Re: Ammonia and Corn starch mixed

"Household ammonia" is a medium concentration of a water solution of ammonia gas. It is this gas, some of which is not dissolved and thus "above" the solution, which you smell. A short term single exposure will knock you back on your heels (this is the gas of "smelling salts") but will not kill you. I cannot give you a quantitative measure of its toxicity, but I can say that long term significant exposures either by inhaling the gas or by having some of the material absorbed through the skin would be toxic. It is very important that you wear RUBBER GLOVES and work in a WELL VENTILATED area. EYE PROTECTION (splash goggles) in case of any splashing is also quite important. I would not have thought that this solution would be desirable as a stripper, because it is mostly water which can be harmful to surfaces, veneers, joints, etc. It works because it is a base, a property it shares with lye which is also used in some formulations of strippers. I doubt that there is any significant reaction between corn starch and ammonia. To the extent that the starch might dissolve in the water, some of the ammonia will be expelled from the solution. This may cause a stronger odor and less "stripping power." You might also find that some of the undissolved corn starch will fill the pores of the wood. I can't definitely tell you about the toxicity of the products of the reaction between the ammonia and the finishes. To the extent that the ammonia is consumed in the stripping, the amount of inhaled ammonia would be less. I can't say what other gases would be produced. The reaction products may be more or less toxic by absorption through the skin. Certainly none of these materials should be ingested by mouth. Again, if you try and combinations, be sure to wear rubber gloves, splash goggles and work in a well ventilated area.