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Speed up the ironing

When you iron clothing, much of the iron's heat is sucked up by the board itself. To speed up the process, place a piece of aluminium foil under the ironing board cover. The foil will reflect the heat back through the clothing, allowing you to smooth away creases more quickly.

Clean your iron

Do you have a build-up of spray starch on the iron that is causing it to stick? To remove it, run the hot iron over a piece of aluminium foil.
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Roast a juicy chicken

If your roast chicken tends to emerge from the oven tough and dried out, try this trick. The next time you roast a chicken, stuff an apple inside the bird before placing it in the roasting dish. When it has finished cooking, remove the apple and enjoy a delicious and juicy main course.

Keep cakes fresh

Extend the shelf life of a cake by storing it alongside half an apple. It will help the cake to maintain its moisture considerably longer than popping it in the fridge or in a cake tin.

Absorb salt in soups and stews

It is too easy to overdose on salt. If you’ve been heavy-handed with the salt shaker when cooking, simply drop a few apple (or potato) wedges into the pan. After cooking for another 10 minutes or so, remove the wedges which will have absorbed the excess salt.

Make decorative candleholders

Add a country feel to a table setting by creating a natural candleholder. Use an apple corer to carve a hole three-quarters of the way down into a pair of large apples, insert a tall decorative candle into each hole and surround the apples with a few leaves, branches or flowers.
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Clean glass stove doors

Mix some ashes with a bit of water, and apply them with a damp cloth, sponge or paper towel or simply dip a wet sponge into the ashes. Rub the mixture over the surfaces of the  doors. Rinse with a wet paper towel or sponge, then dry with a clean cloth.

Use as plant food

Wood ashes have a high alkaline content and trace amounts of calcium and potassium, which encourage blooms. Sprinkle the ashes around plants such as clematis, hydrangeas, lilac and roses in spring (avoid rhododendrons and azaleas).

Repel insects

Scatter a border of ashes around the garden to deter worms, slugs and snails. Sprinkling small amounts of ashes over garden plants will also deter soft-bodied insects.
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Slip off a stuck ring

Do you find that rings frequently get jammed on your fingers? Try this. First lubricate the ring area with a generous amount of baby oil. Then swivel the ring around to spread the oil underneath it. You should be able to slide the ring off with ease.
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Soothe sunburn

You can temporarily cool sunburn by gently patting the area with a baby wipe. Baby wipe can also be used to treat cuts and scrapes. Although most wipes don’t have any antiseptic properties, there’s nothing wrong with using one for an initial cleansing before applying the proper medical treatment.

Remove makeup

It is one of the fashion industry’s worst-kept secrets: many models consider a baby wipe to be their best friend when it is time to remove stubborn make-up from their faces, particularly black eyeliner. Try it and see for yourself.
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Keep track of your child

The inexpensive floating helium-filled balloons sold in many shopping centres can be more than just a treat for a youngster; they could be invaluable in locating a child who wanders off into a crowd. Even if you keep close tabs on your kids, buy a little peace of mind by loosely tying a balloon to your child’s wrist on a weekend shopping trip.
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Soak out fish smells

Get rid of a strong fishy smell by soaking the raw fish for about an hour in the fridge in 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda in a litre of water. Rinse the fish well and pat dry before cooking.

Use as yeast substitute

If you have run out of yeast when making dough, you can use powdered vitamin C (or citric acid) and bicarbonate of soda instead. Just mix in equal parts to in the same quantity as the yeast required. Ad a bonus, the dough does not need to rise before baking.

Deodorise the dishwasher

Eliminate odours inside the dishwasher by sprinkling 100g bicarbonate of soda on the bottom of the machine between wash loads. To freshen it fully, pour in 200g bicarbonate of soda and run the empty machine through a complete rinse cycle.

To remove residue on the inside of a Thermos

Mix 50g bicarbonate of soda in 1 litre water. Fill the Thermos with the solution – if necessary, scrub with a bottle brush to loosen things up – and let it soak overnight. Rinse clean before using.

Clean the fridge

To get rid of smells and dried-up spills inside the fridge, remove the contents, then sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda on a damp sponge and scrub the sides, shelves and compartments. Rinse with a clean, wet sponge. To keep the fridge smelling fresh, place an opened bow of powder inside when you have finished cleaning.

Freshen a sponge or towel

When a kitchen sponge or dishcloth starts to smell sour, soak it overnight in 2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda and a couple of drops of antibacterial washing-up liquid dissolved in 450ml warm water. The following morning, squeeze out the remaining solution and rinse with cold water. It should smell completely fresh.

Remove stains and scratches on worktops

If a kitchen worktop has become covered with stains or small knife cuts, use a paste of 3 parts bicarbonate of soda to 1 part water to “rub out” most of them. For stubborn stains, add a drop of chlorine bleach to the paste. Immediately wash the area with hot, soapy water to prevent the bleach from causing fading.

Deodorise your rubbish bin

If something smells “off” in the kitchen, it is most likely to be coming from the bin. But some smells linger even after you dispose of the offending rubbish bag. Give a kitchen bin an occasional cleaning with a wet paper towel dipped in bicarbonate of soda (wear rubber gloves to do this). Rinse it out with a damp sponge and let it dry before inserting a new bag. You can also ward off bad smells by sprinkling a little bicarbonate of soda into the bottom of the bin before inserting the bag.

Deodorise rugs and carpets

Freshen up carpets or rugs by lightly sprinkling them with bicarbonate of soda, let it settle in for 15 minutes or so, then vacuum up.

Make the toilet bowl sparkle

You don’t need a host of chemicals to clean the toilet. Pour 250g bicarbonate of soda into the cistern once a month. Let it stand overnight, then give it a few flushes in the morning. This will actually clean both the cistern and the bowl. You can also pour several tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda directly onto stains into the toilet bowl and scrub well. Wait a few minutes then flush away.

Remove mineral deposits from showerhead

Cover the head with a heavy-duty sandwich-size bag filled with 50g bicarbonate of soda and 200ml vinegar. Loosely fasten the bag with adhesive take or a large twist tie (it needs to be loose so some of the resultant gas can escape). Leave for about an hour. Then remove the bag and turn on your shower to wash off any remaining debris. Not only will the deposits disappear, but the showerhead will be bright and shiny again.

Use as a gargle or mouthwash

Are you suffering from an overdose of onions or too much garlic? Try gargling with 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda in half a glass of water. The bicarbonate of soda will neutralise the odours on contact. When used as a mouthwash, bicarbonate of soda will also relieve pain from mouth ulcers.

Clean and freshen toothbrushes

Keep your family’s toothbrushes squeaky clean by immersing them in a solution of 50g bicarbonate of soda and 50m water. Let the brushes soak overnight about once every week or two. Be sure to give them a very thorough rinse before using again.

Soothe tired, smelly feet

When your feet are sore and not at their most fragrant, treat them to a soothing bath of 4 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda in 1 litre warm water. Besides relaxing your aching feet, the bicarbonate of soda will remove the sweat and link that gathers between your toes. Regular bicarb footbaths can also be an effective treatment for persistent foot odour.

Deodorise shoes and trainers

Even the smelliest shoe or trainer is no match for the power of bicarbonate of soda. Liberally sprinkle powder in the offending loafer or lace-up and let it sit overnight. Discard the powder in the morning. (Be careful when using bicarbonate of soda with leather shoes, as repeated applications can dry them out.)

Boost the strength of liquid detergent and bleach

Adding 100g bicarbonate of soda to your usual amount of liquid laundry detergent really will give you ‘whiter whites’ and brighter colours. The bicarbonate of soda also softens the water, so you can actually use less detergent. Adding 50g bicarbonate of soda to a white cotton wash also increases the potency of bleach, so you need only half the usual amount.

Clean plastic garden furniture

Most commercial cleaners are too abrasive to be used on plastic garden furniture. But you won’t have to worry about scratching or dulling the surface if you clean the furniture with a wet sponge dipped in bicarbonate of soda. Wipe using a circular motion, then rinse well.

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Disinfect rubbish bins

Take the bin outside and flush out any loose debris with water. Then add 100ml to 200ml bleach and several drops of washing-up liquid to 4 litres warm water. Brush the solution on the bottom using a long-handled scrubbing brush. Empty, rinse and let it air-dry.
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Swallow pills with ease

If you have difficulty getting pills to go down, try rolling them in a small amount of butter or margarine first. The pills should slide down your throat far more easily.
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Use as kindling and logs

Turn toilet paper tubes and paper towel tubes into kindling and logs for the fireplace. To make logs, tape over and pack shredded newspaper inside. Then tape the other end. The tighter you pack the newspaper, the longer your log will burn.
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Enhance the effectiveness of a vapour rub

For pain in a knee and other sore spots, massage in some vapour rub and wrap the area with cling film. The cling film will increase the heating effect of the vapour rub. Make sure to test on a small area first to make sure your skin does not burn.
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Keep your Thermos fresh

If you have just uncapped the Thermos bottle you haven’t used for six months and it smells musty, place a whole clove inside the flask before putting the cap on to stop it from happening next time. A teaspoon of salt works too. Be sure to empty and rinse the Thermos before using it.
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Bake a round loaf

Use small coffee cans to bake perfectly cylindrical loaves of bread. Use your favourite recipe but put the dough into a well-greased coffee can instead of a loaf tin. For yeast breads use two cans and fill each only half full. Grease the inside of the lids and place them on the cans. For yeast breads, you will know when it is time to bake when the rising dough pushes the lids off. Place the cans, without their lids, upright in the oven to bake.

Make a dehumidifier

If your home suffers from damp, try this easy-to-make dehumidifier. Fill an empty coffee can with salt and leave it in a corner where it will be undisturbed. Replace the salt at monthly intervals or as needed.
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Make bookmarks

Recycle envelopes by making them into useful bookmarks of different sizes. Cut off the gummed flap and one end of the envelope. Then slip the remainder over the corner of the page where you have stopped reading to make a quick placeholder that won’t damage your book.
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Make modelling clay

Keep children busy with some homemade modelling clay. Knead together 600g flour, 50g salt, 200 ml water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 or 2 drops food colouring. If the mixture is sticky, add more flour; if it’s too stiff, add more water. When the “clay” is of a workable consistency, it can be stored until needed in a self-sealing plastic bag.
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Remove gum from clothing

Get rid of stuck-on chewing gum on a child’s trousers with an ice cube. Rub the ice on the gum to harden it. You can then scrape it off with a spoon.
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Keep rice from sticking

To keep rice from sticking together in a starchy mass, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the boiling water when cooking. When the rice is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

Freshen the fridge

Remove refrigerator odours by dabbing some lemon juice onto a cotton wool ball or sponge and leaving it in the fridge for several hours. Make sure to throw out any disintegrating items that might be causing the bad smell.

Remove unsightly perspiration stains

You can remove unsightly stains from under the arms of light-coloured shirts and blouses simply by scrubbing them with a mixture of equal parts lemon juice (or white vinegar) and water.

Cleanse your face

Clean and exfoliate your face by washing it with lemon juice. You can also dab lemon juice on blackheads to draw them our during the day. Your skin should improve after several days or treatments.

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Make frozen fish taste fresh

Place the frozen fish in a bath of milk until it thaws. The milk will make it taste fresher.

Boost the flavour of corn on the cob

This is a simple way to make corn on the cob taste sweeter and fresher. Add 50g powdered milk to a pan of boiling water before you put in the corn.
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Keep ribbons from fraying

Brush the cut ends of gift ribbon with a little clear nail varnish to stop them from unravelling.

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Deodorise containers and luggage
To freshen a plastic container or wooden box with a persistent, unpleasant odour, stuff it with a few sheets of crumpled newspaper and seal it closed for three or four days. You can also use this technique to deodorise trunks and suitcases.

Clean and polish windows
Instead of using absorbent paper towels to dry off just-washed windows, try using crumpled-up newspaper instead. Many people reckon that it dries and polishes windows better than paper towels. And it’s cheaper too.

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Use as smelling salts

If you are with someone at a party or in a restaurant who feels faint – and you don’t normally carry smelling salts – use a freshly cut onion instead. The strong odour is likely to bring him round.
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Clean a can opener

Clean a can opener by “opening” a paper towel. Close the wheel on the edge of a paper towel, close the handles and turn the crank. The paper towel will clean off the gunk as the wheel cuts through it.

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Store a wet umbrella
When you are out in the rain and running to your next appointment, who wants to deal with a soggy umbrella dripping all over your clothes and car? One of the plastic bags that magazines are delivered in is the perfect size to cover your umbrella the next time it rains. Just fold the umbrella up and quickly slip it into the bag.

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End puffy morning eyes
Everyone hates waking up in the morning and looking at a tired face and puffy eyes in the mirror. Applying slices of raw, cold potatoes to your eyes will quickly get rid of the puffiness.

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Restore a sponge
Hand sponges and mop sponges usually become horribly filthy long before they are really worn out. To restore sponges to a pristine condition, soak them overnight in a solution of about 50g salt per litre of water.

Clean the fridge
After removing the food and the wire shelves from the fridge, mix up a handful of salt in 4 litres of warm water and use it with a sponge to clean the inside of the fridge. The mixture isn’t abrasive, so it won’t scratch surfaces. And you won’t be introducing chemical fumes to a place where you keep food.

Shell hard-boiled eggs with ease
Just add a teaspoon of salt to the water before placing the eggs in it to boil

Test an egg’s freshness
If you are in doubt about the freshness of your eggs, add 2 teaspoons salt to 200ml water and gently place the egg in the cup. A fresh egg will sink. An old one floats.

Speed up cooking time
When you are in a hurry, add a pinch or two of salt to the water you are boiling food in. this makes the water boil at a higher temperature so the food you are cooking will require less time to finish.

Freshen your breath
Mix 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda into 100ml water. Rinse and gargle.

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Keep stored clothes fresh

Pack a bar of your favourite scented soap when you store clothes or luggage. It will keep clothes smelling fresh until next season and prevent musty odours developing in your luggage.
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Prevent salt and pepper spills
Many salt and pepper shakers, have to be filled through a hole in the bottom. Before you refill one of these shakers, tape over the holes on top. The shaker won’t spill when you turn it upside down to fill it. Also, remember to take the tops when moving to a new home or even when you are transporting the shakers to and from a picnic.

Keep your hands free at the supermarket
Next time you go shopping for food, take some tape with you and use it to attach your shopping list to the handle of the shopping trolley. This will free both your hands and you won’t keep mislaying or dropping the list.

Make candles fit snugly
Don’t let wobbly candles spoil a romantic mood or cause a fire at a candlelit dinner. If the candles don’t fit snugly into the holder, wrap a few layers of tape around the bottom edges until they slot in firmly.

Keep picture-hook nails from damaging walls
Before driving a nail into the wall, put a piece of masking tape on the wall at the site. This will prevent the paint from peeling off if you have to remove the nail.

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Use as all-purpose cleaners
Don’t throw out old toothbrushes. Instead, use them to clean a host of diverse items and small or hard-to-reach areas and crevices. Use a toothbrush to clean artificial flowers and plants, costume jewellery, combs, shower tracks, crevices between tiles and around taps. Also clean computer keyboards, can-opener blades and around hob burners. And don’t forget the seams on shoes where the leather meets the sole.

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CD repair

Before throwing away or recycling a scratched CD, try to repair it. First, clean it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth or mild soap and a little water. Hold the CD by the edge to keep from getting fingerprints on it. Polish it from the middle to the edge, but not in a circular motion. If your CD still skips, try fixing it with a little non-get toothpaste. Dab some toothpaste on the end of your finger and rub it lightly onto the entire CD. Use a damp paper towel to remove the toothpaste and dry it with a fresh paper towel. The fine abrasive in the toothpaste may smooth out the scratch. You might also want to try car wax on a scratch.

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Stick through a garlic clove when marinating

If you marinate foods with garlic cloves, stick a toothpick through the clove so you can remove it easily when you are ready to serve the food.
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Make better boiled eggs

When you are making hard-boiled eggs, adding 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar for every litre of water will keep the eggs from cracking and make them much easier to shell.

Refresh a refrigerator
Vinegar is probably an even more effective safe cleanser for your fridge than bicarbonate of soda. Use equal parts white vinegar and water to wash both the interior and exterior of your fridge, including the door seal and the fronts of the vegetable and fruit crispers. Also use undiluted vinegar to wipe off accumulated dust and grime on top of the fridge.

Clean a dirty thermos
Fill the thermos with warm water and 50ml white vinegar. If you see any residue, add some uncooked rice, which will act as an abrasive to scrape it off. Close and shake well. Then rinse and air-dry.

Make a trap to lure flying insects
Keep gnats, flies, mosquitoes and other flying insects at bay by giving them their own VIP section in the garden when you are holding a garden party or barbeque. Place a bowl filled with apple cider vinegar near some food, but away from you and guests. By the end of the evening most of the uninvited guests will be  floating inside the bowl.

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Keep your keys safe

Have you ever lost your car keys in the sand at the seaside? Make sure it never happens again. Stitch a small zipped  pocket – use matching terry towelling if you can – to one corner of the wrong side of your beach towel, just big enough for your keys, sunglasses and maybe a few coins.
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