With growing prices and concerns regarding the hazardous chemicals found in cleaning kits in the market, a lot of people are turning towards DIY solutions. Mixing Vinegar and Ammonia for cleaning has been a popular choice these days but should you do it? Short Answer: No. Long Answer: Find out by reading below.
Should You Mix Vinegar and Ammonia For Cleaning?
Mixing Vinegar and Ammonia for cleaning may not be the best way to do things. This isn’t because of any safety issues but because mixing these two chemicals will actually diminish their individual strengths.
The reason why a mix of these two is bad is rather straightforward when you think about it scientifically. Vinegar is a weak acid whereas Ammonia is a weak base. When mixed together, these two neutralize each other and create a saltwater solution. This process significantly decreases the cleaning power of the solution as compared to using the two individually.
So, on paper, it may seem like you’re combining the power of the two to create a super-powered solution for cleaning, you’re actually doing the opposite. It would be a better idea to use these two individually rather than mixing it. But, you can, however, mix these two with other things to increase their strength.
What Should You Mix With Ammonia For Cleaning?
Vinegar or Ammonia both can be fantastic options for cleaning. However, if the stain or the mess is just too much for these chemicals individually, you can increase their potency by adding other ingredients.
Most of the time, ammonia alone will do the job even for tough stains. Just ammonia and water will create a strong solution that will do most jobs pretty well. However, if you really need to increase the potency of ammonia even more, try adding some liquid dishwashing soap. This can be used for removing tough cloth stains, especially those from oil-based foods.
What Should You Mix With Vinegar For Cleaning?
Talking about vinegar, the best and then most-used is probably baking soda. The science behind why this combo is so effective is down to the fact that the acid in the vinegar reacts with baking soda, and releases carbon dioxide gas that helps lift dirt from surfaces. Pretty cool, right? However, make sure that you don’t mix it in equal parts.
Mixing the two will result in the solution being neutral and this is not what you want. The best way would be to mix two parts vinegar with one part baking soda which can fizz up effectively, and make it great for cleaning drains.
Another way of using it is by using vinegar first and then using a paste made from baking soda and water. This is very effective for removal of hard water stains easily.
When To Use Vinegar or Ammonia?
Vinegar and ammonia are both effective as cleaning agents. However, you should know when to use which agent for cleaning.
Both are great cleaning agents but the better option will always depend on what you’re cleaning.
Vinegar is amazing at removing hard water deposits, tarnishing from copper and brass, and rust stains. Moreover, it is also used as a disinfectant. While ammonia is often used with household cleaners for its degreasing action and used for clean glass, stainless steel and porcelain.
As mentioned in the details above, the two chemicals tend to neutralize each other. Vinegars neutralize ammonia odors like pet urine or sweat-soaked workout clothes.
For this, use a spray bottle filled with undiluted white vinegar and apply it to the affected peice of or carpet.
For clothes smelling of ammonia, add a cup of white vinegar directly to the washing machine with the garments and let them soak for around 20 minutes before turning the machine on.
While both have their merits, vinegar is mostly used over ammonia as a cleaning agent because it has fewer potential hazards.
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Things You Can Clean With Vinegar
The best things that you can use to clean with vinegar are listed below:
- Glass and mirror/window
- Fixtures, door knobs, faucets
- Trash can
- Clean mold and mildew/hard water deposits in bathroom
- Tub and shower
- Toilet
- Dishwasher & Laundry machine
- Rust
- Fruit and Vegetable
- Counter cleaner
- Tile
- Vinyl/linoleum floor
Things Not To Clean with Vinegar
The worst things you can clean with vinegar are listed below:
- Don’t use it as a routine grout cleaner- occasional is fine
- Don’t use it on unfinished wood floors or wood furniture
- Don’t use it on most stone surfaces (not usable for most natural stone counters-marble, granite, travertine, slate, soapstone)
- Don’t use it on cast iron or aluminum
- Don’t mix it with bleach or ammonia or hydrogen peroxide
- Don’t use it on tech surfaces
Things You Can Clean With Ammonia
There are the best things you can clean with ammonia:
- Surface: Tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops, and tiles
- Oils and stains: Stains from animal fats, vegetable oils, cooking grease, and wine stains on surfaces, fabrics, upholstery, and carpets
- Glass: Cleaning windows, mirrors, and crystal
- Heavy-duty cleaning power: Microwaves and electric ovens
- Jewelry: Gold, silver, platinum, or diamond jewelry
- Stove top grates
Things Not To Clean with Ammonia
Avoid cleaning these things with ammonia:
- Don’t use it for laundry, never mix it with bleach, and don’t use it on silk or wool fabrics as it can damage the natural fibers.
- Don’t use it on gemstone or pearls as it can break down the natural finish.
- Don’t use it as a floor cleaner for no-wax floors as it can cause damage to the floors.
- Don’t use it as an oven cleaner for gas ovens as the combination of ammonia and a live flame might ignite and be a risk.
FAQs:
1. Why should you not mix vinegar and ammonia?
Vinegar is a weak acid whereas Ammonia is a weak base. When mixed together, these two neutralize each other and create a saltwater solution. This process significantly decreases the cleaning power of the solution.
2. Which is better for cleaning: Vinegar or Ammonia?
Both Vinegar and Ammonia are great for cleaning purposes but each has its own strengths.
3. Why is Vinegar more popular than Ammonia for cleaning?
While both have their merits, vinegar is mostly used over ammonia as a cleaning agent because it has fewer potential hazards.
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