Is Ammonia a Safe Cleaning Agent

Ammonia is commonly used in household cleaning supplies and is technically called as ammonium hydroxide. It is useful for cleaning glass and surface, can be used as jewelry cleaning solutions, and can also be used as disinfectant aerosol sprays. Read to know is ammonia a safe cleaning agent.

If ammonia is exposed to open air, it turns itself into gas with a pungent odor. Most o f the household cleaners include 5 to 10 percent of concentration which makes it lighter to harm an adult. However, it still causes harm to mouth, eyes, nose, lung irritation to sensitive individuals. Therefore, it is important to use correctly and stay out of the reach of children. Some basic precautions are required to take like ventilating the room after using ammonia and wearing rubber gloves to avoid skin irritation. Overall, ammonia functions as an effective cleaning agent and comes as an inexpensive liquid.

Ammonia is a potential ingredient that can easily harm people or pets than other chemical-based household products. It is advised to keep away from the reach of children or pets.

Process and Safety

Before starting cleaning procedure, you should open the windows to let the air pass. Also turn on the ceiling fans which help removing the odor out of the door or window. If there is no ceiling fan or air vent nearby then place a small box fan in the window that will help ventilating it. Through this pets and children will not be affected from the strong odor of ammonia. Basically, the fumes of ammonia affect them seriously than it affects the adults.

One more thing that you should know is to avoid mixing ammonia with any other common household cleansers or soaps. They can include chlorine bleach where two compounds coming into contact can lead chemical reaction and release of toxic gases into the air. If you inhale this gas, it may lead to nose irritation, fluid build-up in the lungs, and swelling of lungs and throat. Some people also experience chest pain, watering eyes, wheezing, and coughing. Even nausea can take place after breathing this chemical compound. A living being exposed to high level chlorine gas will immediately require medical attention.

What You Can Clean?

Through this ammonia, you can clean glass windows, stainless steel surfaces, tempered glass stove tops, kitchen counters, and porcelain fixtures. It can be added in a spray bottle for perfect cleaning of surfaces. Spray is actually a good option for shiny surfaces as it will not leave any streaks. One can use ammonia to remove soap and water spots from mirrors or glass doors. It brings back the original shine to the surface.

What Not to Do?

If the floor is not waxed then ammonia can even damage the floor. So if you have specialty tiles and fabrics like upholstery and carpeting then avoid using ammonia or seek professional help. Some may also recommend using ammonia for cleaning sofas or carpets, but before that testing it on a small area is must. There may me situations that the cleaner removed the color from material or leave a mark that is worse than the stain. Since ammonia reacts with bleach, any surfaces without testing must not be cleaned. Even if they are not mixed directly, there are chances that chemical traces remain behind and interact with the other.

Toxic Substance and Symptoms

Ammonia is a toxic or poisonous substance as considered by the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR). It has a pungent gas that can irritate or can lead to chemical reaction like burning mucous membranes present in mouth, nose, eyes, and lungs. Exposure to high level ammonia is not allowed as it can even kill someone. Apart from the above mentioned symptoms, the most common symptoms received from ammonia are mouth pain, throat pain, hallucinations, lip swelling, rapid heartbeat, and blindness. Seek immediate medical help if these symptoms persist. Ammonia is a good cleaning agent, but it is not always a safe cleaning agent as it requires knowledge of how to use and how to avoid toxicity.