Home hints:
handy tips and clever tricks
ASK THE WEEKLY
QMy children’s white sports socks never look really white after washing. Bleach just makes them yellow. Do you have a tip?
J. Beetson, Berry, NSW.
Put ¼ cup Lux soap flakes in a large pot with half a lemon and the dirty socks, add enough water to cover, bring to the boil, simmer for 5 minutes, then drain. Now toss the socks in the washing machine and wash as usual.
Opening gambit
If you struggle to open ziplock bags, cut a “V” in one side only of the top strip (don’t cut into the sealer) and you’ll find it much easier to pull the two halves apart.
Photo ID
If you have taken a holiday photo of a statue, painting or landmark that you can no longer identify, open Google images, upload your photo and Google will search the net for the same image – chances are someone else will have snapped it and identified it for you.
Baby bath helper
A plastic laundry basket makes a good “bath within a bath” for a baby or young toddler: it’s less slippery and all the toys stay near at hand. Do not leave the child unattended at any time.
Cooler freshener
Wipe out your Esky with a few drops of vanilla before storing it, or dry it carefully and throw
To prevent excess drips from clogging up the rim when you open a new can of paint, use a hammer and large nail (or an electric drill) to make a few ‘drain’ holes around the inner rim before you start. They will seal when the lid is replaced.
in a couple of unused teabags – no nasty odours when you open it for the next use.
Personalised labels
Give your homemade jams, pickles and marmalades a professional look by printing your own sticky labels from free templates that you can find and personalise on the internet.
Iron with ease
Make ironing easier – combine a teaspoon of lavender oil and 1 litre of water in a spray bottle, spritz over dry, wrinkled clothes and leave on the coat hangers for 30 minutes before pressing.
Scratch protection
Keep your non-stick pans scratch-free for longer by popping a paper plate into each one before storing another saucepan on top – and always use plastic or silicon utensils.
Non-stick grating
Place your grater in the freezer for 15 minutes before using it and food will be less likely to stick. You can also give it a quick spray with oil – especially good for cheese.
SHARE YOUR DOMESTIC SECRETS
Send your handy hints or questions to: Home Hints, The Australian Women’s Weekly, GPO Box 4178, Sydney, NSW 2001, or email openline@ bauer-media.com.au. We pay $75 for the reader’s prize hint each month. While every effort is made to ensure the efficacy of each hint, we cannot take responsibility for individual results.