The recipe bench

Mix

• 600ml warm water
• 60ml d-limonene (orange terpene)
• 45ml non-ionic surfactant (coco glucoside)
• 1 tbsp washing soda
• 5 drops glycerine (keeps it from drying tacky)

Method

1. Dissolve the washing soda in the warm water first — never in the concentrate.
2. Stir the surfactant in slowly to avoid a foam volcano.
3. Add the terpene last and shake for 20 seconds.
4. Label with date and a 1:4 dilution note for light jobs.

Mix

• 4.5L hot water (55°C)
• 150g sodium metasilicate
• 100ml butyl-free solvent booster
• 30ml rinse aid

Method

1. Mask electrics and pilot assemblies before you wet anything.
2. Brush on top-down, leave 8 minutes dwell — don't let it dry.
3. Agitate with a nylon pad, then wipe with a clean flooded towel.
4. Final pass with plain hot water so no film hazes over.

Mix

• 800ml water
• 120ml alkaline degreaser concentrate
• 60ml foaming agent (decyl glucoside)
• 1 tsp corrosion inhibitor

Method

1. Cool the engine fully, bag the alternator and fuse box.
2. Foam from the bottom up, agitate with a detail brush.
3. Rinse with a light fan spray — no pressure washer at seals.
4. Blow dry and dress the plastics.

Mix

• 300g bicarbonate of soda
• 120ml liquid castile soap
• 60ml white vinegar (add last)
• 1 tbsp coarse salt for grip

Method

1. Mix bicarb and soap into a stiff paste.
2. Add vinegar in a slow trickle so the fizz stays in the bowl.
3. Trowel onto cold grates, wrap in foil for 30 minutes.
4. Scrub with a wire brush and rinse hot.

Mix

• 600ml distilled water
• 100ml isopropyl alcohol
• 2 tsp coco glucoside
• 10 drops lemongrass oil

Method

1. Distilled water only — tap minerals are what leave streaks.
2. Alcohol first, surfactant second, oil last.
3. Shake before every use, mist and wipe with a dry microfibre.

Mix

• 400ml distilled water
• 80ml isopropyl alcohol
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 drop washing-up liquid

Method

1. One drop of detergent only — more means smears forever.
2. Work top to bottom, buff dry with a waffle-weave towel.
3. Do glass in shade; sun-dried glass always streaks.

Mix

• 350ml water
• 120ml citric acid solution (20%)
• 1 tbsp xanthan gum
• 5 drops eucalyptus oil

Method

1. Sprinkle the gum in while whisking so it hydrates without lumps.
2. Stir the citric solution in; the gel should cling to a vertical tile.
3. Dwell 10-15 minutes, agitate the grout lines, rinse well.

Mix

• 250ml water
• 100g oxygen bleach powder
• 50ml castile soap

Method

1. Mix fresh — oxygen bleach loses punch within the hour.
2. Brush into joints, leave 10 minutes, do not let it dry white.
3. Rinse and dry, then seal the grout once fully cured.

Mix

• 5L warm water
• 2 tsp neutral pH floor soap
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp white vinegar

Method

1. Wring the mop until it's barely damp — standing water kills finishes.
2. Work with the grain in 1m passes.
3. Buff dry behind yourself with a flat microfibre.

Mix

• 9L hot water
• 500ml alkaline stripper concentrate
• 250ml degreaser concentrate

Method

1. Cordon the bay, wet-vac the loose grit first.
2. Flood a 4m² section, dwell 5 minutes, scrub with a red pad.
3. Extract, neutral rinse, then re-seal once fully dry.

Mix

• 10L hot water
• 150g oxygen bleach
• 60ml enzyme detergent
• 2 tbsp washing soda

Method

1. Soak greasy microfibres 30 minutes before they see a machine.
2. Wash at 60°C with no fabric softener — softener blinds microfibre.
3. Air dry or low tumble; high heat melts the fibres flat.

Mix

• 800ml water
• 150ml white vinegar
• 2 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
• 15 drops tea tree oil

Method

1. Add bicarb to the drum, vinegar mix to the softener slot.
2. Run a normal cycle — the reaction happens in the wash, not the bottle.

Mix

• 500g melt-and-pour soap base
• 60g fine pumice
• 30ml orange terpene
• 15ml glycerine
• 5g oatmeal for grip

Method

1. Melt the base to 60°C, off the heat before adding terpene.
2. Fold in pumice and oatmeal; stir until it stops sinking.
3. Pour into moulds, spritz with alcohol to pop the bubbles.
4. Cure 24 hours, wrap in kraft bands with your batch code.

Mix

• 500g shea melt-pour base
• 20ml lavender oil
• 1 tsp kaolin clay
• 1 tsp dried lavender

Method

1. Melt low and slow so the shea doesn't scorch.
2. Disperse the clay in a little base first to avoid speckles.
3. Pour, top with buds, cure 24 hours before wrapping.

Mix

• 200g sodium carbonate
• 80g citric acid
• 40g SLSa powder
• 20ml water in a fine mister
• 10 drops fragrance oil

Method

1. Mix dry powders in a mask — the dust is an irritant.
2. Mist until it packs like damp sand, no more.
3. Press into moulds hard, dry 24 hours in a dry room.
4. Bag in PVA film with a silica sachet, 20 per tub.

Mix

• 220g sodium carbonate
• 60g sodium percarbonate
• 40g non-ionic surfactant powder
• citrus oil

Method

1. Blend dry, press firm, cure 48 hours before bagging.
2. One pod per 750ml hot water for hobs and hoods.
3. Mark tubs 'kitchen strength — gloves' for resale.