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Cleaning Up:  Ammonia in the Laundry  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 29 2016 : 11:31:53 AM
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Hi girls -
Have or do any of you use ammonia in your laundry? I have been searching for a natural booster for my laundry to help with odor on our son's work clothes. Recently I purchased a big bottle of ammonia in order to make homemade "miracle grow" for the garden, and lo and behold, the back of the bottle recommends using ammonia as a laundry booster! I did some research online and learned how wonderful it is supposed to be for several reasons, especially for deodorizing and stain removal while keeping your clothing static-free and fluffy. It can apparently even be used on wool blankets! WOW! The one warning I've read everywhere, however is that YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT and SHOULD NOT USE AMMONIA WITH CHLORINE BLEACH - the fumes could kill you!
After reading up on it, I decided to try it. Our son's work clothes are in the laundry right now... I am anxious to see how it works. The bottle said to use one cup per load, but I didn't use quite that amount... Although it apparently washes clean away in the laundry and should not leave any ammonia scent behind, he has sensitive skin and I don't want to overdue it on the first try! I'll let you know how it goes.
If you're interested in learning more, I found this particular website quite helpful: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2448255/do-any-of-you-use-ammonia-in-your-laundry BUT, truthfully, I'd go by our farmgirl's sisters' words on the matter more than anyone else's.
What do you think, girls? Any wisdom or insight to share?
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jul 29 2016 11:32:50 AM |
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ceejay48
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm/Sharpshooter
13568 Posts
CeeJay (CJ)
Dolores
Colorado
USA
13568 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 29 2016 : 3:22:53 PM
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Well, I have to say, CJ: I am impressed! The clothes came out of the washer smelling fresher than ever. Then I put them in the dryer without any type of dryer sheet, and they turned out soft, fluffy and static-free with the exception of a polyester winter work shirt my son pulled out of his car at the last minute. THAT was static-y as all get. Other than that, even his florescent yellow safety shirts were super clean and bright, and his work jeans look really clean. Amazing. And they don't smell funky at all - they are just fresh! I think I'm going to try using a half-cup next time, just to see how little I really need to use. Other than that, next time, weather permitting, I'm going to see how nicely they turn out when hung outside on the line! :)
Now we just have to see how it affects my son's sensitive skin. If all goes well, this will be a nice inexpensive laundry booster and fabric softener, for sure!
Ammonia in the laundry... I never would've guessed it in a million years! Cool! You know, come to think of it, before I even found the recipe for homemade "miracle grow," I had no idea for what purpose ammonia was even used, other than to grow crystals in homeschool science! LOL!
I'll keep you posted!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on Jul 29 2016 3:24:13 PM |
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Madelena
True Blue Farmgirl
1919 Posts
Mary
Central
TX
USA
1919 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2016 : 2:05:55 PM
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READ READ. ... SAFETY ALERT..... DO NOT !!! Mix bleach with dish washing products...
They often contain an ammonium compound -- think ammonia like--- and can react badly with bleach and
Some may create toxic fumes. Often it is NOT included in the list of ingredients on the label. Just assume....
You can mix bleach with most laundry detergents.
"There is no unbelief: Whoever plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see it push away the clod, he trusts in God." (Kate Douglas Wiggin) |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Jul 31 2016 : 4:42:49 PM
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I'm very glad you said that, Mary... Thank you! I do use dish liquid (Dawn) for removing spots on my clothing, but I've never used it with bleach... I will keep that in mind, for sure!!! Awesome advice! You ROCK farmgirl! Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 01 2016 : 8:38:53 PM
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Okay, now I've tried several loads using ammonia... I don't use much, though... I don't think that is really necessary. I've only been using 1/4 - 1/2 cup per load depending upon the size of the load. Our clothes smell fresh, the colors look bright and clean... It's a wow situation! And my son's sensitive skin doesn't seem to be irritated at all. Pretty cool stuff!
Oh, and remember not to breathe in the ammonia - OR bleach - and to never ever ever use them together... And remember what Mary said, above, too!!! Never mix bleach with dish washing products, either!!
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9245 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9245 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Aug 03 2016 : 08:47:46 AM
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Hi Denise! Apparently, it can be used on any color without fading, and I have found this to be true... So, yes, I've used it on darks as well as lights and whites (the whites mentioned here were not done separately - there were a couple of white wash cloths that sneaked into my light load, and they turned out just fine!) Again, though, I would never mix bleach with ammonia, so I am a little hesitant to do an entire white load, which I normally do with a little bleach, using ammonia instead - I just wonder if there could be bleach residue on the whites that would mix with the ammonia and create a dangerous situation. So, I'm going to keep my whites separate and just wash those with bleach. Also, again, I DO NOT use an entire cup of ammonia with my colors... I just don't find this to be necessary. I have gone down to a quarter cup and seen the same clean, bright, fluffy, fresh-smelling results. :) I think greasy work clothes might warrant using a little more, but I haven't needed to do that yet. We shall see! :) Hugs - Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2016 : 11:09:52 AM
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Thanks Nini. 1/4 cup works for us. Thanks for the tip.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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MaryJanesNiece
True Blue Farmgirl
6699 Posts
Krista
Utah
USA
6699 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2016 : 12:05:52 PM
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I am so glad I came across this. My husbands clothes always smell stinky from working on vehicles and don't seem to smell any better after they are washed. I am going to try this now and see how well they help his clothes out.
Krista |
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lovinRchickens
True Blue Farmgirl
3435 Posts
Kelly
Pipe Creek
Texas
USA
3435 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 2:47:42 PM
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I have tried it now also. It works great. Thanks for the tip on it Nini.
Farmgirl #5111
Farmgirl of the month October 2014
Blessings
~Kelly~ |
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6812 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6812 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 2:57:23 PM
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It's gotten good reviews so I have added it to my shopping list to give it a try.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Oct 15 2016 : 4:54:57 PM
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SO glad it's working for you, girls, and so glad you're going to try it, Sara! 'Just want to share that I really have found that Marly's right: 1/4 - 1/2 of a cup is plenty! :)
Hugs -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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YellowRose
True Blue Farmgirl
6812 Posts
Sara
Paris
TX
USA
6812 Posts |
Posted - Oct 25 2016 : 2:53:44 PM
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Last week I washed a load of kitchen towels with ammonia and was happy with results. Yesterday I used it in a load of clothes with two white cotton shirts. Very pleased. They came out white and when I ironed them today they were soft.
The label didn't say it disinfected. Have any of you any info on whether it does or not? I do like to disinfect my kitchen & bath towels.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2020 : 4:51:19 PM
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I realize this is an old thread, but in case someone might drift in looking for hints about Covid-related cleaning, please know that ammonia has no effect on viruses and very little, if any, on bacteria. I think it's interesting that Ninibini found it worked well for her as a laundry freshener and fabric softener. Who knew?!?
Most products that contain ammonia have label warnings about using it only in a well-ventilated room and to not breathe it in. The US government warns, "Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or death. Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation." So be careful when pouring it into your laundry and think very hard about whether the benefits to your laundry are worth exposing yourself to these risks. |
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Nancy Joplin
True Blue Farmgirl
181 Posts
Nancy
Ontario
California
USA
181 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2021 : 6:38:47 PM
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Good information, Rosemary. Thank you for sharing. I was wondering about the feasibility of using ammonia in my laundry. I think that it would be worth it in some cases and not in others. I may try it on some of our really smelly stuff just to see how it works. However, I do not plan to use it all the time or in all loads of laundry.
Nancy 8352 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 28 2021 : 9:15:16 PM
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Yes! Thank you Rosemary!
I just want to let everyone know that I did stop using ammonia in the laundry... Not for any negative reason. I used very little, and found myself really only using it for work clothes. A friend introduced me to the wonders of Oxyclean - not for laundry, but for cleaning grout around my bathroom tiles. After that, I tried it in our laundry and for other tough cleaning jobs, and have been using it instead, as needed, ever since. I just really appreciate having one product that does multi tasks. I don't use a lot of store bought cleaners, to be honest. I would definitely use ammonia again in a pinch, but it is no longer anything I keep on hand. I guess for me, for now, it'sjust one of those "good to know" options!
Hugs,
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
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Edited by - Ninibini on May 28 2021 9:16:15 PM |
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levisgrammy
True Blue Farmgirl
9245 Posts
Denise
Beavercreek
Ohio
USA
9245 Posts |
Posted - May 31 2021 : 04:45:47 AM
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I never use bleach in our clothes anymore. Not good for the health at all.
I have been using Biz for years on husband's work clothes and they come so clean. I use it along with my regular homemade laundry soap. It smells so good. I don't like to use bleach or ammonia. Though my mom always used both for different things. Really if you use one you don't need the other as they both do the same things.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured." 
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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Cleaning Up: Ammonia in the Laundry |
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Ammonia in the Laundry
