Homeowner Forum / Cleaning / May 2005

I use ammonia when I want to do cleaning that involves cutting heavy duty
grease and dirt. (Usually vinegar is my first choice.) I really only use
bleach when I want to disinfect something (toilet bowl) or kill mold and
mildew (shower area). Of course I occasionally use bleach in the laundry to
whiten.

Bonnie in NJ

The real scientists here can give you a real answer; but basically
chlorine-based bleach is not a soil-removing substance. As a detergent,
its practically useless. However, in the absence of organic matter, its
a cheap and effect disinfectant. In terms of "cleaning", its forte is
that chlorine, being a strong oxidizer, is great for removing most
stains.

Household ammonia is not magical, but you can add it to detergent
solutions to raise the pH; and that makes it more aggressive against
dirt and grease.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite  (bleach)

That's the basics, as I understand them.

When I die, I want to go where dogs go!