Faced with this question, the answer is clear: the best disinfectant is bleach. However, bleach is not always the best product for cleaning, as one thing is to disinfect and another to clean efficiently.
That is why, if we had to choose between bleach and ammonia, we recommend having both of them always on hand in our cleaning kit, and it will depend on the place, material and the objectives we want to use one or the other. We detail here its main uses:
Uses of bleach
As we have already said at the beginning, bleach is a great disinfectant, so it will be ideal for cleaning areas of the house where we put our hands or other parts of the body: doorknobs and cupboards, kitchen, electrical appliances, taps, sinks and toilets, etc. In this way we minimize the possibility of cross contamination that ends up in other people or in food.
It must always be diluted in water due to its abrasive power, and taking into account that in the long run it can oxidize chrome parts, as well as metallic or ceramic coatings. For these materials, it will have to be diluted even more.
On the other hand, bleach is a good product for remove color stains from white fabrics, so it can be used together with the detergent in the washing machine -there is diluted bleach for fabrics-, although its recurrent use ends up deteriorating them
Uses of ammonia
For its part, the characteristic of this component is its degreasing power. Thanks to this, it will be our first option for surfaces that are stained recurrently without excessive contact with the hands. In this group would fit the window frames, pictures, glass, lamps, televisions, etc.
Unlike bleach, we can use it on chrome and metallic elements, not so on waxed or varnished surfaces such as parquet floors or classic furniture (in these cases it is better to use cleaners that contain alcohol or diluted vinegar), but if they are synthetic.
The use of both components, bleach and ammonia, should be done with caution. In addition, it must be borne in mind that most of the products that we find in supermarkets already have one of these two substances in their composition in an improved and attenuated way.
If we still choose to use them they must be diluted before applying them to the surfaces to be cleaned. Another tip is to open the windows or ensure good ventilation, since its abrasive power gives off a strong and unpleasant smell that can remain in the room for a while or even affect us and irritate our eyes and mucous membranes.
Although bleach is an excellent disinfectant and ammonia a powerful degreaser, the union of both does not make the perfect product, but on the contrary, it produces a highly toxic substance that even can be lethal.
