"Vaping nearly killed me, says British teenager", by BBC News

I thought it would be pertinent to share this brand new story that came out published online today in the BBC News website. I had already posted some information on the topic concerning the dangers associated to vaping and vaporisers, but more and more reports are coming out that show detrimental effects on lung tissue caused by vaping fumes/toxicants. The truth is that people have been now using these for a while and even though the so called long-term studies aren't still available, the first real-world data is starting to come out... and it doesn't look good.

If you'd like to revisit my post access HERE. For the BBC News story entitled "Vaping nearly killed me, says British teenager" please access HERE. 

Is it safe to fridge-store food in metal container pots?

One of the most long standing myths or undeniable truths that my mother has always reinforced at home was to avoid putting cooking pans, metal pots and the like, in the fridge. From her 'limited' toxicology knowledge metals would leak out of the pot to the food stored in it, hence contaminating the food and consequently the organism of the person eating it/from it. I was a little child when I started hearing her go on about that, but where most of the times it's a hear-say stigma, dragged on through generations and multiplied by the satisfaction of empirical knowledge without consubstantiation by any kind of proven science, other times life has shown me that there is something there to learn from and apply, for the sake of our health and our safety.

Because of all these myths and empirical structuralism of undoubted 'truths' The Toxicologist Today blog was born back in 2010 - 9 years ago!! Today I will once again attempt to unveil the real toxicology facts that lie dormant in this idea that metal pans in fridges is definitely A BIG NO NO!

***

Since food is cooked in pans of all sorts, the first concerns that would emerge from placing a room temperature food-containing lid-covered pan in the fridge would be, in my humble opinion:

- Danger of Corrosion,

- Reactivity between food and container,

- Temperature exposure.

Pardon me for what can be interpreted as a blunt assumption, but from where my common sense stands I can see no other immediate possibilities, but I am well open to contribution (use the comments section down below). However, bear in mind I am not discussing food contamination by bacteria. This is purely related to the putative linking to metal contamination of food when stored in the fridge in a metal pan/container! 

I guess the best way to address the question is:

Can food be contaminated by metals present in food-storing containers when at a temperature equal or below 4 degrees Celsius?

The first thing we can assume is that if the food-storing containers (let's call them FSC for the sake of simplicity) are without lid, exposure to air will (allegedly) dissolute and more rapidly encourage transferring of metals to food that is in contact with [1] - simple oxireduction chemistry. The recommended maximum permissible levels of tin in food are described in Blunden and Wallace (2003)'s review [1] as of typically 250 mg/kg (200 mg/kg UK) for solid foods and 150 mg/kg for beverages. The authors of this review additionally state that based on published data there is only small and almost unintentionally cherry-picked evidence suggesting that the consumption of food or beverages containing tin at concentrations at or below 200 ppm has allegedly caused adverse gastrointestinal side effects in a small fraction of those exposed to it. They say allegedly because this is based on evidence from reports of adverse side effects anterior to follow-up studying of these cases, therefore with "limited", "incomplete" data of "uncertain veracity". Moreover, they have provided numbers on clinical studies reflecting on the same matter, and these refer 700 ppm or above as the concentration relates to adverse gastrointestinal side effects, but they also imply that the observations at higher concentrations lacked uniformity and linearity. Thus, concluding that there is little evidence for a link between "consumption of food containing tin at concentrations up to 200 ppm and significant acute adverse gastrointestinal effects" based on the available studies.

Moreover, and as a matter of additional protection when there are concerns that the metal might corrode, food tins are usually coated internally with lacquer. Lacquer is "a thermosetting resin polymerised on the surface of the tin" . There is a French study showing that such layer provides an approximately 24-fold increased protection in comparison to other tins without said coating (check [2] for references). Over the years this protection might be insufficient, especially in cases where acidic food is stored within, however for the sake of this post I am not considering food stored in fridges for longer than a couple of months.

Conor Reilly (2002) [2] considers that many factors can be involved and must be studied in relation to metal corrosion and metal transferring from containers to food, such as, the "presence of nitrate" in food that can increase the solubility of metals, "storage temperatures, length of storage time, presence of oxidising and reducing agents in the food". But he also states that after lead has been abandoned, the new lead-free containers have reduced tremendously the number of reported cases of metal-contaminated food in developed countries. 

Aluminium appears to be a great food/beverage-storing option for safety/quality reasons as [2] considers that the internal coating of aluminium cans (usually with resins such as vinyl epoxy) and the thermal resistance of the metal, inhibit, to an extent, the dissolution of the metal (check [2] for references). 

In what concerns cooking utensils, there are many safe and valid options these days (e.g., stainless steel and ceramics, etc...) that not only allow rapid conductivity of heat, but represent an adequate barrier to metal degradation even in the presence of acidic foods. Classic tools based on tinned copper are made with 'impure' led-tin mixtures and some studies (check [2] for references) have shown it. On the other hand traditional cast iron pots can contribute to higher levels of iron in food, especially if cooked in low intensity combustion.  Both aluminium pots and foils have been linked to aluminium re-uptake levels, and associated, directly or indirectly, to a range of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's [3]. Aluminium is a well-established, well-studied neurotoxic agent (can trigger oxidative stress,  promote inflammation and cellular apoptosis, etc).

From this very quick investigation of the vastly available literature on this topic, I have understood that the real issue is not so much linked to whether one stores food in metal pots put in the fridge, but the exposure of food to such metal containers, that due to intrinsic properties of both food and container, associated to the different cooking processes (temperature levels, length of heat exposure, etc), can contribute to the degradation of the metal itself and their inner coating layers.

The idea, I genuinely believe, is to:

1) always follow the instructions provided by each particular company on their specific product (read food-containing pot)

and

2) minimise exposure and contact between food and metal container, regardless of how safe the storing temperature might appear to be.

There is an 'infinite' list of studies out there that show many external participants involved in the metal degradation process, and some of these are fairly and unequivocally invisible to our naked eyes, nevertheless determinant in terms of effects to our general health.

[1] Blunden, S. and Wallace, T. (2003). "Tin in canned food: a review and understanding of occurrence and effect - Review". Food and Chemical Toxicology, 41(12), pp. 1651-1662. 

[2] "Metal Contamination of Food: Its Significance for Food Quality and Human Health". Book from 2002 by Conor Reilly- Chapter 4.2.2 Metal pick up during canning, page 51.

[3] Maya, S., Prakash. T., Madhu, K. D., Goli, D. (2016). "Multifaceted effects of aluminium in neurodegenerative diseases: A review". Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 83, pp. 746-754.

First post photo by nrd on Unsplash

Second post photo by Scott Umstattd on Unsplash

On the benefits of cold showers to the immune system - Final Assessment

Four months ago I changed my daily routine tremendously by adding a morning shock strategy to my physical system. After four months of not missing out on my procedures and with disciplined dedication in using myself as subject to my tests, I have finally achieved a point where I can compile an adequate interpretation. Nevertheless, due to limited time and measuring tools/practices, the ASTONISHING results obtained can only be considered anecdotal. However, even if they were entirely placebo, the matter of fact is that I have COMPLETELY resolved three big limitations my Sjogren's Syndrome was still upsetting me with.

What am I talking about?

Remember when back in November 2018 I wrote the very first post on how a daily cold shower therapy had improved tremendously on my energy levels (that due to my Sjogren's was to an extent debilitating and impacted on my quality of life), especially after 6 PM? If you don't, please check the original post HERE. In reality, Sjogren's Syndrome patients state tiredness/fatigue, nausea and reduced alertness has three of the commonest symptoms affecting their daily performance. For me, personally, alertness has never been a problem. However, for a person like myself that has always played football and exercised to a great level, the limitations imposed by Sjogren's on my energy levels were tremendously. Add to that the fact that I am the father of two very young children who extract from me the fuel my reservoir must contain to actively participate in their growth, education and well-being. 

After reading and watching so much about the Wim Hoff Method, I designed my own strategy soon after consulting additional literature on immune system modulation, by means of shock thermal therapy. The initial results vaguely reported this last November 2018 were impressive, as my strategy had resulted perfectly. Driven by such incredible results, I decided to go the extra mile and defined a more dedicated program that helped me achieve even more incredible ones.

What was the objective?

My uttermost objective was to reduce or eliminate tiredness and fatigue I was reporting on a daily basis, especially after 6 PM and that were occurring regardless of my metabolic discipline and dietary constraints.

In what consisted my personal program?

One must know itself and understand to what limits one's body can be taken without generating iatrogenic effects that can be detrimental to one's health, and that might also contradict the improvement desired. In that sense, for about two/three weeks in November 2019 I had been following the Wim Hoff Method by applying his breathing methodology followed by a warm shower (with the duration of 5 minutes) and finally a shocking cold shower for no longer than 25 seconds (in the first three days), 60 seconds (in the following 3 days) and then 90 seconds thereafter. Even though some of the literature states the duration of the applied cold shower does not impact in the outcome [1], I had my doubts. In that sense I decided to gradually increase length of exposure to cold as it would also allow me to stay committed and learn with my own limitations, as I gained experience. 

By then, and after three weeks I was a rejuvenated man. No kidding!!! I felt extremely energetic on a daily basis and the intense fatigue and tiredness I was going through in the evening was no more.

My current personal program:

However, I wanted to be sure that the extremely impressive results I had gone through weren't just a hype of the moment. So I decided to carry this program for an additional 3 months in order to better understand its impact. In addition, because the breathing part wasn't something I could be so dedicated to, on a daily basis, due to domestic and work obligations that regularly force me to very limited available time, I decided to abandon the breathing part and focus entirely on the cold shower therapy. Thus, I simplified the protocol to something that can be applied by any Sjogren's patient at home; nevertheless please bear this disclaimer in mind, it is important to be aware of your medical condition (especially cardiovascular issues) and to be sure that at all times you are either supervised or help's at reach, especially at an initial stage. I do not advocate what I have achieved, as medical treatment. This is a personal discovery that HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!

Everyday I take a warm shower for about four minutes (with soap and all that jazz involved). Right after I take a freezing cold shower for an additional two minutes by starting gradually by my feet, going up the legs, then hips, torso and head. It takes me 30 seconds to get to the head. That basically means all my body will be completely 'touched' by freezing cold water for at least 90 seconds thereafter.

And that's it!

Achieved Results:

Now the best part! I haven't had any tiredness, fatigue OR NAUSEA (yes, you read right!, as I was affected by intense nausea every single evening of my days since diagnosed with Sjogren's or even a little before that). NOTHING! I MEAN ZERO... FOR REAL!!!! Never again have I experienced that sense of incredibly intense will to just stop. I feel invigorated, rejuvenated and am currently attending two fitness classes a week at my local gym (aerobics on Mondays and fitness pump on Thursday) with the duration of 1 hour each. Do you think I get tired after these? No way, I want more and more and more. And this has been the trend for the past 3 months.

Nausea was a constant issue back in 2018. Never again had I any concerns about it. I haven't missed a single day of my cold shower therapy and nausea has just vanished from my life. I hope never to come back.

Final Observations:

We're all different people and maybe my Sjogren's is not as harsh and tough as someone else's, however I did my research and found the solution for my energy problem. If clinicians consider it placebo, which I pretty much doubt as I presented enough scientific literature last time to validate this methodology,... So be it. If placebo works for me, it is in its own nature a great remedy for an issue that can be quite debilitating. With this very simple approach I corrected my own systems and improved so much that I can't believe why I hadn't tried it myself way earlier.

The number of available articles on hydrotherapy is incredibly good for you to go out there and do your own literature research. But I found a wonderful article (I honestly advise you to read it) that debates on the impact of water immersion under different temperatures [2] where one of the cited articles states that "regular winter swimming significantly decreased tension, fatigue, memory, and mood negative state points with the duration of swimming period; significantly increased vigor-activity scores; relieved pain who suffered from rheumatism, fibromyalgia, or asthma; and improved general well-being in swimmers" [3]. 

Mooventhan and Nivethitha (2014) also debate partially something that might possibly explain why it is important to shower the whole body, especially letting the water pour from above the waste line. In this article, two additional articles are cited when the authors state that "Walking in water at umbilical level increases the activity of erector spinae and activates rectus femoris" [4, 5], respectively the back muscles that extend the vertebral column and the thigh/hip inter-crossed muscles. So I think that if you also have the chance to do it at a pool , there might be some additional benefits there. Bear in mind muscle physiology is not my immediate science, I must say. Nonetheless, what we observe here is muscle stimulation, and that is primordial for achieving increased energy levels and better mobility.

In terms of having made nausea absent from my life, this was an unexpected plus from my experiment. But one that I am so happy to have mastered now :) I actually found some information that can indicate a reasoning behind cold showers eliminating nausea in Sjogren's. My suspicion is that it has immediately to do with the endocrine system, but until I find scientific consubstantiation I prefer not to come up with theories that could be simply wrong or distracting from the actual reason.

Any limitations?

Regardless of improvements on energy levels, having eliminated fatigue and tiredness altogether, and made nausea disappear from my life, literature out there states that cold shower therapies do not induce modifications of inflammatory and hematological markers. I do not immediately hold the screening tools to validate that, but at least I'll have a punctual opportunity to see that, as well as any other Sjogren's patient, during annual check-ups.

I hope this article does indeed help you regain control of your life has it has done with mine.

Cheers

The Toxicologist Today

[1] Buijze, G. A., Sierevelt, I. N., van der Heijden, B. C. J. M. et al (2016). "The effect of cold showering on health,  and work:  A randomized Controlled Trial". PLOS ONE, 13(8), pp. 1-15.

[2] Mooventhan, A., Nivethitha, L. (2014). "Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body". N AM J Med Sci, 6(5), pp. 199-209.

[3] Huttunen, P., Kokko, L., Ylijukuri, V. (2004). "Winter swimming improves general well-being". Int J Circumpolar Health, 63(2), pp. 140-144.

[4] Bleakley, C. M., Davison, G. W. (2010). "What is the biochemical and physiological rationale for using cold-water immersion in sports recovery? A systematic review". Br J Sports Med, 44, pp. 179–187.

[5] Bleakley, C., McDonough, S., Gardner, E., Baxter, G. D., Hopkins, J. T., Davison, G. W. (2012). "Cold-water immersion (cryotherapy) for preventing and treating muscle soreness after exercise". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 

Post image by Alexei Scutari on Unsplash.

Limonene in vaporisers and e-cigarettes might induce health problems

I gave it a million thoughts before I even started imagining this post. Believe me, it was one of the hardest I wrote so far, and not because of the science on it, but because of the lack of science available on it!!! 

Even though there are million pages out there on the dangers associated to the use of limonene, as you already know, I'm not one willing to duplicate or replicate anyone else's work, especially if already presented with excellent content. 

I then decided to do it a tad different, and when I realised I wasn't writing a post on the toxicity of limonene anymore, I was writing a post on a very specific putative danger associated to its inhalation via e-cigarette/vaporiser.

But before progressing any further and for the sake of contextualisation, it is imperative to draw a few preliminary lines on the whole topic. For that matter I'll use some direct questions in order to make scientific sense of the info readily available on limonene. 

What is limonene?

Limonene, also known as Alpha-Limonene, Alpha-Limonène, Dipentene, D-Limonene, D-Limonène, L-Limonene, L-Limonène, Limonène, Limoneno, R-Limonene, R-Limonène, S-Limonene [1] is a low toxicity volatile organic chemical compound that can be found in the peels of citrus fruits, among other plants.

What is limonene used for?

The different industries realised that limonene has many applications. This compound has been used, for example, in the pharmaceutical industry in products that require improved skin penetration [2], in weight loss drugs and supplements [3], extensively used in immunooncology research [4, 5], in the food industry as flavouring [6], in house cleaning products due to its scent. In this sense the volatile nature of this product is often related to certain hazards, but if you need to know more I advise you to read this source [7] containing a great easy-to-understand summary on the dangers of inhalation of limonene, and consequently, formaldehyde. You don't know what formaldehyde is? Well, it is a product that in the specific case of the example we are hereby analysing, is generated by the reaction between ozone and limonene. If we consider that limonene is extensively used in air sprays or as a solvent, then we must also consider the large amounts of formaldehyde (a strong carcinogenic, irritant and corrosive substance) [8] that is being inhaled by people all over the globe. However, specialists at the World Health Organisation consider these to be of trace levels, and thus, irrelevant health-wise.

On the dangers associated to inhaling limonene... for fun... or out of habit:

Now imagine if you are one of those people that have replaced sucking on a cigarette (a terrible unhealthy habit I mastered from the age of 17 to the age of 27) by sucking on a device known as Electronic Cigarette (some with crazy shapes like dragons or butterflies). Many of those daily recreational users of electronic cigarettes or vaporizers tend to claim these are a safe option. But in reality there is still insufficient data to claim these devices and their contents are safe for human use. From the Herbert Gilbert's idea of an electronic cigarette back in 1967, to the first modern e-cigarette by the Chinese Hon Lik company in the year 2000, very little research on short-, long-term use inhalation of the numerous constituents of these inhaling solutions has been presented to public eye. No one can immediately state that electronic cigarettes and vaporisers are safe or less unhealthy a habit in comparison to the murderous predecessor cigarette.

I found an article that 'supports' the idea that people randomly vaporising my face (when I'm out there on the streets) is enough a reason to go bonkers and mentally imagine slapping that sh*t out of their faces. I never do it, but the rabid Dwayne Johnson in me clearly wants to come out seeking vengeance. The article I tell you about is the Clapp and Jaspers (2017) [9] where the authors produced a great review linking e-cigarettes to asthma. Something the public should be reflecting on. In their article they go on about, among other very important aspects, the possible impact of the potent TRPA1 agonist role of common electronic cigarette's/vaporiser's flavouring agents... such as LIMONENE (the one that offers that lemony scent). Meaning that these agents promote a strong pulmonary reflex response that might be involved in contributing to exacerbation of asthma, but is also related to exacerbation of oral lichen planus (a chronic inflammatory condition affecting oral mucous membranes [10]). In itself, oral lichen planus is not seen as a serious condition... until we realise that there is a 1% risk of developing into an oral cancer [11]. That's 1 in 100, 10 in a thousand, and so on and so forth.

In summary, there is so much more to know and research about these vaporisers that until we can actually assume full understanding of the impact of such agents on human health, a lot of studies must be adequately conducted. My question is, if so little was known about the short- and long-term use of these substances, how come were they so easily made legal for human consumption as inhalers? And if we go a bit deeper, most of the knowledge gathered so far, that actually excuses the use of substances like limonene in vaporisers and e-cigarettes, is based on single exposures... someone forgot to look into the combinatorial effects. A simple example is the one aforementioned: Limonene + Ozone = Formaldehyde!

*** 

[1] Limonene, WebMD, [https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1105/limonene], last visited on the 2nd of March 2019, last update unknown.

[2] Almirall, M. ,  Montaña, J. ,  Escribano, E. ,  Obach, R. ,  Berrozpe, J. D. (1996). "Effect of d-limonene, alpha-pinene and cineole on in vitro transdermal human skin penetration of chlorpromazine and haloperidol". Europe PMC, 46(7), pp. 676-680.

[3] Brudnak, M. A. (2002). "Weight-loss drugs and supplements: are there safer alternatives?". Medical Hypotheses, 58(1), pp. 28-33.

[4] Rodrigues, B. S., Ávila, R. I., Benfica, P. L., et al (2018). "4-Fluorobenzaldehyde limonene-based thiosemicarbazone induces apoptosis in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells", Life Sciences, 203, pp. 141-149.

[5] Yu, X., Lin, H., Wang, Y. et al (2018). "d-limonene exhibits antitumor activity by inducing autophagy and apoptosis in lung cancer". OncoTargets and Therapy, 11, pp. 1833–1847.

[6] Guneser, O., Demirkol, A., Yuceer, Y. K. (2017) "Production of flavor compounds from olive mill waste by Rhizopus oryzae and Candida tropicalis". Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, 48(2), pp. 275–285.

[7] What is limonene, cleansmart, [http://www.ukcpi.org/features/limonene], last visited on the 2nd of March 2019, last update unknown.

[8] Medical Management Guidelines for Formaldehyde, Agency for Toxic Substances, last visited on the 2nd of March 2019, last update on the 21st of October 2014.

[9] Clapp, P. W., and Jaspers, I. (2017). "Electronic Cigarettes: Their Constituents and Potential Links to Asthma". Current allergy and asthma reports, 17(11), pp. 79-101. 

[10] Shan, D., Long, H., Lai, W. 2017). "TRPA1 may contribute to the exacerbation of oral lichen planus through Koebner phenomenon". Oral diseases, Letter to the Editor.

[11] Oral Lichen Planus, British Asociation of Dermatologists, [http://www.bad.org.uk/shared/get-file.ashx?id=111&itemtype=document], last visited on the 2nd of March 2019, last update on May 2016.

Post image by Finn Gross Maurer on Unsplash.

***

https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-we-take-lifelong-impact-air-pollution

http://www.ukcpi.org/features/limonene

https://www.who.int/ipcs/publications/cicad/en/cicad05.pdf?ua=1

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35281338

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+1809

https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-we-take-lifelong-impact-air-pollution

Practical tips for stain removal

Happy New Year! I know it's been long since I found proper time to update the blog, but writing a book and working hard to progress with my career whilst caring for two children is not an easy task. Have I said that many times before??? Apologies :DDDDD. Having said that I am preparing a series of very interesting articles that I'll be posting throughout January and February 2019. I leave you with a few 'spoilers', though. There'll be an article on Nematomorpha, on blockchain and antimicrobial drug resistance, on limonene air sprays, on inflammation, on Sjogren's syndrome (this one you cannot miss as I'm the Guinea Pig in the experiment), one on anti-psychotics and a chronicle/essay on the job market/immigration (I know I always said I avoid any political stance in this blog but there's a moment we have to discur on what is being done to humanity when it does affect us all). As you see, it is a wonderful time for visiting The Toxicologist Today and this couple of months will deliver incredible information for those with genuine interest in science.

But because I do not want you to leave empty-handed I thought of making use of information that, back in Portugal, at around Christmas-Time-meets-New-Year is given to farmers by a periodical (annual, I guess, can't really say :/) agricultural newspaper. This time I found that they were publishing incredibly useful info concerning...

BEST PRACTICAL TIPS FOR STAIN REMOVAL

[Disclaimer - I was not able to verify any of the tips the table contains and that the authors shared with the public. Some mixtures might produce noxious gases, damage surfaces, be flammable or cause harm if not handled correctly; therefore I recommend common-sense and caution if you happen to decide on trying any of the tips at your own risk. Instead of expecting me to go double check the science behind these approximately 50 different tips, why don't you just individually ask me to do the ones you are really interested in. Because time is money and we all need it, when you send in your request, please also visit the different ads that you can find within the blog as they help me maintain the blog alive!!!].

Stain To Remove	From Surface	With Removal Product	How to do it
Plaster	Floor	Vinegar	Eliminate plaster debris by scrubbing the surface with a cloth soaked in vinegar
Fat	Suede	Ether	Scrub with a cloth soaked in ether
Fat	Leather	Turpentine	Scrub with a cloth soaked in essence of turpentine
Fat	Tile	Ammonia	Scrub with a sponge soaked in ammonia and hot water
Fat	Ceramics	Ammonia	Eliminate stain with cotton soaked in ammonia
Fat	Wool	Turpentine	Scrub with a sponge moist in turpentine
Fat	Cotton	Petrol	Dissolve stain with a cloth soaked in a lighter’s petrol, then wash and rinse
Fat	Synthetic fabrics	Ether	Dissolve stain with ether, then wash and rinse
Fat	Marble	Petrol	Rub stain with gasoline and rinse
Damp	Fabrics	Ammonia	Rinse with ammonia dissolved in water (one spoon per litre)
Damp	Delicate fabrics	Milk	Soak with milk and rub, then wash
Damp	Resistant Fabrics	Lemon	After humidifying with some water, apply a boiled mixture of lemon juice and talcum powder
Iodine	Fabrics	Alcohol	Dissolve the stain with alcohol and rinse with water and ammonia
Mud	Marble	Hydrogen Peroxide	Soak with hydrogen peroxide until stain disappears
Mercury solution	Fabrics	Alcohol	Dilute stain in alcohol and rinse
Mould	Tile	Bleach	Apply bleach until stain disappears
Mould	Ceramics	Bleach	Eliminate stain with cotton soaked in bleach
Nicotine	Fabrics	Alcohol	Dilute stain with alcohol and rinse, but before make sure you try it on a hidden part of the fabrics so to check effect on colours
Oil	Cotton	Purified Petrol	If the stain is a recent one, powder with talcum to absorb the fat. Then rub the stain with a cloth soaked in purified petrol (from a lighter, for example) and wash with water and soap
Oil	Linen	Purified Petrol	If the stain is a recent one, powder with talcum to absorb the fat. Then rub the stain with a cloth soaked in purified petrol (from a lighter, for example) and wash with water and soap
Oil	Linen	Turpentine	If the stain is a recent one, powder with talcum to absorb the fat. Then rub the stain with a cloth soaked in turpentine and wash with water and soap
Oil	Synthetic Fabrics	Turpentine	Dilute stain with ether and then wash with normal detergent
Oil	Silk	Ammonia	If stain does not require dry cleaning, just add water with a spoon of ammonia to the washing up
Oil	Carpet	Trichloroethene	If the stain is a recent one, powder with talcum to absorb the fat. Then rub the stain with a cloth soaked in trichloroethene and wash with a carpet-washing shampoo
Oil	Paper	Talcum	Powder with talcum and apply a hot-ironed blotting paper
Oil	Washable paint surface	Ammonia	Dilute a spoon of ammonia with another one of detergent in a litre of water and scrub with a cloth. Then rinse with clean water.
Oil	Leather	Rub with	Rub with ether-soaked cotton, then apply cream or wax to hydrate and shine up
Oil	Waxed wood	Turpentine	Rub with a turpentine-soaked cloth then apply cream or wax to hydrate and shine up
Oil	Varnished wood	Petrol	If the stain does not go with detergent and ammonia, clean with petrol
Oil	Alabaster	Turpentine	Apply talcum to absorb as much fat as possible, then rub with a turpentine-soaked cotton and apply silicon wax to hydrate and shine up
Oil	Marble	Turpentine	Apply talcum to absorb as much fat as possible, then rub with a turpentine-soaked cotton and apply silicon wax to hydrate and shine up
Egg	Silver	Lemon	Remove the black stains egg leaves on silver surfaces by scrubbing with the half of a lemon
Egg	White Fabrics	Hydrogen peroxide	Wash with cold water using a spoon of hydrogen peroxide per litre of water
Egg	Coloured Fabrics	Ammonia	Wash with cold water using a spoon of hydrogen peroxide per litre of water
Egg	Pavement/Flooring	Ammonia	Add ammonia to water mixed with a floor-washing product
Oxide	Iron	Coke drink	Dip it in Coke soda, then use a soft abrasive,  and then brighten up with oil
Oxide	Iron	Soya oil	Mix soya oil with burned wood ashes and rub with a woollen cloth
Oxide	Iron	Petrol	Leave it in a mixture of petrol and oil, and then rub with a gentle abrasive
Oxide	Ceramics	Oxalic acid	Eliminate the stain  by rubbing with an oxalic acid-soaked cotton
Oxide	Ceramics	Vinegar	Soak with vinegar and non-refined salt
Oxide	Copper	Vinegar	Clean with a soft abrasive cloth soaked in a mixture of vinegar and non-refined salt
Oxide	Copper	Bleach	For deep-sitting stains ‘cook’ the object on a mixture of water and bleach
Oxide	Marble	Vinegar	Rub with vinegar-soaked pumice-stone
Oxide	Fabrics	Lemon	Rub the stains with lemon and add salt

Post Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash