What Cleaning Products Contain Ammonia?

Regular cleaning plays a pivotal role in maintaining a sterilised and hygienic home environment. It can reduce dust, dirt, and grime accumulation while keeping harmful germs and ailments at bay.

However, choosing the right cleaning products is crucial. This is because most store-bought household cleaning agents, degreasers, disinfectants, and room fresheners contain harmful chemicals, including Ammonia. Ammonia is one of the most active ingredients that can effectively cut through buildup grease, kill mould infestation, remove organic stains, sparkle glass surfaces, disinfect a toilet seat, and much more.

Unfortunately, its colourless gas and toxic fumes can cause air pollution and lead to various health concerns, including respiratory disorders. So, for effective results, it is good to read the labels before buying cleaners and follow the precautionary measures when using such chemicals.

Here is an easy guide outlining household cleaning products that contain ammonia as an active ingredient. We have also compiled safe and natural alternatives to help you maintain a healthy home on the Gold Coast.

Let’s Get Started!

1. What is Ammonia?

Ammonia (NH₃) is a component of nitrogen and hydrogen. It is a colourless gas with a pungent and strong smell. It can be produced naturally from decomposing plant and animal wastes and some specific bacteria in the soil.

The chemical is commonly found in fertilisers and traditional cleaning products. Though ammonia is versatile and effective, it should be used with caution because of its harmful compounds. Using it undiluted on delicate surfaces for cleaning can cause further damage.

Thus, it is good to call professional Bond Cleaners Gold Coast at the end of a tenancy. They carefully use cleaning products and deliver sparkling results without leaving toxic fumes behind.

2. List of Cleaning Products Containing Ammonia

Most store-bought or traditional cleaning products you often use at home contain ammonia as the main ingredient. This includes:

• Multi-surface Cleaners: Household all-purpose cleaning sprays usually contain 5 to 10 per cent ammonia to help you clean ceilings and remove stains from multiple surfaces. Some stronger products might reach up to 25 per cent- which can be hazardous.
• Window Cleaners: The exact amount may vary depending from brand to brand. However, it can leave your windows clean and shiny.
• Toilet Cleaning Products: “Ammonia” or “ammonium hydroxide” is often listed in the ingredients of household toilet cleaners.
• Glass and Mirror Cleaners: The chemical is used in a small quantity but can cut through grease and grime without elbow grease.
• Drain Cleaners: Although the main ingredients in drain cleaners are sodium hydroxide or sulfuric acid, a small percentage of it is still present. Unfortunately, using undiluted ammonia can be corrosive to pipes and cause further plumbing damage.
• Oven Cleaning Products: Traditional oven cleaning products contain various caustic chemicals, including ammonia, to effectively cut through grease and oil stains.
• Stainless Steel Cleaners: Ammonia can help remove fingerprints, stains and grime with ease.
• Floor Cleaners: The nitrogen and hydrogen components can be effective chemicals for certain floor types. However, it is always good to do a patch test to prevent discolouration.

Tip: Check the label before buying a bottle of a fancy cleaning product to see whether it contains ammonia. It is often labelled as ammonium hydroxide.

3. Why is Ammonia Present in Most Cleaning Products?

The chemical is strong and effective in terms of breaking down dirt molecules, oil and grease stains from a variety of surfaces. Using the right amount of product can help you get rid of mould and mildew from most overlooked places and that’s why expert bond cleaners Gold Coast use such products. Ammonia can help you get rid of:

• Soap scum
• Caked-on grease and gunk
• Burnt food particles
• Calcium deposits
• Rust stains
• Banish certain household germs, etc

4. What are the Health & Environment Concerns of Using Ammonia?

Of course, store-bought cleaning products are effective and can save you time and energy, but ammonia comes with various safety concerns for humans as well as the environment. Have a look at the breakdown:

Health Concerns

Prolonged exposure to ammonia-based cleaners can cause respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties, especially in people with allergies and asthma. It can also cause eye irritation, a burning sensation, and redness. Even swallowing ammonia can lead to life-threatening hazards, causing burns to the throat and stomach.

Tip: When using ammonia-based products, it is advisable to ensure proper ventilation and wear safety gear. Diluted cloudy ammonia can also be used to clean surfaces.

Environmental Impacts

Ammonia’s toxic fumes can pollute waterways and the air, especially when used indoors. They can also increase greenhouse gas emissions into the air and be toxic to aquatic organisms and other beings in the ecosystem. Using sustainable ways to reduce carbon deposits into the environment can be a good decision.

5. Safe Alternatives to Ammonia-Based Cleaners

Here are eco-friendly alternatives to ammonia-based cleaning products that can help you maintain a healthy and shiny abode:

• White Vinegar: This acidic product removes stubborn stains from almost all surfaces except natural stone. Use it to clean glass surfaces, mirrors, carpets, bathroom surfaces, kitchen appliances, etc.
• Lemon: Use the power of this citric fruit to cut through grease and grime from multiple surfaces.
• Baking Soda: This versatile product can help neutralise bad smells and tough stains and kill germs from natural stone surfaces like marble, limestone and granite countertops and maintain a clean kitchen on a daily basis.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Use 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide to remove mould stains from ceilings, walls and curtains.
• Rubbing Alcohol: Use this product with precaution to disinfect contaminated surfaces in your home.

However, it is always good to book experts for a budget bond cleaning Gold Coast for a hassle-free retrieval of bond money. They follow the safety guidelines and bring tried and tested products to deliver top-notch cleaning results.

A Guide on Cleaning Products with Ammonia

Wrapping up

Ammonia is one of the powerful chemicals present in various traditional cleaning products. It can effectively remove stains and grime but can lead to various health concerns. However, you can follow the safety measures and keep the room ventilated. You can also avoid the products listed in the article and switch to eco-friendly options for your home.