The toolkit
Things you’ll need for the jobs
The tools and supplies our guides call for, each with the guides that use it. The links search Amazon.co.uk so you can compare what’s available — we don’t recommend particular products.
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Home & DIY 17 items
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Adjustable spanner
Used in: How to fix a dripping tap
Search Amazon for adjustable spanner -
Cable, pipe and stud detector
Used in: How to put up a shelf or hang a heavy picture safely
Search Amazon for cable and stud detector -
Cordless drill with masonry and wood bits
Used in: How to put up a shelf or hang a heavy picture safely
Search Amazon for cordless combi drill -
Long rubber gloves
Used in: How to unblock a toilet
Search Amazon for long rubber gloves -
Outside stop valve key, if you need to use the outside valve
Used in: How to find and turn off your stopcock
Search Amazon for water stop tap key -
Plasterboard fixings for hollow walls
Used in: How to put up a shelf or hang a heavy picture safely
Search Amazon for plasterboard cavity fixings -
Plastic drain unblocking stick (optional)
Used in: How to unblock a sink
Search Amazon for drain unblocker stick -
Radiator bleed key (some modern radiators take a flat-head screwdriver instead)
Used in: How to bleed a radiator
Search Amazon for radiator bleed key -
Replacement tap washer or ceramic cartridge (take the old one to the shop to match it)
Used in: How to fix a dripping tap
Search Amazon for tap washer assortment -
Rubber gloves
Used in: How to unblock a sink
Search Amazon for household rubber gloves -
Safety glasses and a dust mask
Used in: How to put up a shelf or hang a heavy picture safely
Search Amazon for safety glasses -
Silicone grease (optional)
Used in: How to fix a dripping tap
Search Amazon for plumbers silicone grease
Cleaning & laundry 11 items
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Bicarbonate of soda, or an oven cleaner kit
Used in: How to clean an oven
Search Amazon for oven cleaner kit -
Citric acid powder
Used in: How to descale a kettle; How to remove limescale from a shower head and taps
Search Amazon for citric acid powder -
Goggles
Used in: How to remove mould from walls
Search Amazon for safety goggles -
Long rubber gloves
Used in: How to remove mould from walls
Search Amazon for long rubber gloves -
Mask that covers your nose and mouth
Used in: How to remove mould from walls
Search Amazon for FFP2 dust mask -
Non-scratch scourer and microfibre cloths
Used in: How to clean an oven
Search Amazon for non scratch scourer sponges -
Rubber gloves
Used in: How to clean an oven
Search Amazon for household rubber gloves -
Soft cloths or microfibre cloths
Used in: How to remove limescale from a shower head and taps
Search Amazon for microfibre cloths -
Stain remover spray or bar (optional)
Used in: How to get stains out of clothes
Search Amazon for laundry stain remover -
Tumble dryer balls (optional, for synthetic duvets)
Used in: How to wash a duvet
Search Amazon for tumble dryer balls -
Washing machine cleaner (optional)
Used in: How to clean a washing machine
Search Amazon for washing machine cleaner
Cooking & kitchen 8 items
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12-hole muffin tin or 4-hole Yorkshire pudding tin
Used in: How to make Yorkshire puddings
Search Amazon for yorkshire pudding tin 4 hole -
Airtight food containers
Used in: How to store and reheat leftovers safely
Search Amazon for airtight food storage containers glass -
Balloon whisk
Used in: How to make a white sauce
Search Amazon for balloon whisk -
Fridge thermometer (optional)
Used in: How to defrost food safely; How to store and reheat leftovers safely
Search Amazon for fridge thermometer -
Kitchen timer
Used in: How to boil an egg
Search Amazon for digital kitchen timer -
Meat thermometer (recommended)
Used in: How to roast a chicken safely
Search Amazon for digital meat thermometer probe -
Roasting tin
Used in: How to roast a chicken safely
Search Amazon for roasting tin with rack -
Sieve
Used in: How to cook rice on the hob
Search Amazon for fine mesh sieve
Garden 19 items
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Biological control nematodes (optional)
Used in: How to protect plants from slugs and snails
Search Amazon for slug nematodes -
Canes or tomato supports and soft garden twine
Used in: How to grow tomatoes
Search Amazon for garden canes and twine -
Cloches or bottle collars to protect seedlings (optional)
Used in: How to protect plants from slugs and snails
Search Amazon for plant cloche -
Compost bin (many councils sell them at a discount)
Used in: How to make compost at home
Search Amazon for compost bin 330 litre -
For pots: peat-free multi-purpose compost and horticultural grit
Used in: How to plant spring bulbs
Search Amazon for horticultural grit -
Gardening gloves
Used in: How to plant spring bulbs
Search Amazon for gardening gloves -
Half-moon edging iron or spade
Used in: How to repair bare patches in a lawn
Search Amazon for half moon lawn edger -
Heated propagator (optional)
Used in: How to grow tomatoes
Search Amazon for heated propagator -
High-potassium liquid tomato feed
Used in: How to grow tomatoes
Search Amazon for tomato feed -
Kitchen caddy for peelings
Used in: How to make compost at home
Search Amazon for kitchen compost caddy -
Lawn mower (rotary or cylinder)
Used in: How to mow a lawn
Search Amazon for cordless lawn mower -
Lawn seed suited to your lawn (shady, hard-wearing or fine)
Used in: How to repair bare patches in a lawn
Search Amazon for lawn seed
Tech & phones 1 item
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USB cable and a Mac or Windows PC (for a computer backup)
Used in: How to back up an iPhone
Search Amazon for usb c to lightning cable apple certified
Car & bike 18 items
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A second car with a healthy battery of the same voltage, or a jump starter booster pack
Used in: How to jump-start a car
Search Amazon for car jump starter pack -
Bike chain lube (dry or wet type)
Used in: How to clean and lube a bike chain
Search Amazon for bike chain lube -
Bike degreaser
Used in: How to clean and lube a bike chain
Search Amazon for bike degreaser -
Bike pump that fits your valve type
Used in: How to fix a bike puncture
Search Amazon for bike pump presta schrader -
Chain cleaning tool (optional)
Used in: How to clean and lube a bike chain
Search Amazon for bike chain cleaner tool -
De-icer spray
Used in: How to de-ice a car windscreen safely
Search Amazon for car de-icer spray -
Foot pump, 12V compressor or a forecourt air machine
Used in: How to check your car's tyre pressure
Search Amazon for 12v tyre inflator -
Funnel
Used in: How to check and top up your engine oil
Search Amazon for car funnel -
Ice scraper
Used in: How to de-ice a car windscreen safely
Search Amazon for car ice scraper -
Jump leads in good condition
Used in: How to jump-start a car
Search Amazon for jump leads car -
Puncture repair kit (patches, glue, sandpaper)
Used in: How to fix a bike puncture
Search Amazon for bike puncture repair kit -
Soft brush for snow
Used in: How to de-ice a car windscreen safely
Search Amazon for car snow brush
Travel 3 items
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Clear resealable bag (about 20cm x 20cm)
Used in: How to pack liquids in hand luggage (2026 UK rules)
Search Amazon for clear toiletry bag airport -
Luggage tracker (optional, for future trips)
Used in: How to claim for lost, delayed or damaged luggage
Search Amazon for luggage tracker tag -
Travel-size bottles (100ml or less)
Used in: How to pack liquids in hand luggage (2026 UK rules)
Search Amazon for travel bottles 100ml leak proof
Pets 16 items
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A cat carrier
Used in: How to get your cat microchipped
Search Amazon for cat carrier -
A mesh pet gate or a glazed door
Used in: How to introduce a new cat to your cat
Search Amazon for pet gate -
A playpen or crate (optional)
Used in: How to toilet train a puppy
Search Amazon for puppy playpen -
Cat claw clippers
Used in: How to trim a cat's claws safely
Search Amazon for cat claw clippers -
Collar and ID tag with your name and address
Used in: How to get your dog microchipped (and keep the details up to date)
Search Amazon for engraved dog id tag -
Cooling mat or damp towels
Used in: How to keep your dog safe in hot weather
Search Amazon for dog cooling mat -
Dog nail clippers
Used in: How to trim your dog's nails
Search Amazon for dog nail clippers -
Enzymatic cleaner for accidents
Used in: How to toilet train a puppy
Search Amazon for enzyme pet stain cleaner -
Pheromone diffuser (optional)
Used in: How to introduce a new cat to your cat
Search Amazon for cat pheromone diffuser -
Poo bags
Used in: How to toilet train a puppy
Search Amazon for dog poo bags -
Separate litter tray, food and water bowls, bed and scratching post for the new cat
Used in: How to introduce a new cat to your cat
Search Amazon for cat litter tray -
Shallow paddling pool (optional)
Used in: How to keep your dog safe in hot weather
Search Amazon for dog paddling pool
Crafts & hobbies 21 items
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3 balls of chunky yarn
Used in: How to knit a scarf (beginner's guide)
Search Amazon for chunky yarn -
14-count Aida fabric
Used in: How to cross stitch for beginners
Search Amazon for 14 count aida fabric -
A chart, or a beginner's kit with everything included
Used in: How to cross stitch for beginners
Search Amazon for cross stitch kit beginner -
A heavy book (or a flower press)
Used in: How to press flowers
Search Amazon for flower press -
A pair of 6 mm knitting needles
Used in: How to knit a scarf (beginner's guide)
Search Amazon for 6mm knitting needles -
Crochet hook to suit the yarn (check the ball band, often 4 mm for DK)
Used in: How to crochet for beginners: chain and double crochet (UK terms)
Search Amazon for 4mm crochet hook -
Darning mushroom (or a jar, tennis ball or orange)
Used in: How to darn a hole in a jumper or sock
Search Amazon for darning mushroom -
Darning or tapestry needle
Used in: How to darn a hole in a jumper or sock
Search Amazon for darning needle -
Embroidery hoop
Used in: How to cross stitch for beginners
Search Amazon for embroidery hoop -
Fabric scissors
Used in: How to hem trousers by hand
Search Amazon for fabric scissors -
Hand sewing needle
Used in: How to hem trousers by hand; How to sew on a button
Search Amazon for hand sewing needles -
Matching thread
Used in: How to hem trousers by hand; How to sew on a button
Search Amazon for sewing thread set
Health & wellbeing 2 items
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Comfortable clothes; a sports bra if needed
Used in: How to start running with Couch to 5K
Search Amazon for sports bra -
Comfortable running shoes
Used in: How to start running with Couch to 5K
Search Amazon for running shoes