Home hints

READER’S PRIZE HINT

To keep asparagus fresh, cut the top off a 1.25-litre soft drink bottle, just below the funnel part, put a little water in the bottom section, stand trimmed asparagus spears in it, replace the “lid” and store in the fridge door. T. Bahnisch, Adelaide, SA.

Roll up!

Instead of storing your roll of garbage bags in a crowded drawer, attach a paper towel holder to the wall of an undersink cabinet or inside a cupboard door.

Pet pamper

Don’t send your old sheets and towels to landfill – ask your local vet or rescue centre if they would like them for lining pet cages. Q: Do you know a simple way to get armpit odour out of my sons’ sports clothes?

S. Powell, Newcastle, NSW.

A: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups each of water and white vinegar, add several drops of tea tree oil and ¼ cup bicarb soda (it will fizz). Transfer to a spray bottle; spray liberally onto underarm area of top, leave 15 minutes then wash as usual.

Rest easy

Half-inflate a hot water bottle with air, to use as a waterproof pillow for a long bath.

Sticky saver

To store a tube of superglue, replace the cap after use, seal into a ziplock bag, extracting as much air as possible, and store upright in the fridge.

From fish to fresh

To remove strong smells – fish, garlic, petrol – from your hands, squeeze a little non-gel toothpaste into your palms, rub hands together then rinse off with clean water.

Speedy seeds

Parsley seed can be very slow to germinate – speed things up by planting the seed as normal, then pouring a kettle of boiling water over it.