Q&A for How to Make Soapy Ammonia Cleaning Solution

Don't combine ammonia and vinegar in the cleaning solution. Ammonia is an alkali and vinegar is an acid, so the two cancel each other out and become neutral, losing all cleaning power.

Yes. Soap attracts dirt, so if you don't rinse after using the solution, your newly cleaned area will become dirty again much faster.

The dish soap you use is probably scent enough. Plus, you never know how some ingredients combine, so I wouldn't add anything.

No. One of the first man made fertilizers was ammonia. Your plants will be fine.

This is not recommended. The two would combine to form ethyl acetate. This would leave a sticky residue behind.

Fill a bucket with about 1 gallon of warm water, add 1/2 cup of clear, non-sudsing ammonia, and mix in 1/4 cup of mild liquid dish detergent.

Using urea as a substitute for ammonia in cleaning solutions isn't recommended. Urea and ammonia have different chemical properties and cleaning capabilities. Ammonia is known for its strong cleaning power, especially for cutting through grease and grime, whereas urea doesn't offer the same cleaning effectiveness.

Cleaning with an ammonia-water solution does have some disinfecting properties, but it's not as effective as specific antibacterial or disinfectant cleaners. Ammonia can help in removing dirt and grime, which indirectly reduces the number of germs. However, it doesn't kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses.

Yes, you can use lemon-scented ammonia. It combines the effective cleaning properties of ammonia with a fresh lemon scent, which can be more pleasant than the strong odor of regular ammonia.

Yes, an ammonia solution can be effective for removing certain stains, especially on durable fabrics and hard surfaces. It works well on grease, food stains, and some ink stains.