ACETONE is a volatile, flammable ketone. It’s a liquid solvent for resins, primers, nail polish, superglue, acrylics and heavy plastics. Available at the supermarket and hardware stores.
BABY OIL is also known as mineral oil. It’s a lubricant and skin ointment and dilutes dark oils. Available from the supermarket or chemist.
BATHROOM SOAP is a regular white cake of soap (not laundry soap). The less fragrance it has, the better it is to clean with. Use to remove protein stains. It’s available at the supermarket.
BAY LEAVES are a moth and weevil deterrent available from the greengrocer or supermarket.
BEESWAX is the wax produced by bees when making honeycomb and is used as a polishing, lubricating and sealing agent. It’s available at hardware stores, chemists, some supermarkets or your local apiarist.
BICARB (BICARBONATE OF SODA OR BAKING SODA) is a salt and alkaline that neutralises acid. When added to an acid (such as white vinegar), it releases carbon dioxide and water. It penetrates stains and dissolves grease. Available at the supermarket.
BLOOD-HEAT WATER is water at body temperature or 37°C.
BORAX is crystalline sodium borate and is used as a fungicide, insecticide and detergent booster. It’s mildly toxic and should be used with care. Avoid contact with skin and avoid ingestion. Available from the supermarket.
BRAN – see ‘Unprocessed wheat bran’.
BRASSO is a proprietary abrasive product that partially melts polyurethane. It’s available at the supermarket.
BROOMS come in many sizes and varieties. Available from the supermarket and hardware store.
BUCKETS come in various sizes – 9 litres is most common – and are available at the supermarket and hardware store.
CAMPHOR is a ketone from the camphor laurel tree. It’s flammable and has a strong vapour that deters many insects, particularly moths, as well as cats and possums. It’s found in mothballs, naphthalene flakes and Vicks VapoRub and is available from the supermarket. Do not use mothballs or naphthalene flakes if you have children under 3 years of age. Any children’s clothes that have been exposed to these should be aired outdoors to remove odour and washed before use.
CARNAUBA WAX is a hard, fine wax used in furniture and timber polish. It’s available from the hardware store.
CARPET CLEANER comes in many varieties. They can be soap-based, bicarb-based, detergent-based or alcohol-based.
CEDAR CHIPS are a moth deterrent. Available from the supermarket.
CERA WAX is a component of liquid wax polish used on marble and natural stone. Brands include Tenax CeraFluida Natural Stone Liquid Wax and Surie Liquid Wax Polish. Source it online.
CHALK STICKS are very absorbent and are also useful to mark around urine stains. Available from the supermarket, craft store, newsagent and toy store.
CIGARETTE ASH removes smoke and soot stains. Get some from your local club or hotel.
CITRIC ACID POWDER is a white crystalline powder derived from lemons, oranges and some berries. Available at the supermarket.
CLOTH is any lint-free, cotton-based cloth used to blot or wipe over stains. Old cotton T-shirts make great cloths.
CLOVES are a spice from the dried flower bud of the clove tree. They deter silverfish. Clove oil is extracted from the clove flower bud and is used to inhibit mould. Available from the chemist. (See also ‘Oil of Cloves’.)
CLR stands for Calcium, Lime and Rust. It removes calcium deposits from glass and kettles, lime scale from coffee machines, toilets and sinks, and rust from cement, porcelain, chrome and fabric. It can burn, so wear protective gloves when using it and don’t get it on your skin. Available from the supermarket and hardware store.
COLD WATER is the coldest possible tap water and is used when removing protein stains.
COLOUR RUN REMOVER (formerly called Runaway) comes in two varieties – Colour Run Remover: Whites and SOS Colour Run. It removes colour run in fabrics and carpet. Available from the supermarket in the laundry aisle. Other colour run remover products are available online.
COPPER SULPHATE is a fungicide. It’s available at the hardware store and gardening suppliers.
CORNFLOUR is a starch of maize, rice and other grains. It’s absorbent and a very fine abrasive. Available from the supermarket.
COTTON BALL is a round fluffy ball made of cotton. Use to absorb stains. It’s available from the supermarket.
COTTON BUD is fluffy cotton wrapped over the ends of a plastic tube. Use to absorb stains. It’s available from the supermarket.
DAMP CLOTH is a cloth that’s been run under water and then tightly wrung so it doesn’t drip. It could also be a cloth dabbed with water.
DENTURE TABLETS are used to clean dentures but also whiten porcelain and ceramic surfaces. Available from the supermarket and chemist.
DISHWASHING LIQUID removes grease. Add a couple of drops to your fingertips and massage into oil and grease stains. It’s available at the supermarket.
DISPOSABLE RUBBER GLOVES protect your skin from harsh chemicals and heat. Available from the supermarket.
EPSOM SALTS are a hydrated magnesium sulphate named because they were first found at Epsom in the UK. Use as a bath soaker and also to unshrink jumpers and other woollens. Available from the supermarket and chemist.
ERASER (pencil or biro) is made of rubber and removes lead pencil or biro marks on some surfaces. It’s available from the supermarket or newsagency.
EUCALYPTUS OIL is an essential oil distilled from certain eucalyptus tree leaves. It’s a paint and dye stripper and a solvent for adhesives and some resins, and it releases vapours that inhibit some insects. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
FULLER’S EARTH is a calcium clay with a bleaching agent and is very absorbent. It’s a wool relaxant. Use to shrink and unshrink woollens. Available at the chemist or from cosmetic manufacturing companies.
GLYCERINE is a clear liquid used as an agent in cosmetics, toothpaste and shampoos. It’s water- and alcohol-soluble. Glycerine helps to loosen stains, particularly tannin stains. Available at the supermarket or chemist.
GROUT RAKE is a handheld device with a flat tungsten tip that’s run against grout to remove it by making it powdery. Grout rakes are available at the hardware store.
GUMPTION is a greyish cleaning paste with many uses. It contains a mild bleaching agent and is an abrasive. Available at the supermarket.
HAIR CONDITIONER (CHEAP) has fewer perfumes and additives than more expensive ones. Use to rinse and soften woollens. Available at the supermarket or chemist.
HAIR DRYER speeds drying time and helps melt wax and crayon stains. It’s available from department stores.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3 PER CENT) is an oxidising liquid. Use as an antiseptic and bleaching agent. It’s available at the supermarket and chemist.
IRON is a household clothes iron. It’s available from department stores.
JEWELLERS ROUGE removes fine scratches in glass. Available at the hardware store or online.
KEROSENE is a combustible liquid hydrocarbon. Use as a solvent. It’s available at the hardware store and some supermarkets.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT is used in the washing machine to lift dirt and stains from fabric. It’s available at the supermarket.
LAVENDER OIL is from lavender flowers and is used in many ways, including as a pollen remover, insect repellent, dog inhibitor and air freshener. Available at the supermarket, chemist and health food store.
LEATHER CONDITIONER is used to treat leather. It’s available at shoe repair stores and hardware stores. Or make your own – see Household formulas.
LEMON JUICE is used to remove rust stains and to lighten or bleach colour. Lemons and lemon juice are available at the supermarket and greengrocer.
LEMON OIL is the oil in lemon peel. Use to deter spiders, polish pale timbers and provide a fresh fragrance. Available at the health store, or make your own – see under ‘Spiders’.
METAL COMB is used to remove nail polish from carpet. It’s available at chemists.
METHYL ETHYL KETONE (MEK) is a solvent. It’s very toxic and should only be applied wearing gloves and a mask in a well-ventilated area. Available at the hardware store.
METHYLATED SPIRITS is a raw alcohol with menthol. It’s a solvent for some paint and marker inks, and helps release stains and smells from synthetic materials. Available from the supermarket and hardware store.
NO-FIL SANDPAPER is a lightweight sanding sheet made of silicon carbide abrasive. Available at the hardware store.
NYLON BRUSH is a dishwashing brush. It’s available at the supermarket.
OIL OF CLOVES is cold-pressed oil from the dried flower bud of the clove tree. It’s a mould inhibitor, insecticide, toothache soother and ingredient in cooking. Available at the chemist.
OIL OF PENNYROYAL is oil from a small-leafed mint. It deters moths, bed bugs and fleas, but is harmful to pregnant women and pregnant pets. Use with care. Remember 1 drop means 1 drop. Available at the chemist or online.
PANTYHOSE/STOCKINGS have a weave and fibre that make them a great scrubber and polisher. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
PAPER TOWEL is used to polish glass, and absorb stains and excess moisture. It’s available at the supermarket.
PETROLEUM JELLY (VASELINE) is a mixture of mineral oils, paraffin and microcrystalline waxes. It acts as a water barrier and inhibits snails. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
PILLOWCASE can be used to hold items and protect delicates in the washing machine. Available at department stores.
PLASTIC COMB is ideal for picking up spills and stains from carpet and upholstery. It’s available at the supermarket or chemist.
PLASTIC WRAP is cling wrap. Available from the supermarket.
PLASTER OF PARIS is white powder made of calcium sulphate, which forms a paste when mixed with water. It has absorbent properties. Available from art suppliers and hardware stores.
POTTER’S PLASTER is very similar to plaster of Paris, but is higher in lime. It also has absorbent properties. Available from art suppliers and hardware stores.
RANEX removes calcium, lime and rust. It can burn, so wear protective gloves when using it and don’t get it on your skin. It’s available at hardware stores.
ROTTEN MILK is full cream milk left to rot in the sun until it forms solids. It absorbs ink stains. Buy milk from the supermarket.
RUST CONVERTER is a product that converts iron oxide rust into metal that protects the surface from corrosion. Available at hardware stores.
SADDLE SOAP cleans leather. It’s available at shoe repair stores and some supermarkets.
SHAMPOO (CHEAP) has fewer fragrances and is better for cleaning than more expensive shampoos. Use to wash woollens. Available at the supermarket or chemist.
SHELLAC is a varnish made of a resinous substance secreted through the pores of the Coccus lacca scale insect. This substance is then dissolved in alcohol or a similar solvent. Used for making varnish, polish and sealing wax. Available at the hardware store.
SILICONE is a liquid gel that hardens once applied. It’s used as a join sealant and is water-impermeable. Available at the hardware store.
SPRAY PACK is a plastic bottle with a removable nozzle head. It’s available at the supermarket or hardware store.
SQUEEGEE is an implement with a rubber blade on one side. Use to wipe moisture from surfaces. It’s available at the supermarket or hardware store.
STIFF BRUSH is a brush with strong bristles. Available from the supermarket.
SUGAR SOAP is a highly caustic soap. It comes in powder or liquid form. The powder has a mild abrasive. It’s available at the supermarket and hardware store.
SWEET ALMOND OIL is the oil from almond nuts. Use to clean bone, glass, ivory, Bakelite and plastics. It’s available from the supermarket or chemist.
TALCUM POWDER is a mineral powder. It’s a superfine abrasive and lubricant, and is also absorbent. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
TEA BAG is used after you’ve finished your cup of tea to clean timber and aluminium and to restore tannins. Available at the supermarket.
TEA TREE OIL is oil extracted from the tea tree bush. It’s an antibacterial and removes glues and resins, including chewing gum. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
TISSUES can be used to absorb stains and moisture, and protect surfaces. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
TOOTHBRUSH makes a great mini scrubbing brush. Keep old ones to clean difficult-to-reach areas and grout. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
TURPENTINE is a volatile oil and resin distilled from trees and is a solvent for oil-based paints. It’s available at hardware stores.
ULTRAVIOLET (UV) LIGHT is used to fade stains. (If using ultraviolet light, protect areas around the stain with cardboard.) UV light doesn’t dry stains and you will need to absorb remaining moisture with paper towel. Available from electronics stores, lighting stores or online.
UNIODISED SALT is salt that doesn’t contain iodine. The iodine in salt can stain some fabrics. Available at the supermarket.
UNPROCESSED WHEAT BRAN is the ground husk of wheat. It is absorbent and can be used as a scourer and to clean fabrics and furs. Don’t substitute another type of bran. Available at the supermarket.
VACUUM CLEANER sucks up dirt. It’s available at department stores and specialist vacuum cleaning stores.
VANILLA ESSENCE is extract from vanilla beans combined with alcohol. It offers fragrance and flavour to food and is a deodoriser. Available from the supermarket.
VANISH NAPISAN OXI ACTION has an active ingredient of sodium percarbonate, and is a detergent and bleaching agent that removes some stains. Available at the supermarket and some chemists.
VANISH PREEN OXI ACTION CARPET STAIN REMOVER is a proprietary product designed to remove a range of carpet stains. Available from the supermarket.
VINEGAR is an acid. It’s also a preservative, condiment, beverage and, for our purposes, cleaner and sanitiser. White vinegar is best for cleaning but not on marble surfaces. Available from the supermarket.
WHITE SPIRITS is a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons and a solvent. It’s also known as dry-cleaning fluid, Shellite or Murlex. Available at hardware stores.
WHITE VINEGAR is an acid that cleans and sanitises. Available at the supermarket.
WHITING is a powder used in cleaning and polishing glass. Available from leadlight stores.
WITCH-HAZEL is extracted from the bark and leaves of the shrub Hamamelis virginiana. It’s a soothing and mildly astringent lotion. Available at the supermarket and chemist.
ZIP-LOCK BAG is a plastic bag with a resealable top. Available at the supermarket.
Other basic household items not listed here may be called for in methods from time to time.