Uses of Ammonia

Ammonia often plays second fiddle to bleach, but it’s one of the greatest cleaning products in your store. Here are some smart ways to use ammonia all around the house.

But always take caution using ammonia! Never mix ammonia with bleach or any product containing chlorine. The combination produces toxic gases that can be deadly. Work in a well-aired space and avoid inhaling the vapours. Wear rubber gloves and avoid getting ammonia on your skin or in your eyes. Always store ammonia out of the reach of children.

Clean your electric oven

Here’s an almost effortless way to clean an electric oven. First, turn the oven on, let it warm to 150° F (65°C), and then turn it off. Place a small oven-harmless bowl containing ½-cup ammonia on the top shelf and a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf. Close the oven door, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, remove the dish and pan, and let the oven air out a while. Then, wipe it clean using the ammonia and a few drops of dishwashing liquid diluted in a quart of warm water. Even old baked-on grease should wipe right off!

WARNING: Do not use this cleaning method with a gas oven unless the pilot lights are out and the main gas lines are shut off. 

Remove soap and grease layer

To get rid of those unpleasant soap and grease layer buildups in your porcelain enamel tub and basin, scrub them with a solution of one tablespoon ammonia in one gallon (3.7 litres) hot water. Rinse thoroughly when done.

Use ammonia to clean bathroom tiles

Make bathroom tiles shine again—and kill fungus while you’re at it—by cleaning tiled floors, backsplashes and shower enclosures with ¼-cup ammonia in 1 gallon (3.7 litres) water.

Repel moths

Send those annoying moths back to wherever they came from by washing your cupboards, drawers, and pantry shelves, with ½-cup ammonia diluted in 1 quart (1 litre) water. Leave drawers and cabinet doors open to thoroughly air-dry.

Reduce paint smells

Absorb the odour by placing small dishes of ammonia in each room that’s been painted. If the smell continues after several days, refill the dishes. Vinegar or onion slices will also work.

Clean fireplace doors

Try mixing 1 tablespoon ammonia, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 quart (1 litre) warm water in a spray bottle to remove that blackened-on dust from your glass fireplace doors. Spray on some of the solution; let it sit for several seconds, then wipe off with an absorbent cloth. Repeat if necessary—it’s worth the extra effort.

Use ammonia to clean gold and silver jewelry

Brighten up your gold and silver jewels by soaking them for 10 minutes in a solution of ½-cup clear ammonia mixed in 1 cup warm water. Gradually wipe clean with a soft cloth and let dry. Do not do this with jewelry containing pearls, because it could dull or damage their gentle surface.

Restore white shoes

Brighten up your dirty white shoes or tennis sneakers by rubbing them with a cloth dipped in half-strength ammonia—that is, a solution made of half ammonia and half water.

The post Uses of Ammonia appeared first on Masalamah.com.