Where to Buy Ammonia for Cleaning in the UK

Ammonia is a versatile and cost-effective cleaning agent widely used for household cleaning purposes.

It’s known for its strong cleaning properties and ability to effectively cut through grime and grease. But if you’re based in the United Kingdom, getting your hands on ammonia can be difficult if you’re unsure where to look.

If you want to add ammonia to your cleaning arsenal, you’re in the right place. Here, we have a comprehensive guide on where to buy ammonia for cleaning in the UK, including online sellers and offline retail options.

 

 

What Are the Uses of Ammonia for Cleaning?

Ammonia is a powerful cleaner that can be used for a diverse range of cleaning tasks around your home.

You can find detailed information on the cleaning uses of ammonia here, but some of the most common uses for this strong cleaner include:

1. Glass and window cleaning

Ammonia is an excellent choice for achieving streak-free and crystal-clear glass. Here is a breakdown of the method you should follow if using ammonia to clean mirrors, windows or any other glass surface in your home:

1. Prepare the solution: Put 1 to 2 tablespoons of ammonia in a spray bottle with around 250 mL of water. Screw the lid on tightly and shake gently to mix.
2. Spray and wipe: Spray the diluted ammonia solution on the glass or window surface and wipe it with a lint-free cloth, paper towel, or microfibre cloth. Always start at the top of the mirror or window and work your way down to the bottom.
3. Buff for shine: The glass should be left crystal-clear. But if needed, buff the glass surfaces with a dry microfibre cloth to achieve a shiny, streak-free finish.

 

2. Floor cleaning

Ammonia is a powerful floor cleaner that leaves your floors sparkling clean. It is particularly effective on tiles and vinyl.

However, always test in an inconspicuous area first and avoid using ammonia to clean laminate floors and hardwood flooring, as it can cause irreversible damage.

To use:

1. Dilute ammonia: Mix 125 ml of ammonia with 3.5 L of warm water in a mop bucket. Dip your mop head into the ammonia solution and wring it out well to prepare for cleaning.
2. Mop the floor: Mop the floor with the ammonia solution, working in small sections from the far side of the room towards the door. Rinse the mop frequently and change the ammonia solution if it gets too dirty.
3. Air dry: Once you’ve finished mopping, allow the floor to air dry before walking on it. Extra moisture can damage some floors, so open windows and doors to improve ventilation and speak up the drying process.

 

3. Bathroom cleaning

Ammonia effectively cuts through soap scum and grime in bathrooms and is one of the best limescale cleaners.

Therefore, you can use ammonia to clean and sanitise bathroom fixtures, tiles, and floors. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Prepare the solution: Pour equal parts of ammonia and water into a spray bottle, screw the lid on tightly, and shake gently to mix.
2. Spray surfaces: Spray the solution on bathroom tiles, sinks, showers, or tubs. Allow the ammonia cleaning solution to sit for a few minutes to penetrate the soap scrum and grime, then scrub with a sponge or brush.
3. Rinse thoroughly: Rinse the surfaces with water to remove any ammonia residue from your bathroom surfaces. Then, wipe each surface dry to prevent water marks from forming.

 

4. Removing stains

Ammonia is a potent stain remover, effectively tackling tough stains on clothing and fabrics.

Start by mixing one part ammonia with four parts water in a small bowl, then follow these steps to use ammonia in your laundry:

1. Apply to stain: Apply the diluted ammonia directly to the fabric. We suggest applying it to an inconspicuous part of the material first to avoid causing irreversible damage. If no damage occurs, you can go ahead and apply the solution to the stain.
2. Blot or dab: Gently blot or dab the stain using a soft sponge or cloth, working from the outside toward the centre to prevent it from spreading.
3. Launder as usual: Wash the stained item as usual after treating the stain with ammonia to remove the stain altogether. Washing is also crucial for removing any ammonia from the garment fibres, leaving you with fresh, stain-free clothes.

 

5. Deodorising and disinfecting

Ammonia is not only effective at cleaning away tough dirt, grime, and stains—it also helps neutralise odours and disinfect various surfaces around your home. To use ammonia as a disinfectant, follow the method outlined below:

1. Prepare the solution: Mix a small amount of ammonia with water in a spray bottle. The correct dilution will depend on which surface you want to disinfect—refer to the instructions on the ammonia bottle for help with dilutions.
2. Disinfect surfaces: Spray the solution on areas that need deodorising or disinfecting, such as garbage bins or countertops. Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes, then wipe the surface clean with a cloth.

 

Safety Precautions When Using Ammonia for Cleaning

Ammonia is an extremely potent chemical that comes with various health risks. Therefore, it must be used with caution if used for cleaning inside the home. It’s important to follow the following safety guidelines to ensure safe usage:

• Always use ammonia in well-ventilated areas to avoid inhaling fumes.
• Dilute ammonia liquids according to the instructions on the bottle.
• Do not mix ammonia with bleach, as it can create harmful fumes.
• Use gloves and eye protection when handling ammonia-based products.
• Never use ammonia near open flames or heat sources, as it’s highly flammable.
• Don’t use ammonia on porous surfaces like granite or marble.
• Perform a patch test on an inconspicuous area before commencing cleaning.
• Rinse or dispose of mop heads, sponges, and cloths used with ammonia.
• Store cleaning products like ammonia safely, out of reach of children.
• Educate all household members about the safe use of ammonia.
• Seek medical help in case of accidents or exposure to toxic fumes.

 

FAQs on Ammonia

What is ammonia for cleaning?

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a sharp and pungent odour. It is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen molecules, chemically represented as NH₃.

In the context of cleaning, ammonia gas is typically dissolved in water to create an aqueous solution for cleaning purposes. This ammonia solution can be used for:

• Cutting through grease and oils in ovens.
• Removing tough stains from clothes and surfaces.
• Cleaning glass and windows, leaving them sparkling clean.
• Killing bacteria and disinfecting surfaces
• Neutralising unpleasant odours in the home
• Cleaning ceramic irons

 

What is the strongest ammonia you can buy in the UK?

Ammonia-based cleaning products are available in various concentrations. The highest concentration of ammonia available for household use is typically 5% to 10% solution.

Higher concentrations carry excessive health risks, and even 5% ammonia must be diluted before use within the home.

To ensure the safety of you and your household, always read the product labels carefully to determine the concentration of the ammonia solution and the appropriate dilution ratios.

 

Can you buy ammonia in supermarkets?

You used to be able to purchase ammonia for cleaning in most major British supermarkets, including Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose.

Most of these stores have now removed ammonia solutions from their household cleaning isles and replaced them with safer, eco-friendly, and ammonia-free alternatives.

The best place to buy household ammonia is online at marketplaces like Amazon. If you prefer to shop locally, check out nearby hardware stores, pharmacies, and specialised cleaning stores—they’re much more likely to stock ammonia for cleaning than UK supermarkets.