How to Deep Clean With Ammonia

Keeping your home clean does not require expensive chemicals.

A versatile cleaning liquid, ammonia has a wide array of uses inside the home. From windows to floors, ammonia will provide a deep-down clean that cuts through grease and grime. Unfortunately, ammonia can be dangerous, and you must take the proper safety precautions when using it. Always ventilate the air when cleaning with ammonia. The ammonia fumes can cause headaches and nausea. Furthermore, never mix ammonia with chlorine bleach. Doing so will create dangerous fumes.

Things You'll Need

• Spray bottle
• Lint-free cloths
• Dust mop
• Sponge mop
• Scrub brush
• Towels

Instructions

Windows and Glass

1. Mix 3 cups cold water with 1 cup of ammonia. Pour into a spray bottle.

2. Mist the windows or glass with the mixture.

3. Wipe the surface clean with a lint-free cloth.

Tiles

1. Remove the dust and dirt from the tiles with a dust mop.

2. Mix together 1/4 cup of ammonia with 1 gallon of cool water. Dampen a sponge mop in the mixture and wring out the excessive diluted ammonia.

3. Mop the tiles with the damp sponge mop as you normally would. Rinse the mixture off the tiles with cool water and let air-dry.

Sinks, Showers and Tubs

1. Dampen a scrub brush in a mixture of 1 gallon of hot water and 1 tbsp. of ammonia.

2. Scrub the sinks, showers and tubs vigorously with the damp scrub brush.

3. Rinse the surface clean with cool water and wipe dry with a towel.

Carpet and Upholstery Stains

1. Dilute 1 cup of ammonia in 1/2 gallon of water.

2. Dip the corner of a lint-free cloth in the ammonia mixture and blot the stain thoroughly.

3. Rinse the ammonia off the carpet or upholstery by blotting with a cloth dampened in cool water. Pat dry with a towel.

References

• "Reader's Digest": Home and Garden Uses for Ammonia
• New York State Department of Health: The Facts About Ammonia
• University of Nebraska--Lincoln Extension Lancaster County; Tips for Cleaning Windows; Lorene Bartos