C

CANDLE SOOT

On carpet/upholstery

Vacuum. Candle soot is very greasy.
Cut a cake of bathroom soap in half lengthways and round the edges. Dampen it under 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 timber

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

CANDLE WAX

(see ‘Wax’)

CANDY

(see ‘Lollies’)

CAR

For a coffee spill

For a fresh spill, remove excess by blotting with paper towel. Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Wipe with a damp cloth.
For an old spill, wipe with 2 drops of glycerine on a cloth. Sprinkle with talcum powder. Allow to dry, then vacuum.

For mystery stains

Mix 2 tablespoons of bicarb, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of methylated spirits, 2 teaspoons of glycerine, 2 teaspoons of eucalyptus oil and 1 cup of water in a spray pack.
Spray over mystery stains.
Blot with a damp cloth.

For odour

Sprinkle bicarb over the upholstery.
Leave for 20 minutes.
Vacuum.
Add 2 drops of lavender oil to a damp tea bag and place it over an air vent.

TIP

To minimise water use when cleaning the exterior of your car, mix 3 cups of strong black tea, 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in a 9-litre bucket of blood-heat (body temperature)water. Stuff the head of a clean, soft kitchen broom into the leg of pantyhose and secure. Use the broom to sweep the liquid from the back to the front of the car in even, parallel strokes – the opposite direction to that in which dirt hits the car. Pour the remainder of the solution from the bucket over the car. Rinse with a bucket of clean water.

For sweat marks on fabric seats

Place 1 cup of unprocessed wheat bran in a large bowl. Add drops of white vinegar one at a time, stirring as you go, until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. It shouldn’t be wet.
Place in the toe of pantyhose and tie off. Rub over the fabric as though using an eraser.
Alternatively, apply the mixture directly and scrub with a brush.
Vacuum.

CARAMEL

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Scrub with a toothbrush or pantyhose in all directions (north, south, east and west) until removed. Work from the outside to the inside of the stain.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
When almost dry, repeat.
If a shadow returns in a couple of weeks, repeat again.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Rinse with blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CARPET

To refresh

Mix equal parts unprocessed wheat bran and bicarb and sprinkle over the carpet. Bran is an abrasive and bicarb is a deodoriser.
Sweep the mixture into the carpet fibres with a clean broom.
Leave for 5 minutes before vacuuming.

SHANNON’S DIY CARPET STEAM-CLEAN

Hire a carpet cleaner – available at supermarkets.
Use half the amount of cleaning product that comes with the machine (saving the other half for later) and add 2 tablespoons of bicarb, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of methylated spirits, 2 teaspoons of glycerine and 2 teaspoons of eucalyptus oil. This is a great general cleaner so store it in a spray pack and use when needed.

CARPET BEETLE

Carpet beetle eats carpet and its jute backing, leaving a black, sooty mark near the skirting board or doorframe.

For black marks

Sprinkle with uniodised salt and brush backwards and forwards over it.
Vacuum.

TIP

Deter carpet beetle with whole cloves, each stabbed into a bay leaf. Place at 1.5-metre intervals along the walls.

CARROT

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.
For stubborn stains, 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.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar. Hang in the sunshine.
When the stain has faded, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CAST IRON

For rust

Sprinkle with uniodised salt.
Cut a potato in half and rub over the salt until the rust is removed.
Rinse under water and dry.
Heat on a stovetop until completely dry.
Add cooking oil; reheat until the oil begins to fume.
Allow to cool and wipe with paper towel.
Cover with a little cooking oil using paper towel. This seasons the iron.

To clean

When cold, wipe with cheap cooking oil using paper towel.
Heat until the oil fumes.
Allow to cool. Wipe dry with paper towel.
Cover with a little cooking oil using paper towel. This seasons the iron.
If still dirty, scrub with a nylon brush and hot water. Dry and re-season.

CAT HAIR

On blankets/jumpers/upholstery

Put on a pair of rubber gloves and wash your gloved hands with a cake of bathroom soap and water. Shake your hands dry.
Wipe over the cat hair. It will stick to the gloves.

TIP

If you stroke your cat while the gloves are on, it will remove extra fur and reduce cleaning.

CAT URINE

You need to remove every bit of urine or the smell will linger.

On carpet/upholstery

For fresh stains, 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.
For old stains, first find where the urine is. In a darkened room, turn on an ultraviolet light and the urine stains will show up yellow.
Mark around the yellow stains with a piece of white chalk so you can identify the offending areas.
Wipe inside the chalk marks with a cloth tightly wrung in white vinegar.
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 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.

On timber

For fresh stains, 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.
For old stains, find where the urine is. In a darkened room, turn on an ultraviolet light and the urine stains will show up yellow.
Mark around the yellow stains with a piece of white chalk so you can identify the offending areas.
Wipe inside the chalk marks with a cloth tightly wrung in white vinegar.
If the urine has soaked through the floorboard grooves, make a paste of plaster of Paris and water to the consistency of peanut butter. For every cup of paste, add 2 teaspoons of white vinegar.
Spread 5 mm to 1 cm thick over the floorboards.
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.

TIP

To deter cats, use anything containing camphor, such as mothballs, naphthalene flakes or Vicks VapoRub. Mix 1 mothball and 1 litre of water in a spray pack. Shake well. Mist around the areas where you have trouble with cats. Wipe Vicks VapoRub around doorframes. A light scattering of naphthalene flakes under the house will keep cats away.

NOTE: Do not use mothballs or naphthalene flakes if you have children under 3 years of age.

WARNING

Camphor can bleach carpet.

CAVIAR

Some caviar is coloured with lumpfish roe, which is more challenging to remove.

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.
If stubborn, rot some full cream milk in the sun until it forms solids.
Place the solids over the stain until the ink is absorbed.
Remove the solids by lifting with a plastic comb.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
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.
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. Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
If stubborn, rot some full cream milk in the sun until it forms solids. Place the solids on the stain until the ink is absorbed. Remove using cold water.
In all cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CHALK

On carpet/upholstery

Wipe with a slice of wholemeal brown bread (not wholegrain).
If this doesn’t work, mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid with 1 cup of water and wipe on with a cloth.
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.
Alternatively, wipe with white spirits on a cloth.
Sprinkle with talcum powder.
When dry, vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
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.

CHANDELIER

To clean

Turn it off at the switch.
Put a sheet or towel on the floor underneath the chandelier big enough to catch any drips.
On a ladder, remove the light bulbs and put a small plastic bag over each fitting so you don’t get moisture in the electrics.
Dust the tops of the chandelier with a soft brush.
Spray a generous amount of chandelier spray cleaner (available at lighting shops) over the chandelier until it starts to drip. The dirt and dust will run off.
When the chandelier is completely dry, return the light bulbs.

CHARCOAL

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by vacuuming.
Scrub with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid on a toothbrush.
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 by shaking.
Scrub with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid on a toothbrush.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CHEESE SAUCE

On carpet/upholstery

Chill first by covering with ice cubes in a zip-lock bag.
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.
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

Place in the freezer until the cheese sauce goes hard.
Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands. Alternatively, soak in ½ lid of Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action and 9 litres of cold water for 30 minutes. Don’t use on wool, silk or leather.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CHERRY

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.
If stubborn, mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in 1 cup of cold water. Wipe the mixture on using a cloth. Wipe off 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 under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
If stubborn, mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in 4 litres of cold water. Soak for 30 minutes.
In all cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CHEWING GUM

On carpet/upholstery (not leather)

Put ice cubes in a zip-lock bag and place over the gum.
When the chewing gum has hardened, remove as much as possible with a dull blade without cutting the carpet or upholstery.
Rub in circles with a little tea tree oil on tightly rolled pantyhose.
Sprinkle with talcum powder and rub with pantyhose until removed.
Vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

Place in the freezer, or place ice cubes in a zip-lock bag over the gum.
When the chewing gum has hardened, remove as much as possible with a dull knife.
Rub in circles with tea tree oil on a tissue. Little gum balls will form that can be plucked from the cotton or fabric.
Repeat until the gum is removed.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On leather

Put ice cubes in a zip-lock bag on the gum.
When the gum has hardened, remove as much as possible with scissors or a blade. Be careful not to cut the surface of the leather.
Wipe with 2 drops of tea tree oil on a cotton bud. Leave for 1 hour.
Rub off with pantyhose.
Wipe with leather conditioner. Make your own – see Household formulas.

CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in cold water to generate a sudsy mix.
Apply only the suds with a toothbrush, working north, south, east and west.
Wipe with white vinegar on a cloth.
Remove yellow marks with 2 drops of lavender 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

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Massage with a little dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Rinse in blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Remove any remaining yellow marks with lavender oil.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CHILLI SAUCE

(see also ‘Sweet Chilli Sauce’)

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.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a cold 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.
When dry, vacuum and scrub with a brush.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar or lemon juice.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry in sunshine.

CHIMNEY

To work out when it’s time to clean your chimney, scrape a fingernail on the inside when cold. If soot flakes off, rather than smears off, it’s time for a clean. Other clues are excess smoke from the fire and soot falling down the chimney into the fireplace.

CHINA ORNAMENT

China ornaments should be cleaned every 6 months to prevent crazing.

To clean

Add a tiny amount of sweet almond oil to a paintbrush and wipe over dusty areas. The dust will stick to the oil.
For stubborn dust, use a hair dryer on a cool setting.
If china is crazed or discoloured, add 2 denture tablets to a sink filled with blood-heat (body temperature) water. Soak the items overnight. Dry in sunshine.

TIP

Don’t put good china in water hotter than you could leave your hand in.

CHIPS

(see ‘Potato Chips’)

CHOCOLATE

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic spatula or credit card.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
If there’s residue, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly. If the jelly mixture dries out, add a little cold water to your fingertips and continue massaging.
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 (not polyester satin/wool)

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb using cold water.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
If there’s residue, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid until the liquid feels like jelly.
In all cases, rinse using cold water.
Wash in the washing machine on a warm or hot cycle. Dry in sunshine.

On cooktop

Lay a wet cloth over the chocolate.
Hold up one edge of the cloth and apply heat from a hair dryer so the chocolate melts into the cloth.

On polyester satin

Place a dry cotton ball at the back of the stain.
Working from the outside to the inside and rubbing in circles, 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 stone

Scrub with 2 drops of dishwashing liquid and cold water on a toothbrush.
If stubborn, 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.

On wool

Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Rinse in cold water.
Wash in 1 teaspoon of cheap shampoo and blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Rinse in blood-heat water.
Gently wring and dry flat on a towel in the shade.

CHUTNEY

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Mix equal parts white vinegar and blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Apply sparingly with a toothbrush or pantyhose, scrubbing in all directions (north, south, east and west) until removed.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
When almost dry, repeat.
If a shadow returns in a couple of weeks, repeat again.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CIGARETTE ASH

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by vacuuming.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
Vacuum.
Sprinkle with bicarb. Leave for 15 minutes.
Vacuum.
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 shaking.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands.
Sprinkle with bicarb. Leave for 15 minutes.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CIGARETTE STAINING

On carpet/upholstery

Mix equal parts bicarb and unprocessed wheat bran.
Sprinkle the mixture over the stain and sweep backwards and forwards with a brush.
Leave for 5 hours.
Vacuum thoroughly.
For residue, mix 2 tablespoons of bicarb, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of methylated spirits, 2 teaspoons of glycerine, 2 teaspoons of eucalyptus oil, 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and 1 litre of water in a spray pack. Lightly spray over the area. 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 curtains/washable fabric

In a bath, mix 2 cups of white vinegar, 1 cup of bicarb and 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid in blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Immerse the items and stomp over them with clean feet.
Soak for 30 minutes.
Rinse in blood-heat water.
Gently wring. Dry in sunshine.

On walls

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.

CINNAMON OIL

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.

On laminate/polycarbonate

Make a paste of glycerine and talcum powder.
Apply the mixture using pantyhose. Leave for 90 minutes.
Polish off with damp pantyhose. Repeat, if needed.

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 away.
Alternatively, dab a little car polish over the area.

WARNING

Using car polish will remove a fine layer of the timber or coating from the surface.

CITRONELLA SPRAY

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.

CLAY

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by rubbing with a brush and vacuuming.
Wipe with a cold damp cloth in all directions – north, south, east and west.
Rub with paper towel, hand over hand, until dry.
Vacuum.
For red clay, sprinkle with uniodised salt and sweep backwards and forwards with a brush until removed.
Vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

Mix ½ cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of uniodised salt.
Soak fabric in mixture and leave for 30 minutes.
Remove by rubbing the fabric against itself using your hands.
Rinse using cold water.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

COCA-COLA

(see ‘Soft Drink’)

COCKROACH DROPPINGS

On curtains

Wipe with damp pantyhose.
Sprinkle uniodised salt on pantyhose and scrub.
Wipe with 2 drops of glycerine on a cloth. Leave for 90 minutes.
Rub with pantyhose that have been dipped in soapy water.
Rinse. Add 1 cup of uniodised salt to the rinse water to deter cockroaches.

COCKROACHES

To deter

Mix 1 cup of uniodised salt, 1 teaspoon of lavender oil and 1 litre of water in a spray pack.
Spray the solution around doors, windows, drains, air vents and other areas where cockroaches lurk. Respray when you see cockroaches – more often during summer.

COCKTAIL SAUCE

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.

COCOA

(see ‘Chocolate’)

COCONUT OIL

(see ‘Cooking Oil’)

COFFEE

On carpet/upholstery

For fresh spills, 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.
If the coffee contains milk, 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 old spills, scrub with 2 drops of glycerine on a toothbrush. Work from the outside to the inside of the stain. 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.
In all cases, absorb excess moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.

On cotton/fabric

If fresh, blot with or soak in white vinegar.
If old, wipe with 2 drops of glycerine and leave for 90 minutes. Then blot with or soak in white vinegar.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On laminate

Mix equal parts Gumption and glycerine.
Apply the mixture with rolled up pantyhose.
Wipe with a damp cloth.

COLOGNE

(see ‘Aftershave Cologne’)

COLOUR RUN

(see ‘Dye’)

COLOURED PENCIL

On carpet/upholstery

Place 2 drops of tea tree oil on a slice of brown bread and wipe over the marks.
Wipe with methylated spirits on a cotton bud until the colour bleeds.
Cover with talcum powder.
When it dries, vacuum. Repeat, if needed.

On walls

Place 2 drops of tea tree oil on a slice of brown bread and wipe over the marks.
Wipe with methylated spirits on a cloth.

COMPUTER

Be careful when cleaning computer screens. They are delicate.

To clean

Turn the computer off.
Wipe the screen with one damp and one dry pair of pantyhose. Rub with the damp pair and then rub with the dry pair.
To clean between keyboard keys, use a cotton bud dipped in white vinegar. Or place the keyboard inside the leg of pantyhose, turn it over and vacuum through the pantyhose using your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment.

TIP

A square of leather makes an ideal mousepad.

CONCEALER MAKE-UP

(see ‘Make-up’)

CONCRETE

(see ‘Polished Concrete’)

COOKING OIL

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.
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.

On glazed tiles/pavers

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, remove with a scrubbing brush. Repeat, if needed.

On granite/marble

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid until the liquid feels like jelly.
Wipe with a damp cloth.
For any remaining stains, 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, remove with a plastic or wooden spatula so you don’t scratch the surface.

On leather

Place a drop of water on the leather. If it beads, it’s hard-tanned leather. If it penetrates, it’s soft-tanned leather.
For hard-tanned leather (shiny, waxy finish), wipe with 2 drops of white spirits on a cloth. Work in even, parallel strokes across the entire panel of leather. Sprinkle with talcum powder. When dry, brush off.
For soft-tanned leather (low sheen finish/kid/kangaroo hide), oil with leather conditioner and leave for 2 weeks – it takes that long to dry. The stains will lighten as the leather dries.

TIP

If you get grease on a book, cover the spot above and underneath with blotting paper and run a warm iron on top. If the stain remains, wipe two pieces of blotting paper with a little dishwashing liquid, place them above and underneath the stain and press firmly with a very cool iron on top. It’s the pressure, not the heat, that shifts the remaining oil.

COPPER

For tarnish

Sprinkle with equal parts bicarb and white vinegar.
Allow the paste to dry.
Buff off with a clean, dry cloth or pantyhose.
Wipe with a little sweet almond oil on a cloth. This prevents further tarnishing.

For verdigris on stone

Place a denture tablet over the stain and secure it with masking tape.
Spray water over the denture tablet. Leave overnight.
Remove the denture tablet and scrub over the stain with bicarb and white vinegar on a scrubbing brush.
Rinse with a hose.

CORDIAL

(Fruit)

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.
For an old stain, wipe with 2 drops of glycerine on a cloth. Leave for 90 minutes. Then blot with white vinegar on a cloth.
For remaining coloured stains, 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.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar. Hang in the sunshine until the stain fades.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CORN

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. It will go grey in colour.
Wipe with a cold 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. It will go grey.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CORN CHIP COLOURING

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess corn chips by lifting with a plastic comb or vacuuming.
Sprinkle with unprocessed wheat bran and scrub backwards and forwards with a brush. Don’t use moisture.
Vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

Scrub with unprocessed wheat bran.
If it gets wet, wipe with 2 drops of lavender oil. Leave for 5 minutes.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CORRECTION FLUID

On carpet/upholstery

Wipe only the correction fluid mark with Liquid Paper Remover on a cotton bud.
Wipe with paper towel.
Alternatively, wipe only the correction fluid mark with white spirits or eucalyptus oil on a cotton bud. Because white spirits and eucalyptus oil can strip colour, test the surface first by dipping a toothpick in the solvent and testing on an inconspicuous area. If colour comes away, don’t use the solvent.

On cotton/fabric

Wipe only the correction fluid mark with Liquid Paper Remover on a cotton bud.
Alternatively, wipe only the correction fluid mark with white spirits or eucalyptus oil on a cotton bud. Because white spirits and eucalyptus oil can strip colour, test the surface first by dipping a toothpick in the solvent and testing on an inconspicuous area. If colour comes away, don’t use the solvent.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On sealed timber

Put on rubber gloves. Wring a cloth in boiling water.
When the cloth is almost dry, lay it over the mark for 30 seconds.
Remove and scrape with a credit card held at an angle. The mark will come away.

COSMETICS

(see ‘Make-up’)

COUCH

To clean fabric

The cleaning method will depend on what the couch is made of. Consult the care label first. It’s usually located on the base of the couch. If there’s no care label, consult ‘Mystery Stains’.
Stains with a ring or circle around the edge contain protein and are removed by scribbling with a cake of bathroom soap run under cold water.
For a greasy stain, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly. Wipe with a damp cloth.
For grime marks, mix unprocessed wheat bran and drops of white vinegar until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Rub over the marks with a stiff, clean brush.
For removable covers, wash with ½ cup of white vinegar and ½ cup of cheap shampoo in the washing machine.
Vacuum the couch once a week using the small attachment, making sure to clean under and behind cushions.

To clean leather

Wipe with leather conditioner. Make your own – see Household formulas.

TIP

If you see a leather couch thrown out during council clean-ups, remove the leather at the back of the couch with a Stanley knife. It’s generally in pristine condition and can be reused.

COUGH SYRUP

Cough syrup is high in sugar.

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.
When almost dry, repeat.
If a shadow returns in a couple of weeks, repeat again.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CRANBERRY SAUCE

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or 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.
When almost dry, repeat.
If a shadow returns in a couple of weeks, repeat again.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Blot with or soak in white vinegar.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CRAYON

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Wipe with tea tree oil on pantyhose – roll over the crayon mark in a circle. The crayon wax will stick to the pantyhose.
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.
Mix 2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid.
Massage the mixture over the crayon marks with your fingertips.
Rinse under blood-heat (body temperature) water.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On walls

Rub the mark with 2 drops of tea tree oil on a slice of brown bread.
Alternatively, rub with a pencil eraser run under soapy water. The wax in the crayon will roll off in balls.
In both cases, wipe with a damp cloth.

CREAM

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
To remove proteins, mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in 1 cup of cold water to generate a sudsy mix. Apply only the suds using a toothbrush.
To remove fats, mix ½ teaspoon of dishwashing liquid in 1 cup of hot water. Apply only the suds using a toothbrush.
Absorb moisture by covering the area with paper towel. Place a book on top of the paper towel to assist with absorption.
Alternatively, wipe with white spirits on a cotton ball.
Sprinkle with talcum powder to absorb the white spirits.
When dry, vacuum.

On cotton/fabric

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

CREAM CHEESE

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.
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 by running under the tap using cold water. Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap. Massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Alternatively, 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 on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CRÊPE PAPER

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by blotting with paper towel.
Mix 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of glycerine to form a paste.
Apply the mixture with a cloth. Leave for 2 minutes.
Remove 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

Mix 2 drops of lavender oil and 2 drops of glycerine to form a paste.
Place over the item for 90 minutes.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CRICKET BALL STAIN

On cotton/fabric

Wipe with white spirits on a cotton ball.
Wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

CROCKERY

Crockery can be made of china, porcelain, pottery, glass or polycarbonate resin.

For crazing/discoloration

Add 2 denture tablets to a sink of blood-heat (body temperature) water and soak items overnight.
Dry in sunshine.

TIPS

To prevent china plates from chipping and cracking in cupboards, put paper towel between the plates. Never put gold-rimmed china in the microwave or dishwasher. Place a glass of water inside china cabinets to prevent crazing.

To clean

Hand wash in dishwashing liquid and hot water.
For extra sparkle, add 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to the rinse water.
Never soak pottery because it can lift the glaze.

CROISSANT

The stain is from butter or margarine.

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.
Consult ‘Honey’, ‘Jam’, etc. if needed.

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.
Consult ‘Honey’, ‘Jam’, etc. if needed.

CURRY

(see also ‘Tandoori’, ‘Vindaloo’)

On carpet/upholstery

Remove excess by lifting with a plastic comb or by blotting with paper towel.
Mix 1 teaspoon of lavender oil and 1 litre of water in a spray pack. Lightly spray over the area and scrub with pantyhose or a cloth.
Alternatively, massage with 2 drops of lavender oil on your fingertips until the stain starts to move.
To remove greasy marks, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
In all cases, 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.
If there’s a dye stain, expose to sunlight or ultraviolet light. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) Check every 2 hours.

On chopping board

Wipe with 2 drops of lavender oil on a cloth.
Scrub with dishwashing liquid and water.

On cotton/fabric

Remove excess under the tap using cold water.
Place a dry cotton ball behind the stain. Blot the front of the stain with lavender oil on a cotton ball.
Alternatively, rub with talcum powder.
In both cases, wash according to the fabric. Dry on the clothesline or clothes airer.

On plastic container

Mix 1 teaspoon of lavender oil in a 9-litre bucket of water.
Place items inside the bucket and leave overnight.
Remove and dry in sunshine.

CUSTARD

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.
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.
Scribble with a cake of bathroom soap. Rub the fabric against itself using your hands. For residue, massage with a couple of drops of dishwashing liquid on your fingertips until the liquid feels like jelly.
Alternatively, make a paste of Vanish NapiSan Oxi Action and water to the consistency of spreadable butter and place over the stain. Leave 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.

CUTLERY

To clean

Wash stainless steel cutlery in dishwashing liquid and hot water.
For rust spots, sprinkle with bicarb and white vinegar on pantyhose. Then wash in dishwashing liquid and hot water.
Wash gold cutlery with bicarb and white vinegar.
Wash brass cutlery with bicarb and white vinegar and then wipe with a little sweet almond oil on a cloth. Brass tarnishes quickly.