Jubilee kitchen wax — is back. I received the news this morning. (Doesn’t this bottle look so pretty at the top of our homepage?) Here’s the scoop, so far:
The consumer sales representative for Malco, Products, Inc. wrote me:
We just licensed Jubilee® Kitchen Wax from SC Johnson and have it available on our website. I was hoping that you might be able to write about the product relaunch so consumers know they can find it now.
Update 2018, I see it’s now on Amazon, click here (note, links to Amazon may earn me a commission if you buy anything):
Jubilee is an easy-to-use liquid furniture wax made especially for protecting while cleaning appliances, Formica laminated plastic, ceramic tile, enamel and wood.Jubilee cannot scratch, never dulls, is stain resistant and puts down a tough, hard shine that protects surfaces while making spills easier to wipe clean. Jubilee removes: grease spots, soot, lipstick, food stains, crayon, fingerprints and yellow cooking films.
I asked the Malco rep right away, “Is it the same formulation as in the way-back-time-machine days?” She quickly replied:
As far as the formula goes, it is the original formula but we did have to change one raw material that was no longer available and made the product VOC complaint. We also re launched the product Grease Relief last year just FYI! It is available on our website, Amazon and other online stores.
And look closely at the label in the lead photo on this story: “Fatal if swallowed.” READERS, NOTE!
Disclaimer: Here on the blog, as homeowners ourselves, we may try new cleaning products aimed at solving our own cleaning problems; if we think we’ve found something promising to consider, we may write about it. But, we are not professional chemists or engineers or home economists. So, please: Do your own research into these products and their suitability for your projects before trying them. More info in Terms of Service.
And on Amazon here or:
Kimmie L. says
I have been trying to find Jubilee for years! I’d do an internet search and always be routed to VCS for their brand. I hadn’t looked for a while because, to be honest, I had just given up. Today, after spending hours cleaning the inside of my refrigerator and freezer I thought I’d give it another look-see. OMG! I am so happy to see Jubilee is back!! I will be looking around to see if I can purchase a bottle or two (REALLY don’t want a case!!). This is wonderful news! I can’t wait to use it on my black appliances!!
Nate says
I just bought a case – and it does work as well as the old stuff.
Judy H. says
Oh, I remember my Mother always having the jubilee bottle sitting right back in the corner of the kitchen counter. let me tell you, all of our Formica counter tops and appliances were always like mirrors! My Grandma had white enamel kitchen cabinets, a huge wall of them, upper and lower. She’d get her bottle of Jubilee out and work those cabinets over! I’m overjoyed that I will soon have my own bottle of Jubilee and go to work on my Formica counter top in the kitchen and my lovely Formica boomerang vanity tops in my pink bathroom downstairs and the sky blue bath upstairs. Just remembered, my 1950’s double oven and push button cook top will really shine as well. I know, I’m crazy…but it takes a little bit of crazy to love me some Jubilee!
James says
Up until recently I have “nursed” a spray can of Jubilee. It was one of two that was found in my parents house while renovating. Nothing has performed better in the kitchen and bath! I would save this for special occasions, like Christmas. I am so happy to know that it is back! And as for the smell – yes, it is strong. Ah the clean chemical scents of my youth; a Jubilee polished kitchen and Johnson’s paste wax. Not to mention a bathroom scrubbed clean with Janitor In A Drum.
Lynne says
I remember using it on my white shoes in the mid 70s!
John K says
Joe…I don’t know if the new version contains Petroleum Naptha. For pet moms and dads (I am one..I live with a Scottish Terrier) I think it’s our responsibility to call companies and ask them to email a list of ingredients. As much as I love vintage everything there are some products that I no longer use in food prep areas or on my floors if they contain chemicals of questionable health risks. My dog lives on the hardwood floors in our house (he doesn’t like carpeting) so I mop the hardwood floors with hot water only. I wouldn’t want to walk around on chemicals in my bare feet and I wouldn’t want my dog to have chemicals absorb into his foot pads either. Outside on my lawn I also use only organic based lawn products because the classic Scotts lawn products contain too many cancer causing chemicals and can be easily absorbed into our feet and our pets foot pads. There are good alternative products for paint, lawns, floors, countertops etc that are less harmful than chemical ridden products. You just have to do the research and decide what best suits your health concerns.
Joe Felice says
Good points, all. Thanks. I have been going online and pulling up the manufacturer’s safety data sheets for many products. That’s how I found out what was in the floor cleaner. I personally think manufacturers should have to list the ingredients on the can or bottle, like they do for food. I love Kaboom, but when I found out what was in it, it was pretty much banished from my home. I have been making my own cleaner–equal parts white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water. I understand it disinfects, and it cleans very well. For extra cleaning power, I’m told you can add baking soda. I use it on everything, and it really works good on carpet and upholstery spots. But then I read that vinegar is too acidic for hardwood floors, although I recall that, for years, we were told to use vinegar & water for hardwoods. Apparently, anti-freeze is better. (???)
So we come down to what Pam said in the blog: We must make informed decisions based on investigation, and not rely, necessarily, on manufacturers’ claims. It helps, too, for us to be able to exchange information on this forum.
Callie says
It blows my mind that anyone would poison themselves and their loved ones with these harsh chemicals. My house is “clean enough”. I use Bon Ami and vinegar.
Pat says
I have been using a newer product that works like Kitchen Jubilee but I can’t remember the name , it’s something-Shield. It works great.
I also have an original, almost full, bottle of Kitchen Jubilee (in the glass bottle of course) that I bought at an estate sale. I have it displayed in my laundry area amongst a bunch of other vintage cleaning items. I opened it up and it does have a strong smell, just like I remember. If you want a picture of it, or any information from the label, let me know!
John K says
Jubilee! I collect (and use) 1960s and 70s Western Electric Bell System telephones (rotary and early touch tone). I’ve used Jubilee as part of my restoration process for these telephones. Polishes them to their original luster and removes grime and light scratches. I have a few original bottles of Jubilee from the 1970s and the label states that it contained Petroleum Naptha which is pretty harmful if swallowed so I have never used it on my kitchen countertop or on any food area surfaces. And never on the floor unless you want to go sliding on your fanny! I can’t imagine that this is a safe product to use on floors if you have pets because getting it on their paws could certainly be harmful. I had a 1968 Schwinn Stingray green bike with green metallic sparkle banana seat. I also did the cards in the spokes and I had a set of green metallic dice as the tire valve caps. That was one cool bike!
Joe Felice says
Do you think the modern version could still have Naptha? Would that make it non-VOC complaint? Thanks for the heads-up, though. I will check before using it in areas where it could be accidently ingested by any of the 4 babies (i.e., kitties). Yet and still, floor-cleaning products contain anti-freeze. (Propylene glycol, while better than ethelyne glycol, is not good for animals.) My vet said as long as the cats don’t walk on the floor while it’s wet, there shouldn’t be any problem. Maybe someone (you, John?) know of a safer product to clean & shine hardwood and laminate.
I always wondered about the silica in cat litter, but apparently that doesn’t affect cats in the same way it does humans. My vet says she has never seen a case of silicosis in a cat, and only one case of lung cancer. I’m sure that one cat was a smoker. LOL Seriously, though, I wonder if it would have been possible to get cancer from second-hand smoke. I do know that cats do not like cigarette smoke, and even avoid contact with clothing that smells of smoke. Another case in which animals are smarter than we. They know what’s good for them.
Gail says
Steam mop works great on hardwood. No chemicals needed. It leaves hardwood streak-free, cleans, disinfects, no kitty poisons. Cleans up poop, hardened spit up, stains. I clean up after my special needs kitties efficiently.
Joe Felice says
Back in the day, NO self-respecting homeowner would be caught dead without a bottle of Jubilee under the sink! It was a staple in every home. I’m thinking it’s not really “wax” in the sense of Johnson’s Paste Wax (which is still available). I think it’s OK for Formica. Genuine wax would make a mess if used on appliances or, especially, chrome, but in the commercial, she’s using the Jubille on chrome items. I will buy some if it become available in local stores. I’d like to try it on my laminate floor and cabinets. We used to wax hardwood floors, too. Remember? But NEVER put wax on a hardwood floor that is finished with urethane or polyurethane, unless you plan on using the floor as a skating rink. Some people use Pledge on hardwood floors, which is also a no-no. I once went sliding right down some stairs that had been cleaned with Pledge, and, while probably hysterical to those watching, did not sit well with me! (Pun intended.)
A couple of other items that Johnson’s used to make back in the ’60s & ’70s: Big Wally and Keen-N-Shine. Big Wally was great for wiping down painted walls without taking off the paint, and Keen-N-Shine was the bomb for appliances, counter tops and anything else that was looking dingy and dull.
Janet Nelson says
Where can I order this product on the internet. I have tried to find it in stores, but I am not able to find it. Thank you!
pam kueber says
Janet, see the story — the link is there.