What is Ammonia?

Ammonia, which is a gas in its original state, is one of the most commonly produced industrial chemicals in the U.S. Ammonium hydroxide (aka ammonia mixed with water) is a cleaning product that breaks down oils and grime, which is why it’s used in many household products to eradicate the gross stuff that gets stuck in your tile grout. Although ammonia is produced naturally from the decomposition of organic matter, it can be corrosive to skin, eyes, and lungs. This colorless gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen is also formed naturally in soil from bacterial processes in the nitrogen cycle. When an organism dies or expels waste, the nitrogen in its tissues is decomposed by fungi and prokaryotes. This process then releases inorganic nitrogen into the ecosystem as ammonia. 

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Is Ammonia “good”?

Ammonia is “good” for cleaning grout, but it’s not “good” for human health. While ammonia is a naturally occurring substance, its corrosive properties upon contact with skin, eyes, lungs can make it dangerous for human use. Ammonia can have adverse environmental effects as well. Though it occurs naturally at low, nontoxic levels, higher levels of ammonia released into waterways can be lethal to aquatic life. Ammonia vapors can also be toxic to livestock and lead to crop yield loss and other vegetation loss. 

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Because ammonia is an ingredient in cleaning products, it can accidentally be mixed with bleach to produce a toxic gas called chloramine. This can lead to pneumonia or even fatality when inhaled in acute doses. Luckily, there are some safe alternatives. A homemade mixture of baking soda and white distilled vinegar has been shown to remove grime without ammonia. Combining the acid (baking soda) and the base (vinegar) creates salty water and carbon dioxide gas that can help lift dirt from the surfaces being cleaned. These common kitchen supplies don’t release noxious gasses, making them a great substitute to ammonia.

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What kind of products are made with Ammonia?

Ammonia is a widely produced chemical that is used in various cleaning products like window and glass cleaner, bathtub and tile cleaner, and kitchen and oven cleaner. It can also be found in fertilizers because the nitrogen can increase plant production extensively. 

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Are there certifications I should look out for?

To avoid cleaning products that contain ammonia,  look out for the EPA Safer Choice label. Products with this label meet more strict safety criteria for both human and environmental health, so they're safer for you, your family, your pets, workers’ health, fish, and the environment.

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Still want to learn more? Check out some of our favorite references:

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• The Best Natural Tub & Tile Cleaner | Finch
• The Facts About Ammonia.
• Ammonia vs. Bleach (Uses, Safety, Pros, Cons) - Prudent Reviews
• The Nitrogen Cycle: Processes, Players, and Human Impact | Learn Science at Scitable.
• Dangers of Mixing Bleach with Cleaners | Washington State Department of Health
• https://www.mda.state.mn.us/ecological-effects-ammonia