Brainwaves

Cover the tops of high kitchen cupboards with newspaper to catch any dust and grease. Change the paper once a month to make cleaning a breeze.

Margaret Ryder, Oamaru, NZ

Stop biscuits from going stale by storing them in an airtight container with some sugar cubes to absorb any moisture.

Janice Peters, Atherton, Qld

Keep a magnet in your sewing kit. When you have an accidental spill of pins and needles, they will be easy to pick up. Penny Walton, Metford, NSW

To help get rid of ants, sprinkle ground cinnamon in doorways. It discourages them from coming in.

Melissa Winter, Rokeby, Tas

When mixing food, such as rissoles, with your hands, spray them with a little oil first, to stop the food

from sticking. Annie Green, Shortland,

NSW

If your dog won’t let you brush

his teeth, try squirting a little bit of canine toothpaste on his favourite chew toy and let him

play. It works a treat!

Sandra Flynn, Kew, Vic

Out of tissues? Slip a roll of toilet paper into the slot of your empty box and tear off as required until

your next shop. Sam Burrows, Titahi Bay, NZ

To remove the musty smell from old books, sprinkle with cornflour, then shake off.

Jennifer Watts, Wellington, NZ