House sitting equipment (update)

I posted a version of this earlier but have decided to update it and make it more general.

When one is housesitting as a way of life one has to do things to keep oneself orientated and functional. There is also the issue of not wanting to damage things in the house you are sitting and the fact that, people simply don't always have the stuff you need to organise yourself efficiently. I am lucky enought to have a home base (a shared flat) where I can pick up and drop off stuff. If I was housesitting overseas - obviously I wouldn't have the luxury of being able to carry all this kit! Here is my list:

Some of this depends on whether or not the house actually has the items

Kitchen equipment
Dish rack. Even if you have a dishwasher you still need a dishrack. I never put saucepans in the dishwasher as they don't really wash. I'm surprised by how many people don't have a dishrack but I suppose people must just put their dishes and pots on the drainer next to the sink - but that system doesn't work very well.

Blender for early morning smoothies, vegetable peeler, sharp knife, cutting board - so I can keep the owner's board and knives in pristine condition.

Dishwashing detergent - so I don't suffer chemical overload using one with perfume I am not used to. The same goes for laundry soap powder.

Rubber gloves for washing up and cleaning.
Sponges, cloths etc.

Bottle opener. When I have people over for lunch I usually need to open a bottle of wine (or two). I have found that the houses I am looking after often have very non functional bottle openers. One house had a 'fish' bottle opener which could only be used with difficulty. One of my visitors, after opening the second bottle, left the cork screwed so far onto the corkscrew section that I had to go and buy a pair of plyers to separate cork from corkscrew.

Salt, pepper, tea, coffee, sugar.

Audio-visual
Cordless phone if the house doesn't have one or if the phone is too grotty. I need to be able to walk around or lounge on the couch while I am on the phone.

Music. Music is very important for my well being! If the homeowner has foxtel I will just listen to the foxtel lounge and cafe radio stations. I will only do this if they have a separate amplifier as I don't want to cause screen burn by having the TV on all the time. If I can't do this, I will bring my ipod and use an FM transmitter to play music on their stereo, or a cable if they have an auxiliary jack, or failing that, my own portable speakers.

VCR/DVD player. If the house has neither one of these I bring my VCR which allows for taping of programs. I have been considering investing in a portable DVD player but will wait till I get a house where I need it.

Laptop. I will often use the owner's computer just for checking email if they are linked up to broadband. I have my own dial up account which is of course transportable from house to house and is good for when no internet is available.

Extension chords, powerboard, double adaptors

Garden
I only bring these items when needed: watering can for the garden, gardening gloves.

General maintenance
string, sticky tape and masking tape, plyers, screwdriver,

Bed and bath
Mattress protector. I don't like putting my sheets on the bare mattress. The mattress protector has a double function of protecting the mattress and me from a foreign mattress!

Sheets and towels. Then I have my own 100% cotton items and don't have to worry about a huge wash at the end of the sit.

Pillows - one's own pillows are always the most comfy.

Blankets - one knows where these have been and they are right warmth.

Bedside lamp. There have been some houses which don't have bedside lamps.

Pet equipment
Dog food bowls. One house had such miniscule plastic bowls which kept sliding everywhere and slopping the food over the sides that I invested in two proper dog bowls to make my life easier.

Kitty litter. One house had a cat who would often stay in at night - but no outside access and no kitty litter. It didn't actually use the kitty litter I set up however. In another house, I set up a kitty litter at night on the front verandah so the cat didn't have to go out and be beaten up by the toms next door.

Disinfectant, rubber gloves, dog poo bags, urine-off cleaner. These speak for themselves really!

Retractable dog leads. With unruly dogs not trained to walk properly on the leash these have come in handy.

Pet brush for brushing animals if there are no brushes in the house.

Pet toys - very occasionally. These usually don't work.

I tend move stuff in and out when the home owner is not around. I have noticed that owners don't like it when they see you arrive with a whole heap of bags!