Bleach and ammonia

I've never taken a chemistry class, but here I am as the substitute. Duty calls!

I've always appreciated variety in my work. Substituting is definitely varied. The short notice doesn't tend to bother me, either. This is an adventure.

Before I left home this morning, Hubby suggested that I show the students how to mix bleach and ammonia. He tried that a few years ago when he was working as a maintenance man, even though he knew better. After all, he took chemistry in both high school and college.

I said, "What are you trying to get me to do? Make a bomb?"

"Don't you want some excitement in your life?"

"I had enough excitement when I found out that you'd done that a few years ago!"


Hubby said that he had been lucky to avoid chemical burns. "As soon as I poured them together, I had a volcano. They just shot up."

I said, "Didn't you read the directions?"

"Well, no. I had completely forgotten that ammonia and bleach are so volatile. And I'd also forgotten that they produce poisonous gas."

He had to flee the building. When he returned, the item was very clean.

"Hey, it worked!"

"Yes, but at what potential cost?"

NOTE: The bleach bottle image points up the need for recycling. Amazing how our garbage lasts forever.