What is Ammonia?
Ammonia is consist of nitrogen and hydrogen. The formula of Ammonia is NH3. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a strong pungent smell. The compound features a binary hydride and a simple pnictogen hydride. Ammonia is common nitrogenous waste and is used at large in commercial cleaners.
Ammonia is considered a weak base. The cleaners made from Ammonia are quite cheap but good. Ammonia is ideal for cleaning hard surfaces. Though a cleaner Ammonia is not used as a disinfectant (it means, it does not kill germ, virus, or bacteria but just clean the dirt or stain) Ammonia is toxic can be corrosive to eyes, skin, and lungs. Direct exposure to Ammonia can be life-threatening too.
Ammonia is useful in washing fabrics as it maintains the color of the cloth while cleaning. Ammonia is also used in washing dishes and kitchen utensils. Tiles, glass, and jewelry are considerable. Ammonia helps in breaking down fats, oils, and grease easily. Window cleaners are made from Ammonia only.
Other than making cleaners or disinfectants Ammonia is also used in the manufacturing of fertilizers, medicines, cosmetic products, dyes, acrylic paints, nylon fibers, rayon, and soda ash. Baking soda and vinegar are general alternatives used versus Ammonia.
What is Bleach?
Bleach is a chemical product used for the bleaching process. Bleaching involves removing color or stain from fabrics. Bleach is used both in industrial and domestic activities. The bleach is a dilute solution of sodium hypochlorite. Chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach are two common types.
Bleach is strong. Use to clean clothes and fabrics in normal dirt. Grease and stain are not effectively removed by bleach. It is ideal for whiting and brightening white cloths (it can make colored cloths lose dyes). Also other than being cleaner bleach (Chlorine bleach) is a good disinfectant. It kills bacteria, viruses, and germs on contact.
Bleach can also use in making sanitizers. The bleach can be highly toxic on mixing with other chemicals like Ammonia. The mix can affect eyes, skin, and lungs on contact. Bleach is present in products consisting of Colors, Lysol, Ajax, and scrubbing bubbles.
Other than making cleaners or disinfectants Bleach is also used in making mold removers. The bleach-based cleaners can remain stuck to the surfaces. It is safe to stay away from bleached surfaces for a good time. Bleach products depending on constituents can be present in powder or spray forms. OxiClean is a general alternative used versus Bleach.
Difference Between Ammonia and Bleach
- Ammonia has nitrogen and hydrogen in the ratio of three whereas Bleach consists of Sodium Hydroxide and water in general.
- Ammonia is effectively used as a disinfectant for disinfecting surfaces with germs while Bleach is used as a detergent for removing stains from surfaces.
- Ammonia is used in the case of hard surfaces like bathrooms whereas Bleach is used for cleaning soft and delicate surfaces like expensive fabrics.
- Ammonia is less strong of a cleaning agent in comparison whereas Bleach is more strong of a cleaning agent in comparison
- Ammonia is used mainly for cleaning purposes whereas Bleach is significant in the discoloration of objects.
Comparison Between Ammonia and Bleach
| Parameters of Comparison | Ammonia | Bleach |
| Function | Mostly used as a cleaning agent in the form of disinfectants. | Mostly used as a cleaning agent in the form of detergents. |
| Chemical composition | Ammonia is made up of Hydrogen and Nitrogen in the ratio of 3:1. | Bleach is made up of Sodium Hydroxide which is known as caustic soda |
| Capability | Ammonia is less strong comparatively as an agent. | Bleach is more strong comparatively as an agent. |
| Surface type | Ammonia is implemented on hard surfaces of toilets and bathrooms. | Bleach is implemented on soft types of surfaces like fabrics. |
| Role | Ammonia is an efficient cleaning agent | Bleach is an efficient stain remover |