Brainwaves

Check out this amazing advice from our readers...

The core of the matter

Instead of throwing your apple core away, pop it in a bowl of water and leave by the windowsill. It works as a great air freshener, and soon your house will smell of apples! Eva Bell, Frome

Unwanted smells

Add a sprinkle of salt to empty food storage containers. It prevents smells from previous food from lingering. Megan Jensen, Bristol

Top tube tip

Get the most out of a tube of toothpaste by cutting the top and bottom sections off, then putting them back together to make shorter tube. Anything that’s left will now be at the bottom ready to come out. Works great for lotions, too! Chelsea Mullins, Chepstow

Recycled organisation

Store cables in loo paper rolls. It makes them easy to find and stops them from getting all tangled up. Ellie Foster, Preston

A grate idea

My trainers had seen better days and had lost their grip. But instead of forking out on a new pair, I just rubbed the soles along an old cheese grater – it scratches them enough to create more grip. Maggie Fynn, Derby

No more soggy cucumber

Store leftover cucumber in a glass of water in the fridge. It makes it last so much longer and prevents it from becoming soggy. Mayah Richards, Colchester Plastic insect repellent During the summer, I cover the kids’ drinks with a piece of clingfilm then poke a straw through the top. It stops bees and other annoying insects from irritating them. Annie Daniel, East Sussex

Every vegetable has a paper lining

Keep your veggies fresh by lining your vegetable drawer with a few sheets of kitchen paper. The paper soaks up any unwanted juices, and it’s easy to replace every few days. Jodi Young, Chilworth

Quick nail fix

Whenever my nail polish starts to get a bit thick, I just add a few drops of nail polish remover to it and give it a shake. Smooths it right out! Joanne Lloyd, Portsmouth

Slipping spoons

Tie a rubber band on the end of your spoon to stop it from slipping down into your bowl of cereal. Great idea for the kids! Bridget Pope, Kent

Cold call

Always wash your hair with cold water. Shampoo and conditioner don’t set in as well when the water is too hot. Cold water will leave your hair silky smooth! Julie Weaver, Blackburn

Sour remedies

My son always gets terrible motion sickness when we drive long distances. But I find that giving him a slice of lemon to suck on during the journey eases it straight away. Michelle Park, Torquay