Household cleaning materials used for automotive purposes

[Stretch]

Dear All,

I've read a lot about citric acid based cleaning products that degrease and degunk but unfortunately I can't get hold of anything like that locally (I live in Europe in The Netherlands). So I've been looking for alternatives.

I have found that the banjo bolts on the low pressure side piping of my diesel W123 300D come up quite nicely when soaked in a solution of household white washing powder and water.

Oven cleaner also seems to work on the aluminium fuel filter housing - but it is a slow process...

Has any one got any other tips for cleaning cars with easy to get hold of household products?



For example, a search on this forum has produced:-

Peanut butter for rejuvenating black plastic (DON'T DO THIS - SEE UNDER!!!!)

Peanut Butter worked !

Rust removal with vinegar / household lime scale removers

Experiment in rust removal

Does anyone have any more?