The Hungry Canary

From Mother’s notebook · Ingredients-only formula

Mother’s Wall Cleaner

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Ingredients

  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ cup 70% rubbing alcohol
  • 7 drops tea tree oil
  • 7 drops lavender oil

Directions

  1. The original notebook lists only the ingredients and gives no preparation or application instructions.

Family history

The family confirms this meant ordinary store-bought rubbing alcohol, and the daughter confirms it was 70% concentration. Mother lived about ten minutes from the ocean in North Carolina, where the yard frequently flooded during rain. The family believes the damp coastal conditions may explain why she used a wall-cleaning formula, but the notebook does not identify its exact purpose or whether it was intended for mildew.

Care notes

Store-bought rubbing alcohol and essential oils can affect painted finishes and some coatings, so test a hidden area first. Do not use on unfinished or delicate surfaces or combine with bleach or other chemicals. Alcohol is flammable. Tea tree oil and lavender oil may be hazardous to pets; avoid using where pets might lick treated surfaces. No claim of mold removal, disinfection, or shelf stability is established by the original notes.