Posted By: Jenay Zhyrov
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Posted On: 10/20/2025
Ammonia is a compound made up of nitrogen and hydrogen. In its liquid form, known as ammonium hydroxide, it’s used in many conventional cleaners because it evaporates quickly, so glasses and mirrors don’t end up streaky, and it’s effective. But there’s a cost.
Harsh ammonia fumes linger and can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and lungs. If you’ve used products with ammonia before, you’ve probably noticed its overwhelming smell—so sharp it’s commonly used in smelling salts.
The versatility of ammonia makes it a common ingredient in a variety of conventional household cleaners, including:
These products utilize the potency of ammonia to break down soiled surfaces and stains, but there are health risks.
Short-term, ammonia can cause coughing, nausea, and burning sensations in your eyes, skin, throat, and lungs. In more severe cases—like if it splashes or sprays directly in your eyes—it can cause temporary or permanent vision problems, including cataracts, glaucoma, or even blindness, sometimes affecting you weeks or months later.
Ammonia-based cleaners are also extremely dangerous if mixed with other toxic cleaners, especially bleach. This combination can release a high concentration of chlorine gas, which, even after a single exposure, may cause you or your children to develop asthma.
While occasional, low-level contact may not cause long-term harm, repeated exposure in the home can irritate your respiratory tract and create health risks for your family—young children are especially vulnerable.
At Truly Free Home, our mission is to free millions of families from toxic chemicals. That’s why all of our cleaning products are ammonia-free, free of toxic fragrances, and safe for everyday use. Instead of harsh chemicals, we use powerful non-toxic formulations that effectively tackle dirt, grease, and stains—without compromising your family’s health.
Here are a few Truly Free Home alternatives for common ammonia-based cleaners:
Switching to Truly Free Home’s non-toxic ammonia-free cleaners is an easy, impactful way to reduce your exposure to ammonia, eliminate harsh, irritating fumes, and protect the health of your family and pets.
