[mymythisisthis]

For most of human history pee urine was left to get stale, turning it into ammonia, and used for doing laundry.

Washing clothes in ammonia is really great at getting out oil and grease stains. Though now you just buy ammonia directly from a good hardware store.

[qup]

Hi, nerdy hacker here, could use further advice:

Can I screw the ammonia up, like how bleach ruins clothes? Any recommendation on amount? Do I add it to a wash cycle?

I have a lot of grease-stained shirts that are some of my favorites.

[mymythisisthis]

Don't mix it with bleach, otherwise you're o.k.

Can't really go wrong. After I do some bicycle repair, I toss my greasy clothes into the washer, and add a cup or two of ammonia during the wash cycle. I don't even add detergent, as the grease comes out without soap.

Found more professional instructions here, https://www.hunker.com/13422713/how-to-use-ammonia-in-the-la....

[shrubble]

Mixing ammonia and bleach gets you basically mustard gas, so be cautious about what is in any other detergent you use at the same time...

[mcpackieh]

Specifically it makes chloramine gas, the same stuff that (in fairly low concentrations) makes swimming pools stink. It can be lethal so definitely take it seriously, although it's not nearly so gnarly as real mustard gas.

Here's an incident where a woman inadvertently made chloramine gas in an enclosed space while cleaning and was breathing it for 30 minutes. It nearly killed her and she was hospitalized for a week: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199909093411115

[leetrout]

Here's one where a restaurant manager died after someone mixed cleaners right on the floor.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/08/us/massachusetts-buffalo-wild...

[pfdietz]

It's not mustard gas, but it is really nasty. It produces a mixture of chloramines and hydrazine.

[shrubble]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Tade0]

I only ever used it to clean floors, but word of warning: even a 3% solution is already noxious.

A whiff of Uranus so to speak.

[djbusby]

Urine-us

[aerio]

Use in the laundry for regular stains: Soak stubborn stains on cotton, polyester, or nylon fabrics with a solution of 2/3 cup clear ammonia, 2/3 cup dish soap, 6 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 cups warm water. Let it soak for about 30 minutes, then launder as usual. Never use ammonia on wool or silk.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to wash clothes with ammonia:

1. Read the garment labels: Check the care instructions on your clothing items to ensure they can be safely washed with ammonia. Some delicate fabrics or certain colors may not be suitable for this method, so it's important to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. Prepare the washing machine: Start by setting up your washing machine as you would for a regular load of laundry. Sort your clothes by color, fabric type, and level of dirtiness.

3. Measure the ammonia: For a typical load of laundry, use about 1/2 cup to 1 cup of ammonia. Adjust the amount based on the size of your load and the level of dirt or stains on the clothes.

4. Add the ammonia to the washing machine: Pour the measured amount of ammonia directly into the detergent dispenser or the main wash compartment of your washing machine. Be careful not to spill any ammonia on your skin or clothing.

5. Add detergent: Add your regular laundry detergent to the same compartment as the ammonia. The detergent will work in conjunction with the ammonia to clean your clothes effectively.

6. Start the wash cycle: Close the washing machine lid or door and start the wash cycle using the appropriate settings for your clothing items. Follow the machine's instructions for temperature, water level, and cycle duration.

7. Complete the wash cycle: Allow the washing machine to complete the cycle as usual. Once finished, remove the clothes promptly to prevent wrinkling or odor development.

8. Rinse the clothes: If you prefer, you can run an additional rinse cycle to ensure all traces of ammonia and detergent are thoroughly rinsed out. This step is particularly important if you have sensitive skin or are concerned about potential residue.

9. Dry the clothes: Depending on the fabric type and garment care instructions, dry the clothes by air drying, using a clothesline, or by using a dryer.

10. Clean the washing machine: After completing the load with ammonia, consider running an empty cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to help remove any residual ammonia smell or build-up in the washing machine.

Remember to handle ammonia with care, follow safety guidelines, and avoid mixing it with other cleaning agents, such as bleach, as it can produce hazardous fumes. Always keep ammonia out of reach of children and pets.

Additionally, if you have specific stains or heavily soiled items, it's advisable to spot treat them before washing with ammonia.