FABRIC SOFTENER
An effective fabric softener is vinegar. Add 2 tablespoonfuls to each wash.
An effective fabric softener is vinegar. Add 2 tablespoonfuls to each wash.
FACE MASK
Mix honey and oatmeal into a paste and spread evenly on your face, avoiding eyes. Leave on for about 12 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and apply moisturiser.
Mix honey and oatmeal into a paste and spread evenly on your face, avoiding eyes. Leave on for about 12 minutes, then rinse off with warm water and apply moisturiser.
FIRELIGHTERS
Wash and flatten empty milk cartons to use as firelighters.
Wash and flatten empty milk cartons to use as firelighters.
FISH
Freezing: Empty wax fruit juice or milk cartons are handy for freezing fish in. Rinse thoroughly,
add the fish, fill the container with water and staple the carton shut.
Thawing: Thaw frozen fish in milk. The milk draws out the frozen taste and imparts a fresh-
caught flavour.
Descaling: Rub the fish with vinegar and the scales will come off easily.
Soak fish in salt water before descaling. The scales will then come off easily.
Skinning: Dip thumb and forefinger in salt. This will give a firm grip when holding the fish.
Odour: To remove fish smells from your gads, rub them with vinegar and water, or salt and water.
Freezing: Empty wax fruit juice or milk cartons are handy for freezing fish in. Rinse thoroughly,
add the fish, fill the container with water and staple the carton shut.
Thawing: Thaw frozen fish in milk. The milk draws out the frozen taste and imparts a fresh-
caught flavour.
Descaling: Rub the fish with vinegar and the scales will come off easily.
Soak fish in salt water before descaling. The scales will then come off easily.
Skinning: Dip thumb and forefinger in salt. This will give a firm grip when holding the fish.
Odour: To remove fish smells from your gads, rub them with vinegar and water, or salt and water.
FIZZY DRINKS
1. Add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to bring back the lost bubbles in a fizzy drink.
2. Use flat fizzy drinks to water the plants.
1. Add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to bring back the lost bubbles in a fizzy drink.
2. Use flat fizzy drinks to water the plants.
FLIES
1. Grow tubs of basil, kit and bayleaves on your windowsill. Flies will stay away as they don't like
the smell.
2. Leave a few camphor tablets on or near your kitchen bin.
3. Place vinegar in the water used to wash windows and the flies will not settle on the window
glass.
1. Grow tubs of basil, kit and bayleaves on your windowsill. Flies will stay away as they don't like
the smell.
2. Leave a few camphor tablets on or near your kitchen bin.
3. Place vinegar in the water used to wash windows and the flies will not settle on the window
glass.
FLOORS
1. To clean varnished floors or woodwork of any kind, rub with cold tea.
2. For a fast shine between waxings, put waxed paper under your mop and slide it around the
floor.
3. A rubber is effective in removing scuff marks left by shoe heels on vinyl flooring.
4. Lift crayon marks by rubbing with a damp rag containing toothpaste.
1. To clean varnished floors or woodwork of any kind, rub with cold tea.
2. For a fast shine between waxings, put waxed paper under your mop and slide it around the
floor.
3. A rubber is effective in removing scuff marks left by shoe heels on vinyl flooring.
4. Lift crayon marks by rubbing with a damp rag containing toothpaste.
FLOWERS
1. To make cut roses last longer, place a small cupful of bleach to the water in the vase.
2. Flowers with wooden stems should have their tips crushed before placing in the water
3. Add a pinch of salt to the water for your cut flowers. They will stay upright for a little longer.
4. Change the flower water daily and cut the stems afresh.
5. The next time you boil an egg, use the cooled water - which is filled with minerals - to give
your plants a good drink.
6. Put a pinch of baking powder in the water to keep the flowers fresh for longer and to stop the
water from going stagnant.
7. Put an Aspirin (no other painkiller works) into the water of cut flowers to kill bacteria and help
the flowers last longer.
8. To add length to short stemmed flowers, slip stems into drinking straws before placing them in
the vase.
9. Use water at room temperature.
10. Let the water stand for a day to get rid of the chlorine before watering your plants.
11. Use old fizz-less soda water - it has just the right chemicals to add vigour to your plants.
12. To keep your cut Tulips from drooping, add a couple of spoonfuls of sugar to the water in the
vase.
13. Use a pin to prick just below the flower head in the stem. The tulips will stay upright and
proud for days.
14. Do not add Daffodils to any other cut flowers. The Daffodils produce a toxin that kills other
flowers.
To keep flowers in place:
1. Place marbles in the vase.
2. Strips of transparent sticky tape 'latticed' across the top of the vase.
3. Anchor in place with plastic hair rollers.
Silk flowers:
Wash silk flowers in fabric conditioner and dry them with a hairdryer. The flowers will be revived and smell sweet.
Going on holiday:
To keep a plant healthy for up to a month, water it generously, making sure it is in a well-drained pot, then enclose it completely in a clear plastic bag. Tie the bag loosely to allow for ventilation. Place the plant in northern light. When you return home, untie the top of the bag and let the plant adjust to room air for a day before completely removing the covering.
1. To make cut roses last longer, place a small cupful of bleach to the water in the vase.
2. Flowers with wooden stems should have their tips crushed before placing in the water
3. Add a pinch of salt to the water for your cut flowers. They will stay upright for a little longer.
4. Change the flower water daily and cut the stems afresh.
5. The next time you boil an egg, use the cooled water - which is filled with minerals - to give
your plants a good drink.
6. Put a pinch of baking powder in the water to keep the flowers fresh for longer and to stop the
water from going stagnant.
7. Put an Aspirin (no other painkiller works) into the water of cut flowers to kill bacteria and help
the flowers last longer.
8. To add length to short stemmed flowers, slip stems into drinking straws before placing them in
the vase.
9. Use water at room temperature.
10. Let the water stand for a day to get rid of the chlorine before watering your plants.
11. Use old fizz-less soda water - it has just the right chemicals to add vigour to your plants.
12. To keep your cut Tulips from drooping, add a couple of spoonfuls of sugar to the water in the
vase.
13. Use a pin to prick just below the flower head in the stem. The tulips will stay upright and
proud for days.
14. Do not add Daffodils to any other cut flowers. The Daffodils produce a toxin that kills other
flowers.
To keep flowers in place:
1. Place marbles in the vase.
2. Strips of transparent sticky tape 'latticed' across the top of the vase.
3. Anchor in place with plastic hair rollers.
Silk flowers:
Wash silk flowers in fabric conditioner and dry them with a hairdryer. The flowers will be revived and smell sweet.
Going on holiday:
To keep a plant healthy for up to a month, water it generously, making sure it is in a well-drained pot, then enclose it completely in a clear plastic bag. Tie the bag loosely to allow for ventilation. Place the plant in northern light. When you return home, untie the top of the bag and let the plant adjust to room air for a day before completely removing the covering.
FOOT MASSAGE
Roll your foot over a tennis ball.
Roll your foot over a tennis ball.
FRAMES
Restore gilt frames by mixing a beaten egg with one teaspoon of baking powder. Apply to the frame and buff up with a soft cloth.
Restore gilt frames by mixing a beaten egg with one teaspoon of baking powder. Apply to the frame and buff up with a soft cloth.
FRIDGES and FREEZERS
1. Keep refrigerators at about 4 degrees Celsius
2. Keep freezers at about minus 8 degrees Celsius
1. Keep refrigerators at about 4 degrees Celsius
2. Keep freezers at about minus 8 degrees Celsius
FRUIT and VEGETABLES
Store your fruit by lining your fridge drawers with bubble wrap. This will stop your fresh produce from bruising. Store your vegetables in crumpled newspaper to keep them nice and crisp.
Store your fruit by lining your fridge drawers with bubble wrap. This will stop your fresh produce from bruising. Store your vegetables in crumpled newspaper to keep them nice and crisp.
FURNITURE - see also SCRATCHES TO WOOD
1. Left-over tea is a good cleaning agent for varnished furniture.
2. After polishing furniture, sprinkle on a little cornflour and rub to a high gloss. Go over the
surface with a clean cloth to wipe off the excess. Cornflour absorbs oil and leaves a glistening,
fingerprint-free surface.
3. If the cat is prone to scratching woodwork, rub the area with hot red pepper sauce, then buff.
Most cats, repelled by the smell, will stay away.
4. For white heat marks and water rings on wooden furniture, mix a paste of equal parts baking
powder and (non-gel) toothpaste. Dip a corner of a clean, soft white cloth into some water and
then dip into the paste. Gently buff the marks (in a circular motion) for a few minutes. Wipe
lean and buff again to a shine.
1. Left-over tea is a good cleaning agent for varnished furniture.
2. After polishing furniture, sprinkle on a little cornflour and rub to a high gloss. Go over the
surface with a clean cloth to wipe off the excess. Cornflour absorbs oil and leaves a glistening,
fingerprint-free surface.
3. If the cat is prone to scratching woodwork, rub the area with hot red pepper sauce, then buff.
Most cats, repelled by the smell, will stay away.
4. For white heat marks and water rings on wooden furniture, mix a paste of equal parts baking
powder and (non-gel) toothpaste. Dip a corner of a clean, soft white cloth into some water and
then dip into the paste. Gently buff the marks (in a circular motion) for a few minutes. Wipe
lean and buff again to a shine.