HOUSEHOLD TIPS Content

To clean a wooden chopping board, sprinkle on a handful of salt and rub with a lemon. Rinse with clean water and dry to ensure it is clean and germ-free.

Keep brown sugar soft by storing with a couple of marshmallows.

Use a paper plate to prevent splatters when using an electric whisk.

Make a simple laundry bag using an old pillowcase and an embroidery hoop.

Easily draw out a splinter for easy removal by applying a paste of baking soda and water.

Cover paint trays with aluminium foil to make cleaning up afterwards a breeze.

Re-purpose an old CD spindle to make a pretty small cake or biscuit holder.

Deodorize sponges in the microwave. Soak in water spiked with white vinegar or lemon juice and put on fill power for one minute.

To tell if eggs are fresh, immerse them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will lie on the bottom, while stale eggs will float to the surface.

Use a fork to press garlic when there is not a garlic crusher available.

WD40 can be used to remove crayon marks from any surface.

Install a regular coat rack low down the wall to store shoes safely off the floor.

Use ice-cubes to lift out indentations made by furniture on your carpets.

Use hairspray on the end of your sewing thread to help it slide through the eye of your needle.

To prevent potatoes budding, add an apple in the bag

Use non-stick cooking spray in votive holders to prevent wax from sticking to the sides.

Use a tension rod and shower hooks to store saucepans inside a cupboard.

Repurpose an old picture frame as a serving tray. Use a Post-It note when drilling to catch the dust

Clean cat litter trays quickly by lining with a garbage bag. Remove pet hair from furniture and carpets with a squeegee.

The simplest way to slice a bunch of cherry tomatoes is to sandwich them between two plastic lids and run a long knife through all of them at once!