HOME HINTS:

Cold as ice Strap it up Free flowing

clever tricks and handy tips

READER’S PRIZE HINT

To prevent camellia flowers from falling off when arranging them in a vase, use a dressmaking pin to pierce the flower from the back where the stalk joins, pushing it through into the head of the bloom. To make a reusable, flexible icepack, combine 2 cups water with 1 cup methylated spirits in a ziplock bag, push out excess air and freeze. Be sure to double-bag before use, to prevent leaks.

Use a strip of double-sided tape to secure bra straps beneath a singlet top or sleeveless dress.

As a quick fix for static cling, apply moisturiser or hand lotion to hands and rub fabric lightly between the two areas where garment is clinging.

Smart swap

If you find yourself without buttermilk for a recipe, put 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar into a measuring cup, fill with whole milk to make 1 cup, leave for 5-10 minutes; stir and use.

Portion control

When you don’t need a whole bunch of spring (green) onions, chop the leftovers finely and freeze in a small, clean soft drink bottle – then just shake out what you need next time.

Tight squeeze

Use the clean plastic lid of a squeeze bottle as a mini nozzle on your vacuum cleaner to clean keyboards, car seats, sliding window tracks, narrow drawers and upholstered cushions.

All rise

Prevent berries or choc chips from sinking to the bottom of a cake by sprinkling them over the batter in the tin just before baking, pressing them lightly with a spatula.

Garden a-peel

Don’t throw away banana skins. Instead, chop, cover with water, steep for three days, then drain and use the ‘tea’ as a nutrient-rich plant fertiliser. Put used skins in your compost or worm farm.