The kit · alkali
Household ammonia: what it removes and where never to use it
Clear household ammonia, about 5–10% ammonium hydroxide. Used very diluted.
- pH
- 11–12
- Safe on
- 0 materials
- Never on
- 5 materials
- Used in
- 0 files
01 How to use it
About 1 tbsp (15 ml) in ½ cup (120 ml) of water, dabbed on, then rinsed. Ventilate.
- Never mix with chlorine bleach: it releases toxic chloramine gas.
- Its smell is close to urine and can draw pets back to the same spot.
How it works
Alkalis break down fats and acidic soils and help detergents work. Strong alkalis damage protein fibres such as wool and silk, and can dull stone and wood finishes.
On a label
On an ingredient list, ammonia shows up as ammonium hydroxide, ammonia or "ammonia D".
Ammonia is ruled out on a wool sweater, silk, a wool rug, leather and suede. Avoid routine home use on marble, granite, a quartz countertop and a wood table. The table gives general restrictions; an unlisted restriction is not proof that a product is compatible.
02 What it works on
- Protein
- Oil and fat
- Pigment particles
Ammonia is strongest against protein and oil and fat, and useful on protein.
03 Where it is safe
| Material | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wool and cashmere | Never | Alkalis damage wool and silk; ammonia yellows and weakens them. |
| Silk | Never | Alkalis damage wool and silk; ammonia yellows and weakens them. |
| Wool rug | Never | Alkalis damage wool and silk; ammonia yellows and weakens them. |
| Leather | Never | It strips and darkens leather. |
| Suede and nubuck | Never | It discolours suede. |
| Marble | Avoid | Regular ammonia dulls marble polish; stone cleaners are pH-neutral. |
| Granite | Avoid | It breaks down granite sealer. |
| Quartz countertop | Avoid | Quartz makers advise against strong alkalis. |
| Wood furniture and floors | Avoid | Ammonia darkens oak and other tannin-rich woods (that is how "fumed oak" is made) and dulls finishes. |
| Clothes | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| White shirt | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Jeans | Test first | It can shift indigo; test first. |
| Linen | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Sheets and bedding | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Towels | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Baby clothes | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Polyester | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Leggings and activewear | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Rayon and viscose | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Carpet | Test first | An old method for synthetic carpet; never on wool, never on pet urine, and never with bleach. |
| Fabric couch | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Microfiber couch | Test first | Test first; it can shift dyes. |
| Velvet upholstery | Test first | Alkalis can change some dyes; test a seam. |
| Car seats | Test first | Test first; it can shift dyes. |
| Mattress | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| White sneakers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Tile grout | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
| Painted walls | Test first | Diluted, it is a standard wall cleaner; it can dull flat paint. |
| Plastic containers | Test first | No material-specific permission is established by this general entry. Check the exact item and product labels and pretest; if compatibility is unknown, consult the manufacturer or a professional. |
04 Mixing
The combinations people ask about most, and what actually happens.
- Can you mix chlorine bleach and ammonia? Toxic chloramine vapours
- Can you mix white vinegar and ammonia? Pointless an ammonium salt
- Can you mix baking soda and ammonia? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix hydrogen peroxide and ammonia? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix ammonia and dish soap? Caution a product-dependent combination
- Can you mix ammonia and rubbing alcohol? Caution a product-dependent combination
05 Questions
What stains does ammonia remove?
It works best on protein.
How do you use ammonia safely?
About 1 tbsp (15 ml) in ½ cup (120 ml) of water, dabbed on, then rinsed. Ventilate. Never mix with chlorine bleach: it releases toxic chloramine gas.
What should you never mix with ammonia?
chlorine bleach. Bleach and ammonia react to form chloramines, toxic vapours that cause coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, and in a confined space can lead to fluid in the lungs. Do not combine commercial cleaners unless their exact manufacturers explicitly permit the use.
Where should you never use ammonia?
On a wool sweater, silk, a wool rug, leather and suede. Alkalis damage wool and silk; ammonia yellows and weakens them.