Can You Mix Ammonia And Dish Soap? (Yes Explained)
Ever stared at a greasy mess in your kitchen and wished for a magic cleaner to make it disappear?
Maybe you’ve heard that ammonia is a powerhouse for cutting through grime. Maybe you’ve also heard that dish soap is great for breaking down grease. So, naturally, you start wondering—can you mix them?
Turns out you can! It makes a great cleaner!
In this post I’ll go over everything you need to know about mixing ammonia and dish soap.
Can You Mix Ammonia And Dish Soap?
Yes, you can mix ammonia and dish soap as long as your dish soap doesn’t contain bleach.
Ammonia and bleach together create toxic fumes, and that’s a dangerous situation you don’t want to mess with.
But when you mix plain ammonia with a mild dish soap, you get a tough, grease-cutting cleaner that’s perfect for all kinds of household messes. It’s a great budget-friendly alternative to expensive cleaning products, and you probably already have both ingredients at home.
Also Read: ammonia for cleaning glass
The Chemistry Behind How The Mixture Works
I’ll keep the science bit simple so it's easy to understand.
Ammonia is a strong alkaline cleaner. That means it’s great at breaking down grease, oils, and tough messes. It’s often used in commercial cleaning products because it can dissolve grime quickly. But on its own, it can evaporate pretty fast and leave behind some streaks.
Dish soap, on the other hand, is a surfactant.
That’s a fancy way of saying it helps water mix with grease and dirt, making it easier to wash everything away. It helps lift grime off surfaces so it doesn’t just smear around.
When you mix ammonia with dish soap, you get the deep-cleaning power of ammonia and the grease-cutting boost of dish soap.
It makes a great all-purpose cleaner that tackles stubborn messes without leaving behind a residue.
DIY Ammonia And Dish Soap Cleaning Recipe
Making this cleaner is super easy. You just need a few basic things you probably already have at home. Here’s how to do it:
1 gallon of warm water (not hot—just comfortably warm)
1/4 cup of ammonia (plain, household ammonia—no fancy additives)
1–2 teaspoons of dish soap (make sure it’s bleach-free, like original Dawn)
Also Read: Soap Stain On Granite
How to Mix Dish Soap And Ammonia
Start with the warm water in a bucket.
Slowly add the ammonia, stirring gently.
Add the dish soap last and mix carefully to avoid creating too many bubbles.
Apply the mixture with a sponge, spray bottle, or mop, depending on what you're cleaning.
Wipe clean and rinse with fresh water if needed.
That’s it! It’s a quick, easy cleaning solution that costs almost nothing to make.
Just be sure to store any leftover mixture properly—preferably in a well-labeled, sealed container—and keep it out of reach of kids and pets.
What Can You Clean With This Mixture?
This homemade ammonia and dish soap cleaner is super versatile and works on all kinds of surfaces. Here are some of the best uses:
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Kitchen counters & appliances – Cuts through greasy messes on stovetops, microwaves, and countertops.
Floors – Works great on tile, linoleum, and even some vinyl surfaces. It leaves a streak-free shine.
Bathrooms – Tackles soap scum, grime, and even mild mildew in sinks, tubs, and showers.
Windows & glass – Leaves glass sparkling without the streaks you get from some commercial cleaners.
Outdoor furniture – Great for cleaning plastic, metal, and some types of painted wood.
One thing to keep in mind—don’t use this on unfinished wood, aluminum, or delicate surfaces like marble. Ammonia can be too harsh for those and might cause damage. If you’re unsure, test a small hidden spot first.
Bottom Line
Mixing ammonia and dish soap (as long as there’s no bleach) is totally safe and gives you an incredibly effective DIY cleaner. It’s perfect for tackling greasy, grimy messes around the house, and it’s way cheaper than store-bought alternatives.
Plus, it doesn’t leave behind a sticky residue like some store-bought cleaners.
Just remember the basics:
No bleach—ever.
Use in a well-ventilated area.
Store safely and out of reach of kids and pets
Follow those simple rules, and you’ll have a powerful, homemade cleaner that can handle just about any mess.
FAQs
Does Dawn Contain Bleach?
No, original Dawn dish soap doesn’t contain bleach. That’s why it’s safe to mix with ammonia.
But some versions, especially those labeled “bleach alternative,” might have bleach-like ingredients. So always check the label before mixing. If you see anything mentioning chlorine or bleach, skip it.
What Can I Mix With Ammonia For Cleaning?
Ammonia works well with a few other things, as long as you’re careful.
It’s totally fine to mix with plain water for a lighter cleaning solution. Some people use it alongside vinegar, but not in the same bottle—mixing them together cancels out their cleaning power.
You can also mix ammonia with hydrogen peroxide for a stain-fighting boost, but don’t store them together.