Stain Removal: Water

To remove water stains from polished wood, smear olive oil or vegetable oil around it then, using a generous amount of cigarette ash, rub to a paste with oil. If it's an old stain, leave overnight, if not, then wipe clean and polish.

On washable material such as silk or velvet, water spotting may be removed by holding in front of steaming kettle. On non-washable material such as hard water spots on sinks, basins etc wipe off with solution of 2 teaspoons vinegar/1 pint water.

Alternatively, remove a water stain from silk by placing a dry cloth underneath and dabbing the spot with a damp cloth.

Remove water marks off wooden furniture by mixing a paste of butter and cigarette ash, and buff with a damp cloth, then polish. If you don't have any cigarette ash, try rubbing the mark with some real mayonnaise on a soft cloth

To remove water spots from a stainless steel sink use a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar.

Treat light stains (for example marks from a dripping tap) on a bath by rubbing them with a cut lemon dipped in salt.

Bath stain removal: Dark bath stains such as rust: apply a paste of powdered borax and lemon juice, leave for an hour and then rinse thoroughly. Yellow stains on a white enamelled bath, apply a paste made from turpentine substitute and baking soda. Leave for a few hours, then rinse off. Repeat if necessary.

To remove rain spots from suede rub lightly with an emery board. To remove grease spots from suede dip a cloth in vinegar and blot out the stain with a clean cloth or kitchen paper towel, then brush with a suede brush to restore the nap.

If hard water has caused splashes on tiles or glass that are hard to remove, rub malt vinegar over the surface. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing off.