HOME HINTS:

clever tricks and handy tips

READER’S PRIZE HINT

Keep some concentrated liquid fertiliser under your kitchen sink. Before putting each empty 2-litre milk or juice container in the recycling bin, make up a solution of fertiliser and water and give your plants and vegies a regular feed. K. Jones, Perth, WA.

Pest power

To control powdery mildew on tomato plants and other summer vegies, mix one tablespoon each of bicarb soda, vegetable oil and dishwashing liquid in four litres of water and spray weekly.

Tight squeeze

Remove excess water from thawed or steamed spinach by rolling it in a sushi mat on a tea towel or paper towels.

A little loopy

Store feather or lambswool dusters in an empty cardboard tube of a paper towel. Add a hanging loop for convenience.

On a roll

For a quick way to remove dirt, dust and cobwebs from door and window screens, use a lint roller.

Good apple

Storing an apple (just one) with your potatoes – in a dark place – will help to stop them sprouting.

Brilliant buffet

To make an eye-catching “grazing board” sand a 30cmwide plywood plank, finish it with foodquality kitchen bench oil and support it on timber battens.

Fishy business

The easiest way to clean fish tank pebbles (or glass marbles from a vase) is to zip them into a laundry bag before washing and rinsing thoroughly.

A piece of cake, really

The simplest, non-stick way to cut brownies into squares is to use a plastic knife.

Cool cubes

For a summer punch bowl that will “keep its cool”, make super-sized ice cubes from juice or water in a metal or silicone muffin pan – adding mint sprigs or citrus slices if you like. Prepare ahead of time, turn them out and store in sealed containers in the freezer.