How to Dispose of Ammonia

Co-authored by Gregory Cade, JD and Danielle Blinka, MA, MPA

Last Updated: July 3, 2023

Ammonia is a commonly used cleaning product. Although it’s a strong chemical, it's not considered a household hazardous waste. That means you can dispose of it in the sink, as long as you flush it with plenty of water. If you have a lot of ammonia or a septic system, you can neutralize the ammonia and throw it away. After you dispose of the ammonia, you’ll need to recycle or throw out the container.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Diluting Ammonia with Water

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1
Turn on a water faucet. You need to mix the ammonia with plenty of water, as it's concentrated. Water dilutes the ammonia, making it safer. The best way to do this is to use running water. ^{[1]
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- You can also flush ammonia down your toilet. Simply pour it into the toilet water before flushing. Make sure you don't pour in more ammonia than there is water, however. If you have a lot of ammonia, use the sink or neutralize it. ^{[2]
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Pour the ammonia into the stream of water. Slowly pour out the ammonia so that there is more water than ammonia going down the sink. This ensures that it’s thoroughly diluted as it goes down the sink. ^{[3]
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- Don’t inhale the ammonia as you pour it.
- It’s best to open a window or turn on a vent while you pour the ammonia down the sink.
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Rinse your sink after disposing the ammonia. Splash water over the surface of the sink to remove any ammonia residue that may remain. Wipe the sides and bottom of the sink with a clean towel or cloth to make sure the ammonia is gone. This ensures you won’t accidentally pour another chemical over it. ^{[4]
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- Make sure your sink runs at least 1 additional minute.
- If you have a spray nozzle, use it to rinse out the sink.
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Use caution if you have a septic system. It’s not a good idea to dispose of ammonia down the sink if you have a septic system. ^{[5]
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Research source} Septic systems discharge wastewater back into the ground, so the ammonia can end up in the ground water. This is especially problematic if you use a well for your water. ^{[6]
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- Instead of pouring the ammonia down the sink, neutralize it and throw it away.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Neutralizing the Ammonia

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Mix together equal parts baking soda, cat litter, and dry sand. These 3 ingredients will create an effective dry mixture that will soak up the ammonia. You can use the mixture to clean up ammonia you’ve spilled or you can mix it with excess ammonia you want to discard. ^{[7]
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- The dry mixture is great for when you need to dispose a lot of ammonia at once.
Continue to add dry mixture to the ammonia until you’ve applied enough dry mix to soak up all of the ammonia. You should not have any liquid remaining. ^{[8]
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Collect the mixture into a disposable container. Use a plastic or wooden spoon to scoop the mixture into the container. If you fill up the container and still have more mixture to collect, it’s okay to dump it out in a trash bag. Then, collect the rest of the mixture. ^{[9]
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- Wear a mask while you clean up the mixture to avoid inhaling any fumes.
- It’s a good idea to ventilate the area, if it’s indoors. If you have a fume hood, you should turn it on.
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Dispose of the mixture in the trash. Since the ammonia is neutralized, it’s safe to put it in the trash can. You can throw out the entire container or simply dump out the mixture. ^{[10]
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- Don’t let the neutralized ammonia sit around your house, however. You need to dispose of it immediately.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Getting Rid of the Container

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Empty the container of excess ammonia. Don’t throw away a container that still has ammonia in it, even if it’s very little. Since ammonia is concentrated, it can be hazardous even in small amounts. ^{[11]
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- For example, the fumes from the ammonia can be harmful. Also, it could mix with other substances in the trash.
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Rinse out the container. Use clean water to wash away any ammonia that remains in the bottle. The water will also dilute any droplets that linger in the container. ^{[12]
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- It’s safe to pour your rinse water down the sink.
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Check the bottle to see if it’s recyclable. Most plastic cleaner bottles are recyclable. Simply check the bottom of the container to see if it has a symbol indicating you can recycle it.
- If it is recyclable, you can put it in with your other recyclables. Alternatively, you can take it to your local recycling center.
Put it in with the rest of your trash. It’s best to throw it out in your outdoor trash can, if you can. That way you won’t have to worry about accidental fume emissions.

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What is the pH of ammonia and what is it in the household product one buys in the grocery store?

Ahomes1

Community Answer

One molecule of ammonia consists of one negatively-charged nitrogen ion and three positively-charged hydrogen ions, giving ammonia a chemical formula of NH3. The pH of standard ammonia is about 11.

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Does vinegar break the molecular bonds of ammonia?

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Vinegar will neutralize ammonia while getting rid of the smell. Since vinegar is inexpensive, many people use the versatile liquid to clean their homes from top to bottom. To remove the ammonia odour, blot or spray the area with pure, undiluted white vinegar.

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Can this guide be used for anhydrous ammonia gas?

Daniel

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No, the methods mentioned are not suitable for anhydrous ammonia gas. Anhydrous ammonia is a hazardous substance, and dealing with its odor or leaks requires specialized equipment and safety precautions. If you suspect a leak or exposure to anhydrous ammonia gas, leave the area immediately, seek fresh air, and contact emergency services or a hazardous materials response team for proper handling and ventilation. It's crucial to prioritize safety when dealing with hazardous chemicals like anhydrous ammonia.

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Tips

Ammonia is water-soluble, so it can be poured down the drain. Just make sure you flush it with plenty of water.

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Warnings

Do not simply put excess ammonia in the trash. You must either dilute it or neutralize it.

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Don’t combine ammonia with any other products, including other cleaners. Dispose of them one at a time, flushing them down the drain with plenty of water.

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Ammonia and bleach create a dangerous gas when mixed, so be very careful not to mix the two during disposal. ^{[13]
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How to Dispose of Ammonia

Steps

Diluting Ammonia with Water

Neutralizing the Ammonia

Getting Rid of the Container

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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