Sew a small piece of cotton- which matches the colour of your room to the top corner of your net curtains. That way, when you take all your nets down to wash them, you'll know which room each set belongs in when you come to rehang them.


When baking save time by cutting out alot of greaseproof paper to the size of your cake tins, and store them away. No more messing about next time you are baking.


Wall tiles can be hard to clean. Use a hard bristled broom in all crevices and you can reach the top of the wall without having to stand on anything.


The way to keep stainless steel looking shiny and new is to wash it then dry it immediately. The drying makes sure no salts in the water are left.

To avoid staining, wipe plastic food containers with cooking oil before pouring in tomato based sauces.

Sew a small piece of cotton- which matches the colour of your room to the top corner of your net curtains. That way, when you take all your nets down to wash them, you'll know which room each set belongs in when you come to rehang them. Thats a good one i'll try

A small bookcase makes a great storage solution for shoes.


If you rinse out a jelly mould with cold water before you pour the mixture in, the pudding will slide out without any tapping and shaking.


Spread marmite or thick jam with the back of a teaspoon instead of a knife and you'll make less of a mess of the bread.


Spray a little hairspray on cotton before threading your needle - it makes the job alot easier.

don't have net curtains only blinds

Line the bottom of a small flowerpot with a used paper coffee filter before adding compost. It prevents soil loss through the drain holes.

Hang on to chopsticks you get from chinese takeaways - they're just the right size for stirring tins of paint.

If the holes in your shower curtain break, make new ones using a paper punch. Saves replacing the whole thing.

Save the wrappers from christmas boxes of chocolates. The kids can use them to decorate homemade thank-you cards to relatives.


Before putting an artificialb christmas tree into storage, slide it into a waterproof cover designed for a rotary washing line. Keeps it dust-free until next december.


Use shoe-box lids as drawer dividers. Great for keeping items separate.


Use a post-it note to mark where you are when following a knitting or crochet pattern. Its easy to move and good for jotting down notes on.

Instead of expensive suit covers, use scented plastic
swing-bin liners. It keeps the clothes free from dust and smelling
great and cheap too!

In case of power cuts, tape a lighter to a box of candles- be prepared.

Avoid getting a parking ticket when you pop into the corner shop.
Leave the windscreen wipers on when you nip inside.

When you break you favourite bead necklace, dont throw it away simply
thread the beads through a of dental floss and they'll be as good as new.

If you want to deter cats from nyour garden but dont want to hurt them
in any way, put a mirror among your plants- cats hate reflection.

Sprinkle ground cinnamon on tin foil and place it in the oven on a low heat, leaving the door ajar. The aroma will waft out and create an inviting atmosphere.

Keep track of the closing date of any money-off vouchers you have by sticking them in your diary on that date. Then every time you check your diary, you will be reminded to use them.

Need a tall container to store spaghetti? Cut the top off a plastic two-litre bottle for the 'jar' and the bottom of a second bottle for the lid.

Before you use a paint tray, place it inside a plastic bag, then secure with sticky tape and pour in the paint. When you have finished simply remove the bag and you wont have to wash the tray.


Rather than throw away an old duvet, wash it and cut into smaller sections, then stitch around the edges of each piece. Hey presto! you will have several machine-washable kids play mats.

Steamers are expensive and take up alot of space. Instead balance a colander above a pan of boiling water, put the food in the colander and cover with a plate.
Perfectly steamed food.

When you have a cold, every time you finish using your toothbrush, rinse it iin boiling water. This kills germs, so you should get well sooner.

Add a drop of washing-up liquid to kids poster paints. Stains come out of their clothes much more easily.

To make fancy ice cubes simply freeze water in one of the decorative plastic trays from a box of chocolates.