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Is Ammonia Safe for Cleaning?

posted by Annie B. Bond Dec 5, 1999 10:54 pm
2 comments

Q: I’ve been trying to track down a recipe I remember for cleaning the house using vinegar, water, ammonia and baking soda. Do you know it? —Michelle, Canada

A: I never recommend using ammonia.

* When ammonia is combined with bleach highly toxic gases are released, which can be fatal.

* Ammonia also is poisonous, a suspected mutagen, corrosive, and explosive when exposed to flame!

* It is highly irritating fume to the eyes, nose, and lungs.

* As for the combination of ingredients you list, acidic vinegar will neutralize the highly alkaline ammonia and baking soda, making them all worthless for cleaning.

Check out the many cleaning recipes in the Healthy Home section of Healthy Living!

More on Health & Safety (196 articles available)
More from Annie B. Bond (3247 articles available)

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Catman P.

Only use ammonia when well ventolated from the fumes.

Mr A.
  • Mr A. says
  • Sep 16, 2009 1:06 PM

People have been using ammonia safely since antiquity! The human body has a relatively strong resistance to ammonia as it's produced as part of the natural biological process and is in practically everything, including rain-water so we have enzymes to break it down! So long as you don't mix it with bleach or drink it, then it's fine!

Can you show a reliable source saying it's mutagenic too? I can only find dubious internet scaremongers saying this when I googled, probably reapeating one another. Is there a respected, scientific article we can see this in?

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