Dear Heloise: I'm writing to ask you if I can use regular ammonia in your "prewash spray" recipe. —Barbara from Tribes Hill, N.Y.
Good question, Barbara. Here's the scoop: The recipe for the prewash spray calls for nonsudsing household ammonia, which is regular ammonia.
And here's another question about ammonia from Norman Germani of El Centro, Calif.: "In numerous hints you allude to using sudsy ammonia. Can you tell me what the difference is between regular ammonia and sudsy ammonia, and where I can purchase it?"
Norman, we contacted a leading manufacturer of ammonia, and here is what the company had to say: Sudsy ammonia is plain ammonia that has a small amount of detergent added to it. Ammonia is also available in clear (or nonsudsy), lemon and pine.
Check with the grocery-store manager to see if sudsy ammonia can be ordered. Usually if it is in the store's order book, the manager is happy to order it for you.
And for those who missed the recipe for prewash spray that was mentioned earlier, here it is:
Mix equal amounts of:
Nonsudsy, household ammonia
Dishwashing liquid that does not contain bleach (check the label carefully)
Water
Mix well and put into a clean spray bottle. Label the bottle clearly, and be sure to indicate "DO NOT USE WITH HOUSEHOLD BLEACH OR ANY OTHER PRODUCT CONTAINING BLEACH." To use this homemade prewash spray, just spray it on the stained area and immediately wash. CAUTION: Never use this prewash spray on clothing that you're not going to wash immediately. —Heloise
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 210-HELOISE (435-6473) or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. © King Features Syndicate Inc.