ingredients and soak stained clothing for at least a half an hour, then wash. You can also add a cup of ammonia to your regular wash cycle to give your clothes a deep cleaning.

Ammonia for Cleaning Ovens

One of the best uses for ammonia is to remove baked-on grease and food from your electric oven. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 200° Fahrenheit

Step 2: Put two cups of ammonia in an oven-safe glass baking dish

Step 3: Put two cups of boiling water in another oven-safe glass baking dish

Step 4: Turn the oven off

Step 5: Place the dish with ammonia on the top rack and the dish with water on the bottom rack

Step 6: Close the oven door and allow to sit for between eight and 12 hours

Step 7: Wipe grease and food away using a sponge

Make sure to ventilate the area while you’re working and never use this method with a gas oven.

Check out the video below to get ideas for other ways to clean with ammonia.

Cleaning with Ammonia Dangers

Given that ammonia is a poisonous gas, it shouldn’t shock you that there are some risks involved with using it in your home. Here are a few pointers to help you avoid those risks.

• Never mix ammonia with bleach. Doing so will create lethal chlorine gas.
• Always ventilate any area where you’re cleaning with ammonia. It’s the best way to avoid respiratory issues that may be caused by exposure to high levels of ammonia.
• Rinse ammonia away after cleaning with it, especially in any area where there are kids or animals.
• If you have any type of respiratory disease, wear a mask while using ammonia.
• Don’t wear contact lenses. They may worsen eye irritation.
• Wear gloves to protect your hands if they’ll be in contact with any ammonia solution.

Environmental Impact of Ammonia-Based Cleaning Products

Did you know that ammonia is considered to be a biohazard? It’s true! Here are a few facts you should know about the potential environmental impact of ammonia.

The most important thing you should know is that releasing ammonia into the groundwater is unsafe. Even low concentrations can kill freshwater fish.

Ammonia can also kill plants. The vapors, when released, can literally burn leaves. It won’t impact the roots, but if you have a garden, be careful not to release any ammonia near your plants.

Finally, ammonia vapors will evaporate and get into the atmosphere. There’s no way to completely avoid that, but it’s important to note that after it evaporates, it can return to Earth in rain and get into the groundwater that way.

FAQ About Cleaning with Ammonia

Conclusion

Who ever thought you’d know so much about ammonia? It’s a super-versatile cleaning product that’s inexpensive to buy and easy to use in so many different areas of your home. Use the steps and tips from our Pros to make the most of ammonia and keep your home looking beautiful