Keeping Cool
Fans: uchiwa and sensu
Shaved Ice Maker
Cold Patches and Ice Pillows: 熱さま (Atsu-sama) in sheet and pillow variety
Dealing with Bugs
Mosquito Incense and Refills: アースノーマット and 水性 are two brands
Roach Motels: ゴキブリホイホイ (gokubuiri hoihoi), and ゴキブリ取り (gokiburitori)
Tick Spray for ticks that live in tatami: ダニアース (dani aasu)
“Cockroach JET” コックローチジェット
Fly Spray
For the Closet
Bug repellent
Moisture Collecting Sheets
Wooden Racks
Moisture Collecting Beads (also good to put in your car)
Keeping Warm
Hot Water Containers (yutanpo)
Disposable Hand Warmers
Rechargeable Hand Warmers (for the environmentally minded individual)
Bed warmers (anka)
Electric Blanket
Humidifiers
Cleaners
Mold Cleaner: “Kabi Killer” カビキラー
Bathroom Cleaners: from sprays to disposable sheets to gels
Laundry Detergent
Use liquid detergent because if you use powdered detergent, it will leave white clumps on your clothes. アタック (Attack), ハミング (humming), エマール (Emaaru), and ワイドハイタ (Waido Haita) are all popular detergents.
Use a special type of detergent called 手洗い用洗剤 tearaiyousenzai (hand wash detergent) on wool and dressy clothes. You can buy the two brands above, 花王のエマール(Kao Emaaru) and LION(ライオン)のアクロン (raion no akuron) at most stores.
Prevent Your Darks From Fading
Specialized Detergent：Domal 998円 (Made in Germany)
※You can buy this detergent at Tokyu Hands or off of Amazon.co.jp.
Some other tips on laundry
- Choose detergents without florescent bleach (蛍光増白剤 keikou zouhaku)
- Wash your clothes using a cleaning net/delicates bag（you can buy a 洗濯ネットsentaku netto in a variety of sizes at any home center or 100 yen shop）http://sentaku-shiminuki.com/sentaku/pointo-net.html
- Wash your clothes inside out, and, in order to prevent fading from the sun, dry them not only in the shade, but also inside in a place with good ventilation.
- Hang your socks by the toe, so the elastic doesn’t wear out.
