Ammonia

Ammonia has long been a cleaning agent, which is widely used in homes, restaurants and other public locations. The product being perfectly safe to use with little precautions, it has found applications in variety of cleansing products and is used even in the form of pure or scented ammonia in the homes.

Ammonia cleansing products are generally viscous white-coloured ammoniated abrasive cleaners, which are designed to clean and remove stubborn dirt from hard surfaces in both the household as well as industrial applications without scratching. These products combine the powerful and effective cleaning action of ammonia and a scouring medium into a liquid hard surface cleaner, which makes it highly effective. Ammonia household cleaning products are easy to work with and deliver superior cleansing results.

Ammonia cleaning products are made using a volatile alkali, which leaves no residue after drying and hence has found uses such as cleaning of glass and several other polished surfaces. These cleansing products are made using technique that uses steam, natural gas or hot coke to produce hydrogen and steam that is forced through incandescent coke to produce nitrogen. After several refinements, these gases are subjected to high pressures and temperatures.

Ammonia is widely used as a base ingredient in a variety of household cleaning products and the reason for this is that there are a very few surfaces, which cannot be effectively cleaned with ammonia. The product can be used in its full strength and also in its dilute form by diluting it with water. For example, ammonia can be used in a great way to clean windows to get a clear and steak-free looking room.

Ammonia Chemistry
Ammonia (NH3),occurs in the form of strong smelling gas or liquid. This alkaline substance has found high popularity for uses in consumer and commercial cleansing products to clean grime or fertilizer crops. Even in its very low concentration or dilute form, inhalation of ammonia or getting its solution on the skin can cause burning, fainting, or death, and so it should always be handled with care.

Ammonia has one nitrogen atom, which is tightly bonded with three hydrogen atoms. A tiny amount of the ammonia is formed, when the organic matter is decomposed and hence the gas can be found naturally in our atmosphere. However, most of the ammonia that we use is developed through artificial means by bonding the four atoms (1 Nitrogen + 3 Hydrogen) together by sheer force. After this, the gas can be pressurized to convert it into liquid form for easy distribuition to manufacturing plants.

As a gas, ammonia is lighter than air, and hence does not pool indoors, such as other dangerous gases like propane. As the gas has a highly distinctive and pungent odor, it is very clear and difficult to combust unless highly concentrated. The distinct smell of this gas makes it safer for household applications, as the people can easily recognize it and leave the toxic area to prevent fainting.

Applications
Ammonia has found uses in a variety of cleansing applications, including -

• Cleaning and disinfecting kitchen counter tops
  
  
• Bathroom cleaning, such as cleaning of bathroom fixtures, tiles and floor
  
  
• Cleaning of a variety of household products
  
  
• Used as an ingredient in various cleansing products, such as window sprays, oven foam, toilet bowl cleansers, wax removers and countertop sprays among various household cleaners
  
  
• It is also used in the manufacturing of plastics, pesticides, and dyes during the synthesising process
  
  
• Liquid ammonia has also found to be useful in etching metals, such as aluminum and copper, refrigerate rooms or trucks, and dissolve other elements in chemistry labs

Precautions
While using ammonia or ammonia solutions, even in dilute form, it is important to ensure that the room or area is well ventilated. Also make that, ammonia should never be mixed with other household cleansing agents, like bleach, as the resulting fumes can be highly toxic. For just about any application other than the fabric, a mixture of ammonia with a little amount of water will do the job with same effectiveness as any other commercial cleanser for a fraction of cost.

People suffering from chronic respiratory problems should not use this chemical as it fumes may cause problems, such as a burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, laryngitis and watery eyes. Exposure to ammonia fumes for a long period of time may damage to liver, kidneys and lungs.