S

SAFFRON

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Blot with 2 drops of lavender oil on a cloth until removed.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with lavender oil on a cloth.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On hard surfaces

Mix 1 teaspoon of lavender oil and 1 litre of water in a spray pack.
Spray the solution and wipe with a cloth.

SALAD DRESSING

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
If the dressing contains sugar, the stain may reappear in a couple of weeks. If so, repeat.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.
If the dressing contains sugar, the stain may reappear in a couple of weeks. If so, repeat.

On timber

Mix plaster of Paris and water to the consistency of peanut butter.
To each cup of mixture, add 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
Spread 5 mm to 1 cm thick over the stain.
Allow to dry completely. If it feels cold on the back of your hand, it’s not dry.
When dry, brush off with a broom.
If the timber needs re-oiling, restore tannins by wiping with cold black tea on a cloth and allow to dry. Then re-oil.

SALSA

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
For red salsa, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly so it’s damp but not wet. Blot over the mark.
For green salsa, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly, then wipe with white spirits on a cloth. Remove with a damp cloth.
In both cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb.
For red salsa, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Rinse under blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
For green salsa, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly, then wipe with white spirits.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SAP

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
For white or clear sap, scrub with 2 drops of tea tree oil on a toothbrush. Wipe with a damp cloth.
For red or honey-coloured sap, scrub with equal parts tea tree oil and glycerine on a toothbrush. Leave for 20 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth.
In all cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb.
For white or clear sap, blot with tea tree oil.
For red or honey-coloured sap, rub with equal parts tea tree oil and glycerine. Leave for 20 minutes.
In all cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On pavers/sandstone

Scrub with 2 drops of eucalyptus oil on a toothbrush.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a 9-litre bucket of water.
Scrub the mixture with a deck scrubber or stiff brush. Repeat, if needed.

On timber

Wipe with glycerine. Leave for 90 minutes.
Mix 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a 9-litre bucket of water.
Scrub the mixture with a deck scrubber or stiff brush. Repeat, if needed.

TIP

To remove sap and dirt from secateurs, rub the blades with lemon juice and 1 drop of tea tree oil on an old cork coated in coarse uniodised salt.

SATAY SAUCE

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until dishwashing liquid is removed.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly so it’s damp but not wet. Blot over the mark.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SAUCEPAN

(see ‘Pot or Pan’)

SCORCH MARKS

(see ‘Burn Marks’)

SCRATCH

On Bakelite/glassware

Wipe with a little sweet almond oil on a cloth.
For deep scratches, mix ½ teaspoon of whiting with 2 tablespoons of glycerine to the consistency of runny cream.
Rub the mixture in circles with a cloth until the scratches are removed.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Alternatively, apply jewellers rouge with a rotary tool or electric buff.

On fibreglass

Place 2 drops of glycerine on No-Fil sandpaper.
Sand over the scratch.

On leather

For brown leather, cut a walnut (the nut, not the shell) in half and rub one of the cut surfaces over the scratch. Leave for 1 hour for the colour to cure.
For other leather, use coloured shoe cream (not shoe polish or wax). Apply with a cloth over the scratched area only.
Rub the scratches with the back of a warm stainless steel spoon (dip the spoon in a glass of boiling water and dry with a tea towel) to set the shoe cream.
Wipe with leather conditioner. Make your own – see Household formulas.

On plastic

Wipe with 1 part glycerine to 5 parts blood-heat (body temperature) water on a cloth.

On polyurethane

Wipe with a small amount of Brasso on a cloth using speed rather than pressure. It will look worse before it looks better.

On shower screen

Glass cancer is the haze on glass that looks like soap scum or water marks. It’s caused by chemical residue and the damage is permanent. Don’t use harsh abrasives on glass (including commercial glass cleaners).
To clean glass and alleviate cancer, wipe with white vinegar on a cloth. Then firmly wipe over the glass with 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil on a cloth.

On silver

Using your fingertips, rub with unprocessed wheat bran slightly moistened with sweet almond oil.

On splashback (ceramic/glass/tile)

Wipe with bicarb on a cloth followed by white vinegar on a cloth.
For deep scratches, mix ½ teaspoon of whiting with 2 tablespoons of glycerine to the consistency of runny cream.
Rub the mixture in circles with a cloth until the scratches are removed.
Alternatively, apply jewellers rouge with a rotary tool or electric buff.

On stainless steel

Wipe with a dab of Gumption on a cloth.
Sprinkle with bicarb and spray with white vinegar.
While fizzing, scrub with a damp cloth.
Polish with a dry cloth.
For deep scratches, apply jewellers rouge using a rotary tool with a felt buff.

On timber

Wipe with tinted beeswax on a cloth.
Alternatively, wipe with baby oil on a cloth.
Alternatively, scribble with a crayon in a matching colour. Aim a hair dryer over the top to gently melt the crayon into the scratch and buff with rolled up pantyhose.

TIP

Don’t use scratched ceramic plates because bacteria can get into the scratches. Recycle them as pot-plant saucers.

SCUBA GEAR

(see ‘Wetsuit’)

SCUFF MARK

On carpet/upholstery

Wipe with methylated spirits or white spirits on a cotton ball.
Sprinkle with talcum powder.
When dry, vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

Place a dry cotton ball on the back of the stain. Wipe the front of the stain with methylated spirits on a cotton ball.
Alternatively, place a dry cotton ball on the back of the stain. Wipe the front of the stain with white spirits on a cotton ball.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On linoleum/vinyl

Rub with a pencil eraser.
Alternatively, wipe with coarse uniodised salt on a cloth dampened with a little glycerine.
For linoleum, buff with a little kerosene on rolled up pantyhose.

On timber

Rub with a pencil eraser.

SEAFOOD

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
For a greasy residue, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly. Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
For an old stain, clean an area twice the size of the stain because seafood stains spread during decomposition.
In all cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
For a greasy residue, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

TIP

To remove a fishy odour in the fridge, after cleaning, mix equal parts dry mustard and bicarb on a tray. Leave in the fridge until the odour is absorbed.

SELF-TANNING LOTION

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Scrub with 2 drops of lavender oil on a toothbrush. Leave for 90 minutes.
Tightly wring a cloth in white vinegar, fold the cloth flat and polish out the lavender oil without pushing it into the back of the carpet or upholstery.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with 2 drops of lavender oil. Leave for 90 minutes.
Alternatively, remove excess then soak in ½ lid of Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action and 9 litres of water for 20 minutes. Don’t use on wool, silk or leather.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On stone

Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Spray with 1 teaspoon of lavender oil per litre of water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.

SEMEN

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
For old stains, place ice cubes in a zip-lock bag and place over the stain first.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water, then leave for 2 minutes.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Leave for 2 minutes.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On mattress

Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Scrub with a nylon brush until the soap becomes foamy.
Sprinkle with talcum powder and leave until absorbed.
Whack with a tennis racquet or cricket bat, or equivalent.
When dry, vacuum.

SHEEPSKIN

To clean

Mix 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo in a tub of blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Immerse the sheepskin.
Gently massage with your hands as though washing your hair.
Rinse in blood-heat water.
To prevent stiffening, dry slowly in the shade. Brush regularly with a hairbrush as it’s drying.

SHOE POLISH

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
For liquid shoe wax, wipe with white spirits on a cloth. Massage with equal parts tea tree oil and dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly. Wipe with a damp cloth until removed.
For shoe polish cream (water-based), wipe with methylated spirits on a cotton ball. Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly. Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
For shoe polish paste, wipe with tea tree oil on a cotton ball. Wipe with a damp cloth.
In all cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
For liquid shoe wax, wipe with white spirits. Massage with equal parts tea tree oil and dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
For shoe polish cream (water-based), wipe with methylated spirits on a cotton ball. Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
For shoe polish paste, wipe with tea tree oil on a cotton ball.
In all cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On stone

For shoe polish wax, wipe with white spirits on a cloth.
For liquid shoe polish, wipe with tea tree oil on a cloth.
For shoe polish cream, wipe with methylated spirits on a cloth.
In all cases, if stubborn, mix plaster of Paris and water to the consistency of peanut butter.
To each cup of mixture, add 1 teaspoon of the appropriate solvent.
Spread 5 mm to 1 cm thick over the stain.
Allow to dry completely. If it feels cold on the back of your hand, it’s not dry.
When dry, brush away.

SHOWER SCREEN

For scratch marks

Glass cancer is the haze on glass that looks like soap scum or water marks. It’s caused by chemical residue and the damage is permanent. Don’t use harsh abrasives on glass (including commercial glass cleaners).
To clean glass and alleviate cancer, wipe with white vinegar on a cloth. Then wipe firmly over the glass with 1 teaspoon of sweet almond oil on a cloth to temporarily remove the haze.

To clean

For glass, clean with white vinegar or methylated spirits on a cloth.
For polycarbonate screens, clean with white vinegar.

SHUTTERS

(see ‘Timber Shutters’)

SILK

For bleaching/yellowing

Mix 2 tablespoons of 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide in a 9-litre bucket of blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Immerse silk with a dinner plate on top to keep it fully in the solution. Leave for 6 hours.
Remove from the bucket and place in a tub of blood-heat water with 1 cup of white vinegar.
Hand wash in 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo and blood-heat water.
Rinse in blood-heat water.
Gently wring and dry flat on a towel in the shade out of the wind, so the fibres don’t tangle and leave a dusty look.

For creasing

Mix 2 drops of glycerine and 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo and add to blood-heat (body temperature) water. Hand wash the item.
Rinse in 1 teaspoon of cheap hair conditioner and blood-heat water.
Gently wring and lay flat on a towel in the shade out of the wind, so the fibres don’t tangle and leave a dusty look.
When almost dry, iron on a cool setting with a cloth covering the silk so it doesn’t contact the surface of the iron.

To clean

Hand wash in 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo and blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Rinse in 1 teaspoon of cheap hair conditioner and blood-heat water.
Gently wring and dry flat on a towel in the shade out of the wind, so the fibres don’t tangle and leave a dusty look.

TIP

Silk can develop watermarks from spot removal so dry slowly in the shade. If you have watermarks, wring a cloth in equal parts white vinegar and water so it’s just damp. Wipe over the stain, pressing heavily in the centre and easing the pressure as you move towards the outside. Dry flat in the shade away from the wind.

SILVER

For tarnish

Sprinkle with bicarb followed by a little white vinegar.
While fizzing, polish with a clean cloth.

TIP

To prevent tarnish, rub silver with a couple of drops of sweet almond oil on a cloth.

To clean

Sprinkle with bicarb and spray with white vinegar. Rub with pantyhose while the mixture is fizzing.
For shadow marks, wipe with non-gel toothpaste on a cloth. Then wipe with bicarb and white vinegar on a cloth.

SILVERFISH

To deter

Place 1 camphor ball, 4 cloves, 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of eucalyptus oil in a small muslin bag. (You could also use 6 cedar chips in place of the cloves or eucalyptus oil.) Tie it off and hang in your wardrobe. Replace eucalyptus and lavender oils every 2 months. Replace the rest yearly. This also deters moths and mould.

SINK

To clean

For stainless steel, porcelain, glass and brass, sprinkle with a little bicarb and splash with a little white vinegar.
If heavily stained, wipe with Gumption on a cloth.
For polycarbonate or composite, wipe with equal parts glycerine and talcum powder on a cloth. Leave for 5 minutes then polish off.

SKI WAX

(see ‘Wax’)

SLUGS

To deter

Crush a whole clove of garlic in 1 litre of water in a spray pack. Leave for 2 hours. Spray over the garden.
Alternatively, wipe petroleum jelly on the edges of garden beds.
Renew every couple of months.

SMOKE

On carpet/upholstery

Sprinkle with bicarb. If you like scent, add a couple of drops of lavender oil.
Sweep backwards and forwards over the surface with a brush.
Leave for 20 minutes.
Vacuum.

On glass

Mix 2 tablespoons of cigarette ash, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of bicarb to form a slurry.
Apply the mixture and leave for 5 minutes until the edges start to dry.
Rub off with pantyhose.

On walls

For light stains, mix 2 tablespoons of cigarette ash with 2 tablespoons of Gumption and wipe with a cloth.
For heavy stains, mix 2 tablespoons of cigarette ash, 2 tablespoons of bicarb and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar in a bowl. Leave for 5 minutes.
Put on rubber gloves and wipe the mixture over the walls using rolled up pantyhose. Leave for 5 minutes.
Remove with damp pantyhose.
To clean wallpaper, rub with a slice of stale bread.

SNAILS

To eradicate

To make a trap for snails, cut an orange in half, remove the flesh and half-fill the two orange skins with beer. The snails will be attracted by the beer, will climb in and won’t be able to get out.

TIP

If snails are eating the mail in your letterbox, wipe under the outside rim with petroleum jelly. The snails won’t cross it. Renew every couple of months.

SOAP SCUM

On ceramic

Scrub with pantyhose and blood-heat (body temperature) water.

On glassware

Mix 1 tablespoon of white vinegar with 1 cup of water.
Place the glass in the mixture.
Polish with a cloth.

On shower screen

Wipe with bicarb and white vinegar on a cloth.
If scratched, wipe with sweet almond oil on a cloth.

SOFA

(see ‘Couch’)

SOFT DRINK

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Scrub the mixture with a toothbrush or pantyhose in all directions – north, south, east and west.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
If there’s colour, wipe with white vinegar and expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.
If a shadow returns in a couple of weeks, repeat.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar and hang in sunshine before washing.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

On stone

Blot with white vinegar.
If stubborn, mix plaster of Paris and water to the consistency of peanut butter.
To each cup of mixture, add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
Spread 5 mm to 1 cm thick over the stain.
Allow to dry completely. If it feels cold on the back of your hand, it’s not dry.
When dry, brush away.

SOIL

(see ‘Dirt’)

SOOT

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by vacuuming.
Cut a cake of bathroom soap in half lengthways and round the edges. Dampen it under cold water and use like a rolling pin across the soot. The soot will stick to the soap. Remove the soot from the soap using water as you go.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Wash under the tap using cold water.
If soot remains, cut a cake of bathroom soap in half lengthways and round the edges. Dampen it in water and use like a rolling pin across the soot. The soot will stick to the soap. Clear the soot from the soap with water as you go.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On timber

Vacuum any loose particles.
Wipe with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid on pantyhose.
Rinse with a damp cloth.

On walls

For light stains, mix 2 tablespoons of cigarette ash with 2 tablespoons of Gumption and wipe with a cloth.
For heavy stains, mix 2 tablespoons of cigarette ash, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of bicarb to form a slurry. Wear disposable rubber gloves (because this mixture can burn skin) and scrub the mixture with a stiff brush. Leave for 5 minutes. Remove with blood-heat (body temperature) water on a soft broom.

SORBOLENE CREAM

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
If a shadow remains, wipe with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
If a shadow remains, wipe with 2 drops of tea tree oil.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SOUP

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
For vegetable soup, wipe with white vinegar on a cloth. If high in vegetable dye (tomato, pumpkin etc.), place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly before blotting over the mark. Expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.
For meat soup, scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Wipe with a damp cloth. If high in fats and oil, massage with a little dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly, then wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
If there’s chilli or red colourant in any soup, place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly before blotting over the mark. Expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.
In all cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
For vegetable soup, blot with or soak in white vinegar and hang in sunshine.
For meat soup, scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
For greasy marks, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
In all cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

SOUR CREAM

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SOY SAUCE

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly before blotting over the mark.
Place the vinegar cloth in one hand and a dry cloth in the other and wipe hand over hand, as though stroking a cat.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Rinse the stain with white vinegar.
If stubborn, heat white vinegar in the microwave until it’s steaming. Pour through the stain until removed.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On silk tie

Soak entire tie in white vinegar overnight.
Rinse in blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Dry flat on a towel in the shade out of the wind. If it starts to pucker, lay another towel on top as it dries.

On stone

Wipe with white vinegar on a cloth.
If stubborn, mix plaster of Paris and water to the consistency of peanut butter.
To each cup of mixture, add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
Spread 5 mm to 1 cm thick over the stain.
Allow to dry completely. If it feels cold on the back of your hand, it’s not dry.
When dry, brush away.

SPA BATH

To clean

Place 1 cup of bicarb in a full tub of water.
Run the spa bath for 5 minutes.
Add 2 cups of white vinegar and run for a further 5 minutes.
Drain and rinse with clean water.
Remove chalk deposits with white vinegar.

SPAGHETTI BOLOGNESE

(see ‘Bolognese Sauce’)

SPIDERS

To deter

Rub lemon skin or sprinkle 1–2 drops of lemon oil (not lemon essence) along the bristles of a clean broom.
Wipe the broom over the areas spiders like – collect the old webs as you go.
If you’re not able to use a broom, mix 5 drops of lemon oil with 1 drop of dishwashing liquid in a 1-litre spray pack of water. Lightly spray over the area every 3 months.

TIP

Make your own lemon oil. Place lemon zest (grate the peel) on plastic wrap and leave on a sunny windowsill. The oil will leach from the peel onto the plastic. Store in a small vial.

SPINACH

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly so it’s damp but not wet. Blot over the mark.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
For a green stain, expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess with cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Alternatively, remove excess then make a paste of Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action and water the consistency of spreadable butter. Don’t use on wool, silk or leather. Place over the stain for 30 minutes.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

SPORT DRINK

(see ‘Energy Drink’)

SPORTSWEAR

To clean

Rinse in 1 cup of white vinegar per 9-litre bucket of water.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

SQUID INK

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Rot some full cream milk in the sun until it forms solids.
Place the solids on the ink stain.
When the ink is absorbed, remove with a plastic comb.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Remove smell by wiping with lemon oil on a cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Rot some full cream milk in the sun until it forms solids.
Place the solids on the stain.
When the squid ink is absorbed, rinse in water.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

STEAK SAUCE

(see also ‘Barbecue Sauce’)

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with white vinegar on a cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
To remove food colouring, expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar until the stain is removed.
Alternatively, remove excess then soak in ½ lid of Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action and 9 litres of water for 30 minutes. Don’t use on wool, silk or leather.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

STICKER RESIDUE

On carpet/upholstery

Wring a cloth in white vinegar and place over the residue. Leave for 30 minutes.
Remove and wipe stain with tea tree oil on a cotton ball.
If stubborn, wipe with eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric (not silk)

Soak in white vinegar to loosen the residue.
Wipe with tea tree oil.
If stubborn, wipe with eucalyptus oil on a cloth.
If residue is yellow, wipe with lavender oil on a cloth.
Wash according to the fabric. Don’t put in the dryer until the residue is completely removed, as the heat from the dryer will set the sticker glue.

On silk

Wipe with tea tree oil.
Wipe with lavender oil.
Wipe with white vinegar.
Massage with 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo using your fingertips.
Rinse entire garment in blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Gently wring and dry flat on a towel in the shade away from the wind, so the fibres don’t tangle and leave a dusty look.

STICKY LABEL

On glass jar

Fill the jar with hot water and put the lid on. Leave for 5 minutes. The label should peel off. To remove residue, wipe with tea tree oil.
Alternatively, mix 1 drop of dishwashing liquid and a little water on plastic wrap. Place the plastic wrap over the label. Leave for 10 minutes. Remove the plastic wrap – the sticker should come away.
Alternatively, run a hair dryer backwards and forwards over the label to melt the glue.
For stickier labels, apply 2 drops of tea tree oil along the top edge of the label. Leave for about 15 minutes. Peel off.
Stronger still is eucalyptus oil applied with a cotton ball. Use sparingly because it can remove paint.

STICKY TAPE RESIDUE

On carpet/upholstery

Mix ½ teaspoon of tea tree oil and 2 cups of blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Wipe on the solution with pantyhose until the residue is removed. Allow to dry.
Alternatively, cover the residue with a damp cloth, then place plastic wrap on top. Leave for 5 minutes.
Remove the plastic and wipe tea tree oil over the adhesive gum. Roll the adhesive gum off with tissues.

TIP

Everything – from sticky tape to scissors – should have a designated spot. Putting items in a special place will not only speed up your cleaning, but life inside the house will also be easier because you won’t be searching high and low for whatever you need.

STRAWBERRY

(see ‘Berry’)

SUNSCREEN

On carpet/upholstery (not leather)

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Wipe with 2 drops of glycerine on a toothbrush. Leave for 90 minutes.
Tightly wring a cloth in white vinegar, fold the cloth flat and polish out the glycerine without pushing it into the back of the carpet or upholstery.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with 2 drops of glycerine on a toothbrush. Leave for 90 minutes.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On leather

Wipe with saddle soap on pantyhose.
Remove with paper towel.
Wipe with leather conditioner. Make your own – see Household formulas.

On plastic in car interior

Wipe with equal parts glycerine and dishwashing liquid on a cloth.
Remove with a warm, damp cloth.

SUPERGLUE

On carpet/upholstery

Wedge a metal comb underneath the superglue to protect the surface. Wipe only over the superglue with superglue remover or acetone (not nail polish remover) on a cotton bud. The superglue will melt.
Alternatively, apply steam to the superglue and rub with pantyhose.
In both cases, neutralise the smell by wiping with white vinegar on a cloth.

On quartz/stone benchtops

Wring a cloth in boiling water, place the cloth over the stain for 30 seconds, then remove the glue with either a credit card or a single-sided razor blade held at a low angle.
Wipe with superglue remover or acetone on a cloth.
Neutralise with white vinegar on a cloth.

SUSHI

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or blotting with paper towel.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly so it’s damp but not wet. Blot over the mark.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SWEAT MARKS

(see ‘Body Odour/Perspiration’)

SWEET CHILLI SAUCE

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Place white vinegar on a cloth and wring tightly so it’s damp but not wet. Blot over the mark.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth until the dishwashing liquid is removed.
Alternatively, remove excess, wipe with lemon juice on a cloth, then massage with dishwashing liquid until the liquid feels like jelly.
In both cases, absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

Rinse the stain with white vinegar.
If stubborn, heat white vinegar in the microwave until it’s steaming. Pour through the stain until removed.
To remove oils, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

SWEET POTATO

On carpet/upholstery

For cooked sweet potato, remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb. For raw sweet potato, wipe with equal parts glycerine and white vinegar on a cloth first.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

For cooked sweet potato, remove excess under the tap using cold water. For raw sweet potato, wipe with equal parts glycerine and white vinegar on a cloth first.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

SWIMMING COSTUME

To clean

Never wash with laundry detergent. Laundry detergent breaks down latex and elastane, making them perish, pucker and lose elasticity.
Rinse in 1 cup of white vinegar per 9-litre bucket of water. If you rinse right after swimming, your swimming costume will last for longer.
Dry in sunshine.