How to Make Soapy Ammonia Cleaning Solution

Last Updated: May 28, 2021 References Approved

A favorite cleaning product is "Sudsy Ammonia" - a pre-mixed cleaner readily available in most US supermarkets. It is not readily available elsewhere, or you might not be able to find it. Since "Sudsy Ammonia" is a trade name, this is called "Soapy Ammonia." You'll be able to make gallons of soapy ammonia solution from the one bottle of pure ammonia and save money over the supermarket price. Vary the concentration, depending upon the job. Use it without the detergent for windows instead of brand name window cleaners.

Steps

1
Locate concentrate ammonia solution. It's readily available in supermarkets in the household cleaner sections of larger supermarkets in the US. Otherwise, try hardware shops and places that sell industrial cleaners. You will probably want to buy the smallest possible bottle since you won't need a lot.
2
Use rubber gloves and goggles - ammonia can burn skin and eyes.^{[1]
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3
Be sure to make your mixture in a well-ventilated area.^{[2]
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4
Do NOT lean over the bottles while you are pouring.^{[3]
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5
Organize this task so that you will be pouring over a sink just in case there is any dripping.
6
Use a 12 oz. plastic bottle spray bottle. These are widely available in grocery stores, chain stores, hardware stores. Basic safety rules say never reuse old commercial cleaner bottles. Old labels or color schemes can be confusing, and new bottles are inexpensive.
7
First Fill the bottle with tap water. Always add ammonia to water, not the other way around
8
Pour out a third of a cup of water from the bottle to make room for the ammonia.
9
With a funnel, pour about a third of a cup of ammonia into the bottle.^{[4]
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10
Add a squirt of dishwashing liquid.^{[5]
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11
Close the bottle tightly.
12
Shake gently.
13
Write "Soapy Ammonia" on the bottle with the indelible marker.
14
Write "Danger: Do not mix with Bleach"^{[6]
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15
Write "POISON" and keep the mixture, and the bottle of ammonia out of children's reach.
16
Write the US Poison Control number 1-800-222-1222 on the bottle.^{[7]
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U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I mix vinegar, water and ammonia together for cleaning countertops?

Community Answer

Don't combine ammonia and vinegar in the cleaning solution. Ammonia is an alkali and vinegar is an acid, so the two cancel each other out and become neutral, losing all cleaning power.
Question

Do I need to rinse or do a water application after cleaning with the sudsy ammonia?

Randa Slater

Community Answer

Yes. Soap attracts dirt, so if you don't rinse after using the solution, your newly cleaned area will become dirty again much faster.
Question

Is there any need to add perfume?

Community Answer

The dish soap you use is probably scent enough. Plus, you never know how some ingredients combine, so I wouldn't add anything.

Warnings

Never mix ammonia with bleach. It will form chloramine gas, which will kill you.

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Do not use on a car window with UV protection or tinting - ammonia will remove it. Just use water or a cleaning detergent for car windows.

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When marking as "poison", also clearly label what the ingredients are and to not mix with bleach. This should also be rinsed from areas where bleach could ever be used.

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