Ammonia is commonly used in cleaning products, and while it is a powerful chemical, it is not considered a hazardous household waste. That means you can throw it down the sink, as long as you rinse it off with plenty of water afterward. If you have a large amount of ammonia or a septic system, you can neutralize it and dispose of it. After disposing of the ammonia, you will need to recycle or dispose of the container.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Dilute Ammonia with Water
Step 1. Open a water tap
You need to mix the ammonia with a lot of water, as it is concentrated. The water will dilute the ammonia, making it safer. The best method to do this is by using plain tap water.
You can also pour the ammonia down the toilet. Just pour it down the toilet before flushing. However, make sure you don't pour in more ammonia than the amount of water present. If you have a large amount of ammonia, use the tap or neutralize it
Step 2. Pour the ammonia over a stream of water
Pour it in slowly so that there is no more water than ammonia running down the sink. This will ensure that it will be fully diluted as you go down the sink.
- Don't inhale it as you pour it out.
- It's best to open a window or turn on the ventilation while pouring the ammonia into the sink.
Step 3. Rinse the sink after getting rid of the ammonia
Spray water on the surface of the sink to remove any remaining ammonia residue. Wipe the sides and bottom of the sink using a clean towel or cloth to make sure everything is removed. This will prevent you from accidentally spilling another chemical on top.
- Make sure to let the water run for at least 1 more minute in the sink.
- If you have a spray nozzle, use it to rinse the sink.
Step 4. Be careful if you have a septic system
It is not a good idea to flush ammonia down the sink if you have a septic system. Septic systems discharge wastewater back into the ground, so the ammonia could end up in groundwater. This is especially troublesome if you use a well to get your water.
Instead of pouring the ammonia down the sink, neutralize it and then discard it
Method 2 of 3: Neutralize the ammonia
Step 1. Mix equal parts of baking soda, kitty litter, and dry litter
These three ingredients will produce an effective dry mix that will absorb the ammonia. You can use it to clean up spills of ammonia, or you can mix it with it in case you want to dispose of it.
The dry mix will be great if you need to get rid of a large amount of ammonia
Step 2. Spray the dry mix over the ammonia
Keep adding the dry mix to the ammonia until you've applied just enough to absorb it completely. There should be no residual liquid left.
Step 3. Collect the mixture in a disposable container
Use a plastic or wooden spoon to pour the mixture into the bowl. If you fill the entire container and there is still some mixture left to collect, you can put it in a garbage bag and then collect the rest.
- Wear a mask while cleaning the mixture to avoid inhaling the fumes.
- If you are indoors, it is a good idea to ventilate the area. If you have a range hood, turn it on.
Step 4. Dispose of the mixture in the trash
Since the ammonia is neutralized, it will be safe to throw it away. You can throw away the entire container or just the mixture.
Don't let neutralized ammonia settle in your home. You must dispose of it immediately
Method 3 of 3: Get rid of the container
Step 1. Empty the container of excess ammonia
Do not throw away a container that still contains ammonia, even if it is very little. Because ammonia is concentrated, it can be dangerous even in small amounts.
For example, fumes from ammonia can be harmful. Ammonia could also mix with other substances in the garbage
Step 2. Rinse the container
Use clean water to rinse any ammonia that is still in the bottle. The water will also dilute any drops that remain in the container.
Now it will be safe to pour the rinse water into the sink
Step 3. Check the bottle to see if it is recyclable
Most plastic cleaner bottles are recyclable. Just check the bottom of the container to see if there is a symbol that indicates you can recycle it.
If the container is recyclable, you can place it along with the other materials in the same category. You can also take it to your local recycling center
Step 4. Throw the container in the trash if it is not recyclable
Put it together with the rest of the garbage. It is better to throw it in the garbage can that is outside if possible. That way, you don't need to worry about accidental fumes.
Advice
Ammonia is soluble in water, so it can be poured down the drain. Just make sure to get it running by pouring in plenty of water
Warnings
- Do not combine ammonia with any other product, including other cleaners. Dispose of each one separately down the drain by running plenty of water.
- Don't just put excess ammonia in the trash. You must dilute or neutralize it.
- Ammonia and bleach can produce a dangerous gas when mixed. So be very careful not to mix them up as you dispose of them.