Using Ammonia in Laundry: The Ultimate Guide
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Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced industrial chemicals in the United States. It is used in industry and commerce, and also exists naturally in humans and in the environment.
As a laundry additive, ammonia is very versatile, able to dissolve grease, whiten whites, soften bath towels, and remove stains. However, it’s highly toxic, which is why you need to be careful when using it.
Can you mix ammonia and laundry detergent?
When mixed together, ammonia and laundry detergent combine to become an all-purpose stain remover. However, you should not mix ammonia with a detergent or household cleaner that contains bleach.
Just remember: Never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach. The result is a highly toxic gas called chloramine, which can cause headaches, nausea, coughing, chest pain, and many other symptoms.
Only use clear ammonia for your laundry -- colored products can potentially stain fabric, especially lighter colors. Clear ammonia, like this particular product, can be combined with detergent to fight stains.
What happens when you mix ammonia and laundry detergent?
When you mix ammonia and laundry detergent, you will get an effective all-purpose stain remover. The solution works on food spills, ink stains, barely-there grass stains and other marks.
The combination works because ammonia is effective at breaking down household grime or stains from animal fats or vegetable oils, such as cooking grease and wine stains. On the other hand, laundry detergents contain surfactants, which allow water to penetrate into a stain and lift the dirt particles off the fabric.
In fact, ammonia is an ingredient in many household cleaning products used to clean a variety of surfaces including tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops and tiles. Ammonia also evaporates quickly, which is why it is commonly used in glass cleaning solutions to help avoid streaking.
Is ammonia good for laundry?
Ammonia is an amazing additive for laundry because it can help to remove stains, whiten without bleach, soften fabric, and eliminate grease. It’s no wonder many people combine ammonia with detergent.
1. Remove stains
Ammonia is an effective stain remover. In fact, it can easily treat certain types of stains with minimal effort on your part. Use it to tackle blood, grass, and urine stains, as well as perspiration stains.
To make an all-purpose stain remover, mix equal parts water, ammonia, and laundry detergent in a spray bottle. Spritz the solution on stains and leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing and laundering.
For a gentler version that doesn’t need to be rinsed out, combine ½ ounce of ammonia with 1 ounce of laundry detergent and 2 cups of water. This solution is perfect for minor discolorations.
2. Whiten whites (without bleach)
Many people believe using bleach is the best way to preserve the white color in white clothes. However, not all white fabrics can handle bleach. Some materials turn yellow over time with continued use of bleach.
Adding 1 cup of ammonia to your wash cycle in place of chlorine or oxygen bleach brightens whites without harming the fibers of most materials, and it won't turn your favorite white shirt a dingy color.
3. Soften fabric
Mineral deposits from hard water can eventually make your clothes coarse. It is more noticeable in towels, where the once soft and plush fabric feels like it is exfoliating your skin. Ammonia dissolves hard water stains and makes fabric soft again. Just add 1 cup ammonia to your laundry cycle along with detergent.
4. Fight and break down grease
Ammonia can help eliminate grease. Whether it is cooking oil when cooking or motor oil when fixing your car, dab the stained area with equal parts ammonia and detergent. Then, launder with 1 cup ammonia and laundry detergent. Just make sure your detergent does not contain bleach.
How to add ammonia to my laundry
To brighten whites and remove stains without harming the fibers of most materials, add 1 cup ammonia to your wash cycle (in place of chlorine or oxygen bleach). Ammonia won't turn white shirts into a dingy color.
Where do you put ammonia in the washing machine?
Put the ammonia in the bleach compartment if you are using a front-loader washing machine. The ammonia can also be added directly to the washer drum before loading the dirty clothes and adding water.
Does ammonia take the smell out of clothes?
Ammonia is an effective laundry additive that can help get rid of smells out of clothes. Because ammonia eats through proteins, it can fight unpleasant bodily odors and remove the musty smell out of clothes.
Does ammonia sanitize laundry?
Ammonia is unlikely to kill germs and will not play a great role in sanitizing your laundry, but it is an effective stain remover when combined with laundry detergent that does not contain bleach.
Key takeaways
Now you know how to use ammonia for your laundry. Indeed, ammonia is an excellent laundry aid to fight stubborn stains and soften fabric. Just be sure to wear chemical resistant gloves and ventilate the area well when using ammonia. And never mix ammonia with anything containing bleach!
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