Home hints

Georgina Bitcon shares tips on scratch-free sunglasses storage, revitalising leather, making chopping onions a breeze and more.

ASK THE AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY

QI cannot get the smell of mothballs out of some stored clothing, no matter what I try. Any ideas? B. Nickolls Hang the clothing in full, bright sunlight, preferably over several days. If there is residual odour, soak overnight in a solution of one part vinegar to eight parts water, then launder as usual and line-dry again. In the future, choose something else to repel moths – naphthalene is both toxic and carcinogenic.

Sunnies protection

If you have several pairs of sunglasses, hook them onto the crossbar of a wooden coathanger and store them scratch-free with your clothes.

Under lock and key

Pack a lightweight bike lock or security cable when travelling overseas – it’s invaluable for securing your luggage to fixed objects or for securing two cases together, especially when travelling on trains.

On the right track

To revive your panama hat, clip any ragged ends from the brim, wipe with a cloth wrung out in a solution of 2 cups boiling water and 1 tablespoon laundry detergent, and press brim using a steam iron and pressing cloth.

If you have to lean over shower screen tracks when bathing the kids, cut and slit a length of pool noodle to fit over the tracks – it’s much more comfortable to lean on.

Like-new leather

To remove mould from leather furniture, shoes or clothing – and nourish the leather at the same time – combine ¼ teaspoon oil of cloves with 250ml baby oil, shake well, then wipe onto leather with a cloth, following the grain.

Barbie haircare

To de-frizz matted and tangled Barbie hair, mix fabric softener with a little water, saturate and work through a section at a time with a plastic wig brush (not a comb), then gently rinse out. To replace curls, set hair around short sections of drinking straws and secure with pins until dry.

A “grate” idea

When you need to grate soft cheese, such as mozzarella, the job will be much easier if you put the cheese and the grater in the freezer for about 30 minutes beforehand.

No more tears

Make chopping onions tear-free by microwaving them, unpeeled, for about 20 seconds on HIGH.

Get rid of aphids

Spring in the garden often means aphids – get rid of them safely by spraying them with a solution of 1 litre of water, 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Repeat weekly.

Curl be gone

If your metal and nylon circular needles are twisting and curling, dip the cable into boiling water for a few seconds.