Ammonium Hydroxide - Samantha Mickelberry

Figure 1.0: A favorite cleaner on trial. Photo credit SM

Is Windex spraying away your health? Windex is a cleaning product that I use regularly around my house for cleaning windows and mirrors. This usage raised the question: What is in my favorite cleaning products? One of the ingredients in Windex, among other cleaning supplies, is ammonium hydroxide. It can also be found in food where it is used to balance pH, in the production of textiles, soaps and pharmaceuticals, in explosives and even for fireproofing wood (3). The chemical formula for ammonium hydroxide is NH₄OH and is produced by passing ammonia through water. It is a colorless liquid with a strong, recognizable odor and sharp taste (1). Ammonium hydroxide does have a pretty big list of health risks to humans. The fumes can cause airway and lung irritation, breathing problems, and burning of eyes, noes and skin. Higher concentrations can cause more severe effects including low blood pressure and changes to blood         

pH (4). So how can we get the same cleaning effects of Windex and other cleaning products without potentially risking out lives?

Natural cleaning ingredients! These natural alternatives include the following (2):

·         Baking soda- scrubbing and polishing

·         Kosher salt- heavy duty abrasive/scrubbing

·         Vinegar- natural alternative to ammonia

·         Olive oil and mineral oil- furniture polish

·         Lemon juice- deodorizing alternative

A simple, natural mixture that can mimic Windex is by mixing 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water (2). Place the mixture into a spray bottle and wah-lah! You have yourself a natural cleaning product that will not burn your skin or cause low blood pressure….bonus!  For more information on this chemical and the natural alternatives to cleaning supplies, please visit the links provided below.

1) Fisher Scientific. (2008). Material Saftey Data Sheet: Ammonium Hydroxide Water Solution. Retrieved October 21, 2013 from http://www.ch.ntu.edu.tw/~genchem99/msds/exp21/Ammonium%20hydroxide%20water%20solution.pdf

2) GreenTip. (2013). Green Cleaning. Retrieved Nov 1, 2013 from http://www.co.guilford.nc.us/planning_cms/docs/greentip/GreenTip18_cleaning.pdf

3) Lewis, R. (2001). Ammonium Hydroxide. In Hawley’s Condensed Chemical Dictioinary. (14^th ed., pp63). New York, New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc.

4) MedlinePlus. (2013). Ammonium hydroxide poisoning. Retrieved October 21, 2013 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002491.htm