Editing Ammonia solution (section)

==Applications==
In contrast to anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia finds few non-niche uses outside of [[cleaning agent]]s.

=== Cleaning products ===
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[[File:Ammonia smoke.JPG|thumb|Household ammonia]]
Ammonia solutions are used as a cleaning products for many surfaces and applications. Ammonia in water is sold as a cleaning agent by itself, usually labeled as simply "ammonia", as well as in cleaning products combined with other ingredients. It may be sold plain, lemon-scented (and typically colored yellow), or pine-scented (green). Commonly available ammonia with soap added is known as "cloudy ammonia".

Household ammonia ranges in concentration by weight from 5% to 10% ammonia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/emergency/chemical_terrorism/ammonia_tech.htm |title=The Facts About Ammonia |website=www.health.ny.gov |language=en-us |access-date=2018-04-06}}</ref> Because aqueous ammonia is a gas dissolved in water, as the water evaporates from a surface, the gas evaporates also, leaving the surface streak-free. Its most common uses are to clean [[glass]],<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |author1=Christian Nitsch |author2=Hans-Joachim Heitland |author3=Horst Marsen |author4=Hans-Joachim Schlüussler |encyclopedia=Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |year=2005 |publisher=Wiley-VCH |place=Weinheim |doi=10.1002/14356007.a07_137 |isbn=978-3527306732 |chapter=Cleansing Agents}}</ref> [[porcelain]], and [[stainless steel]]. It is good at removing grease and is found in products for cleaning ovens and for soaking items to loosen baked-on grime. Experts also warn not to use ammonia-based cleaners on car [[touchscreen]]s, due to the risk of damage to the screen's [[Anti-glare screen|anti-glare]] and anti-fingerprint coatings.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.consumerreports.org/tires-car-care/how-to-clean-your-car-interior/|title = How To Clean Your Car's Interior|website=Consumer Reports|author = Barry, Keith|access-date=2021-01-31}}</ref>

More concentrated solutions (higher than 10%) are used for in professional and industrial cleaning products.

US manufacturers of cleaning products are required to provide the product's [[material safety data sheet]] that lists the concentration used.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|title=OSHA Hazard Communication Standard: Safety Data Sheets|website=OSHA}}</ref> Solutions of ammonia can be dangerous. These solutions are irritating to the eyes and [[mucous membrane]]s (respiratory and digestive tracts), and to a lesser extent the skin. Experts advise that caution be used to ensure the chemical is not mixed into any liquid containing [[bleach]], due to the danger of forming toxic chloramine gas. Mixing with [[chlorine]]-containing products or strong oxidants, such as household bleach, can generate toxic [[chloramine]] fumes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rizk-Ouaini|first=Rosette |author2=Ferriol, Michel |author3=Gazet, Josette |author4=Saugier-Cohen Adad |author5=Marie Therese |title = Oxidation reaction of ammonia with sodium hypochlorite. Production and degradation reactions of chloramines|journal = Bulletin de la Société Chimique de France|volume =4|page =512| year = 2006}}</ref>

=== Alkyl amine precursor===
In industry, aqueous ammonia can be used as a precursor to some [[alkyl]] amines, although anhydrous ammonia is usually preferred.  [[Hexamethylenetetramine]] forms readily from aqueous ammonia and [[formaldehyde]].  [[Ethylenediamine]] forms from [[1,2-dichloroethane]] and aqueous ammonia.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book |doi=10.1002/14356007.a02_001 |chapter=Amines, Aliphatic |title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry |year=2000 |last1=Eller |first1=Karsten |last2=Henkes |first2=Erhard |last3=Rossbacher |first3=Roland |last4=Höke |first4=Hartmut |isbn=978-3-527-30673-2}}</ref>

=== Absorption refrigeration ===
In the early years of the twentieth century, the [[Heat pump and refrigeration cycle#Vapor absorption cycle|vapor absorption cycle]] using water-ammonia systems was popular and widely used, but after the development of the vapor compression cycle it lost much of its importance because of its low [[coefficient of performance]] (about one fifth of that of the vapor compression cycle). Both the Electrolux refrigerator<ref>[http://engineersedge.weebly.com/uploads/4/6/8/0/4680709/domestic_electrolux_refrigerator.pdf ''Vapour Absorption Cycle - Domestic Electrolux Refrigerator'']</ref> and the [[Einstein refrigerator]] are well known examples of this application of the ammonia solution.

=== Water treatment ===
Ammonia is used to produce [[monochloramine|chloramine]], which may be utilised as a disinfectant.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chloramines in Drinking Water|url=https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/chloramines-drinking-water|website=EPA|publisher=US Environmental Protection Agency|access-date=6 March 2018|date=2015-10-20}}</ref> In drinking water, chloramine is preferred over direct [[Water chlorination|chlorination]] for its ability to remain active in stagnant water pipes longer, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne infections.

Ammonia is used by [[Fishkeeping|aquarists]] for the purposes of setting up a new fish tank using an ammonia process called [[fishless cycling]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Fishless Cycling|url=http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/the-almost-complete-guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html|website=Aquarium Advice|date=12 April 2011 |access-date=6 March 2018}}</ref> This application requires that the ammonia contain no additives.

=== Food production ===
Baking ammonia ([[ammonium carbonate]] and [[ammonium bicarbonate]]) was one of the original chemical [[leavening agent]]s. It was obtained from deer antlers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Olver |first1=Lynne |author1-link=Lynne Olver |title=history notes{{mdash}}cookies, crackers & biscuits |url=http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcookies.html#ammonia |website=[[The Food Timeline]] |access-date=January 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717061521/http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcookies.html/#ammonia |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |date=June 24, 2012 |url-status=dead}}{{cbignore|bot=InternetArchiveBot}}</ref> It is useful as a leavening agent, because ammonium carbonate is heat activated. This characteristic allows bakers to avoid both yeast's long proofing time and the quick [[Carbon dioxide|CO<sub>2</sub>]] dissipation of baking soda in making breads and cookies rise. It is still used to make [[ammonia cookie]]s and other crisp baked goods, but its popularity has waned because of ammonia's off-putting smell and concerns over its use as a food ingredient compared to modern-day baking powder formulations. It has been assigned [[E number]] E527 for use as a food additive in the [[European Union]].

Aqueous ammonia is used as an [[acidity regulator]] to bring down the acid levels in food. It is classified in the [[United States]] by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] as [[generally recognized as safe]] (GRAS) when using the food grade version.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110102122903/http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnDetailNavigation.cfm?rpt=scogsListing&id=27 Database of Select Committee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) Reviews: Ammonium hydroxide], [[Food and Drug Administration|U.S. Food and Drug Administration]]</ref> Its pH control abilities make it an effective [[antimicrobial]] agent.

=== Furniture darkening ===
In furniture-making, [[ammonia fuming]] was traditionally used to darken or stain wood containing [[tannic acid]]. After being sealed inside a container with the wood, fumes from the ammonia solution react with the tannic acid and iron salts naturally found in wood, creating a  rich, dark stained look to the wood. This technique was commonly used during the [[Arts and Crafts movement]] in furniture – a furniture style which was primarily constructed of oak and stained using these methods.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Shayne |last1=Rigers |first2=Nick |last2=Umney |chapter=Acidic and alkaline stains |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djtw17MPrTsC&pg=PA618 |pages=618–9 |title=Wood Coatings: Theory and Practice |publisher=Elsevier |location=Amsterdam |isbn=978-0-444-52840-7|date=2009-08-12 }}</ref>

=== Treatment of straw for cattle ===
Ammonia solution is used to treat straw, producing "ammoniated straw" making it more edible for [[cattle]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://u.osu.edu/beef/2007/06/27/is-it-bedding-or-is-it-feed/ | title=Is it Bedding or is it Feed? &#124; Ohio BEEF Cattle Letter}}</ref>

Ammonia solution is not used for the treatment of straw and other stover, Anhydrous Ammonia, or NH3 is used, ammoniating stover raises the protein content, and makes the feed more palatable.