If you’ve got dirty tile floors, you may have wondered: can I use ammonia to clean these babies up? Oh ammonia, with its eyebrow-raising scent and grime-cutting power – it seems like an easy tile cleaning solution! But is it safe? Does it actually work? Let’s dive into the great ammonia tile floor cleaning debate.
What is Ammonia Anyway?
Before we get to the pros and cons of,, what is ammonia?
Well, ammonia is a gas that easily mixes with water to form ammonium hydroxide. The kind sold in stores contains about 5-10% ammonium hydroxide mixed in water. It’s used in cleaning products because ammonium hydroxide is alkaline, with a pH of around 11.
This means it can break down oils, grease, and acidic grimes that stain floors. The strong odor is hard to miss!
The Shiny Promise of Ammonia
Using ammonia to clean tile floors offers some tempting benefits – but it also comes with risks. Let’s check out the shine-inducing pros first.
Powers Through Grime
Thanks to its alkalinity, ammonia can bust through grime stuck between tile grout lines like grease, dirt, and oils. Its cleaning power breaks down those stubborn sticky messes other cleaners can’t touch.
Disinfects Germs
At the right concentration, ammonia has disinfecting properties that can sanitize tile floors by eliminating bacteria, viruses, mold, and other germs that might be lurking in cracks and crevices.
This makes it a good choice if you’ve recently had sickness in your home and want to thoroughly disinfect all floors.
Leaves a Sparkling Shine
In addition to cleaning away grime, ammonia leaves floors with a beautiful, streak-free shine when rinsed off thoroughly after use. The floors will look brand new!
The Smelly Downsides of Ammonia
It’s not all rainbows and gleaming floors though – ammonia has some pretty nasty downsides too.
Hurts Your Nose and Lungs
That powerful odor? Yeah, breathing that in can irritate your nasal passages and lungs. Using ammonia in small, enclosed spaces can cause coughing, watery eyes, and breathing difficulty. Proper ventilation is a must!
Can Discolor Grout
Certain grout colors may get lightened or experience discoloration from ammonia. The alkaline ammonia can react poorly with pigments, causing fading or spotty discoloration. Always test a hidden spot first to check if your grout can handle it.
Requires Safety Gear
Since ammonia is corrosive, you need to gear up with gloves, protective eyewear, and long sleeves so it doesn’t injure your skin or eyes. Spills could cause burns or eye damage. Not exactly a casual cleaning scenario.
Can Damage Sealants
Tile sealants and waxes may also be degraded by ammonia over time. If your tiles have been sealed, ammonia could break down the protective barrier and leave them vulnerable to stains.
Read: Can You Use a Carpet Cleaner to Clean Tile Floors?
A Step-by-Step guide on how to use Ammonia for Tile Cleaning
If you decide to use ammonia on your tiles, follow these steps to stay safe:
Gear Up for Safety
Break out the rubber gloves, protective goggles, long sleeves, pants, and closed toe shoes. You want full skin and eye protection from splashes and spills. For even more protection, consider wearing a mask or respirator to avoid breathing fumes.
Mix a Diluted Solution
To avoid irritation and damage, dilute the ammonia properly with water. A 10% solution (1 part ammonia to 10 parts water) does the trick for most floors. For extremely dirty floors, you can use slightly higher concentrations.
Ventilate the Area
Make sure the room is well-ventilated by opening all doors and windows. Position fans to blow fumes outside. Avoid using ammonia in enclosed areas.
Apply and Let Sit
Use a mop, sponge, or scrub brush to apply the ammonia solution to the floors. Let it soak for 5-10 minutes so it can penetrate and break down grime.
Scrub and Rinse Thoroughly
After soaking, scrub those tiles! Scrubbing by hand with a brush ensures you get into all cracks and crevices.
Then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all traces of ammonia. I repeat – thoroughly! Any ammonia left behind can damage grout or tiles.
Allow to Dry
Once floors are rinsed free of ammonia, allow them ample time to dry fully before using the space. Walking on floors before they are completely dry can lead to slips or transfer of chemicals to feet and shoes.
Green Cleaning Alternatives
If you want to skip the risks of ammonia, try these more natural cleaning options instead:
Vinegar + Water
A 50/50 vinegar and water solution cleans and deodorizes tiles without harsh chemicals. The mild acid in vinegar removes grime buildup without fumes or danger.
For extra cleaning power, let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda to absorb oils, odors, and grime from tile floors without scrubbing. The abrasive texture also provides light scrubbing action. For tougher messes, make a paste with water and use a brush.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide disinfects tiles as a mild acid cleaner. Combine with vinegar or baking soda for extra cleaning oomph to remove stains. Rinse thoroughly after application.
The Verdict on Ammonia for Tile Floors
Ammonia can clean tile floors amazingly well…but it also comes with health and safety risks if you don’t take precautions.
For routine light cleaning, I personally prefer natural options like vinegar and baking soda to avoid working with harsh chemicals. However, ammonia can be an occasional deep cleaning powerhouse if used properly with ample ventilation, protection, and care.
At the first sign of heavy grime buildup though, calling in the professional tile cleaners is probably the safest bet for a sparkling floor revival without endangering yourself.