Disinfectant polishes comprise a small proportion of a bis-(hydroxyaryl)-sulphide or polysulphide or a substitution product or a salt thereof, mixed with yellow wax and added to the known polish. In place of yellow wax other waxes or solvents such as liquid paraffin may be used. According to an example 20 per cent of a preparation obtained by melting 5 parts of bis-(2 hydroxy-3 bromo-5 methyl-phenyl) sulphide with 20 parts of yellow wax is added to a polish base (not specified).ALSO:Bis-(hydroxyaryl)-sulphides/or polysulphides/or substitution p products thereof may be prepared by condensing, in known manner, alkoxy-thiophenols, or their substitution products, with alkoxy-halogen benzenes in the presence of alkaline agents, and saponifying in known manner, the bis-(alkoxyaryl)-sulphides thus obtained. The aryl residues may be phenyl, naphthyl, &c., and additional substituents may be halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, cyanogen, nitro, amino, or alkoxy groups or additional hydroxy groups. Arsenic acids of the bis-(hydroxyaryl)-sulphides may also be prepared. Specific substances referred to are bis-(4 hydroxyphenyl)-sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 bromo-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 chloro-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 : 5 dibromo phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 : 5 : 6 tribromo-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 nitro-5 halogen-phenyl) sulphide or a corresponding amino compound, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 benzyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-6 methyl-3 isopropylphenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-naphthyl) sulphide,2.41 dihydroxy-diphenyl-sulphide, 4.hydroxyphenyl-2 hydroxy naphthyl-4 sulphide, bis-(2 methyl-4 hydroxy-5 isopropyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 : 5 dibromo phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-phenyl-2 arsenic acid) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 bromo-5 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-phenyl) disulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-naphthyl)-disulphide, bis-(2 hydroxyphenyl) trisulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 chloro-phenyl) trisulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 bromo-phenyl) trisulphide, and sodium and potassium salts of some of these. The compounds are stated to have disinfectant, insecticidal, fungicidal and preservative properties. Specification 274,425, [Class 2 (iii), Dyes &c.], is referred to.ALSO:Preparations serving as preservatives, fungicides, disinfectants and insecticides, comprise a small proportion of a bis-(hydroxyaryl)-sulphide or polysulphide or a substitution product or a salt thereof, diluted with a solid, semi-solid or liquid diluent or carrier. The preparations may be used for treating plants, seeds, fabrics, wood, skins and catgut, for combating pests on domestic animals, and in the manufacture of cosmetic ointments or powders, and of antiseptic wax and like polishes. Specified diluents are talcum, soap, glycerol, wool p fat, vaseline, water, lye of alkali or organic bases, alcohol, benzene, ligroin, liquid paraffin, yellow wax and isobutylnaphthalene sulphonic acid. Numerous examples giving proportions are given in the Specification. Specification 274,425, [Class 140, Waterproof &c. fabrics], is referred to. The active compounds may be prepared by condensing, in known manner, alkoxy-thiophenols, or their substitution products, with alkoxy-halogen benzenes in the presence of alkaline agents, and saponifying, in known manner, the bis-(alkoxyaryl)-sulphides thus obtained. The aryl residues may be phenyl, naphthyl &c., and additional substituents may be halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, cyanogen, nitro, amino, or alkoxy groups or additional hydroxy groups. Arsenic acids of the bis-(hydroxyaryl) sulphides may be used. Specific substances referred to are bis-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)-sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 bromo-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 chloro-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3:5 dibromo-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3:5:6 tribromo-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 nitro-5 halogen-phenyl) sulphide or a corresponding amino compound, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 benzyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-6 methyl-3 isopropyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-naphthyl 1) sulphide, 2,41 dihydroxy-diphenyl-sulphide, 4.hydroxyphenyl-2 hydroxy naphthyl-4 sulphide, bis-(2 methyl-4 hydroxy-5 isopropyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-3 : 5 dibromo phenyl) sulphide, bis-(4 hydroxy-phenyl-2 arsenic acid) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-3 bromo-5 methyl-phenyl) sulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-phenyl) disulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-naphthyl)-disulphide, bis-(2-hydroxy-phenyl) trisulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 chloro-phenyl) trisulphide, bis-(2 hydroxy-5 bromo-phenyl) trisulphide, and sodium and potassium salts of some of these.