Quck answer
Ammonia is a versatile cleaning agent that can be used effectively in the laundry. Here are some tips on how to use ammonia to improve your laundry routine:
1. Stain removal: Mix equal parts of water and ammonia and apply it directly to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes before laundering as usual.
2. Brightening whites: Add 1/4 cup of ammonia to your regular laundry detergent when washing white clothes. It helps to remove yellowing and keeps them bright.
3. Odor elimination: For smelly clothes, add 1/2 cup of ammonia to the wash cycle. It helps to neutralize odors and leaves your laundry smelling fresh.
4. Removing buildup: To get rid of detergent residue or fabric softener buildup, add 1 cup of ammonia to a hot water cycle. It will help to dissolve and remove the buildup.
Remember to always follow safety precautions when using ammonia, such as wearing gloves and ensuring proper ventilation.
Ammonia was a common ingredient in laundry for many years, although it may seem unusual compared to modern detergents and solvents. It is still an effective additive for softening fabrics, brightening whites, and removing stains such as ink, blood, grease, rust, and grass.
However, it is important to use ammonia in the laundry correctly. Here are some tips on how to incorporate ammonia into your laundry routine.
Warning
Do not mix ammonia with chlorine bleach, as it produces a toxic gas. Be cautious when using ammonia with other cleaning products, such as dish soaps, that may contain bleach. Always read the product label to ensure it does not contain bleach or any chlorine compounds before mixing it with ammonia.
1. Treating Stains
If you encounter stains on your white clothes, try using ammonia instead of bleach or stain pens. Ammonia can effectively remove various stains with minimal effort, especially when applied as soon as possible. Remember to remove stains before putting the garment in the dryer, as drying them will set the stains and make them harder to remove.
Here is how you can treat stains with ammonia:
|
Sweat and pencil marks |
Undiluted ammonia |
Apply ammonia directly to the stain, let it sit for a few minutes, and then rinse. |
|
Blood, urine, and grass stains |
50/50 ammonia and water mixture |
Dab the mixture generously on the stain before washing. |
|
Dried paint |
50/50 ammonia and turpentine mixture |
Thoroughly wet the stain multiple times, then launder the garment. |
|
Generic greasy (nonoily) stain |
Mix equal parts ammonia, water, and dishwashing liquid |
Spray the mixture directly onto the stain, let it sit for about three minutes, and then rinse. |
Warning
Only use clear ammonia in the laundry, as colored ammonia products can potentially stain fabric, especially lighter colors. Avoid using ammonia on wool or silk, as it can damage these fabrics due to its protein-eating properties.
2. Whiten Without Bleach
Instead of using chlorine bleach, which can cause damage to some fabrics, you can use ammonia to whiten both whites and colors without any harm. While bleach can turn some materials yellow and cause damage, ammonia is safe for most fabrics, except for wool and silk.
To whiten your laundry, simply add 1/2 cup of ammonia to your washing machine along with your regular laundry detergent. Just make sure that your detergent does not contain bleach. By combining ammonia and detergent, you can safely brighten your colored clothes without worrying about damaging bleach-sensitive materials or dulling your white garments.
3. Fix Scratchy or Nonabsorbent Towels
If your bath towel feels rough and scratchy, it may be due to hard water residue. The minerals in hard water can cause the fibers in the towel to clump together, making it feel less plush. Ammonia can dissolve these deposits, allowing the fibers to separate and restore the towel’s softness.
In addition, if your towel is no longer absorbent and instead smears water across your skin, it may have a buildup of oils from fabric softener and dryer sheets. Ammonia can dissolve these oils, refreshing the towel’s absorbency.
To address both issues, simply add 1 cup of ammonia to your laundry cycle instead of using detergent.
Tip
To prevent hard water buildup, you can invest in a water softener or add 1/2 cup of baking soda to each load of laundry. To maintain the absorbency of your towels, avoid using fabric softener and dryer sheets. Instead, add 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar to your washer’s fabric softener dispenser to reduce static and increase softness.
4. Eliminate Grease
If you accidentally get grease stains on your clothes, ammonia can help remove them. It’s important to act quickly and apply the ammonia solution to the stain as soon as possible for best results. Mix equal parts grease-fighting dish detergent and ammonia, then launder the garment with 1 cup of ammonia and your regular detergent. Again, make sure your detergent does not contain bleach.
Tip
After washing, set your washer to run an extra rinse cycle to ensure that all the ammonia and excess soap suds are rinsed out of the fabric.
FAQ
Does ammonia remove odors?
Yes, ammonia can remove unpleasant odors from your laundry. It is effective in lifting tough stains and odors, including perspiration and gasoline. By using ammonia as a pretreatment or adding it to the wash cycle, you can eliminate tough odors. However, it’s important to use as little ammonia as possible to avoid leaving an ammonia smell on your clothes after washing.
Is it safe to mix ammonia with detergent?
It is safe to mix ammonia and laundry detergent as long as the detergent does not contain bleach. Mixing ammonia and bleach can create a dangerous gas, so always check the detergent label before combining ammonia and detergent.
Is ammonia safe for colored clothes?
Although ammonia is generally considered safe for colored clothes, it is always better to err on the side of caution. Before treating or washing a garment with ammonia, it is recommended to perform a color-fastness test in a discreet area to ensure that you will not regret using ammonia on your favorite shirt.
Is ammonia effective as a disinfectant?
While ammonia is a powerful tool for removing stains and cleaning, it does not have disinfectant properties. Household ammonia is not capable of killing viruses such as COVID, and it should not be relied upon as a disinfectant.
