A great way to learn all the old tricks our grandmothers would use to solve everyday problems in the kitchen and home.

'To remove garlic skins easily try putting them into boiling water for two minutes or you can alternatively microwave them for 30/45 seconds on high setting - adjust time depending on microwave power, always follow your microwave guidelines and instructions'

'Clean electric light bulbs by first switching off the light, removing them from the light fitting and with a cloth moistened with methylated spirits wipe the glass part very carefully, allow to dry before replacing bulbs into fittings'

'Put banana skins under the soil before planting roses. They rot quickly and provide excellent food as the skins breakdown and compost'

'Wine stains - try applying table salt to the stain immediately. Allow salt to absorb the wine, rinse off with cold water - repeat if necessary'

'Try peeling fresh vegetables in a colander in a bowl of water, you can then lift the peelings out easily ready for composting or easy disposal'

'You can mend a leaking vase by melting a few drops of melted candle wax into the leak'

'When slicing smoked salmon use a pair of tweezers to remove the bones'

'To unblock a steam iron, pour a little vinegar into the empty water holder, switch on the iron and let it heat up - the iron when heated up and the vinegar has evaporated will have magically unblocked'

'Half an aspirin dissolved in the vase of drooping flowers often revives them'

'If you want to use the rind of an orange or lemon try squeezing the juice into an ice cube tray and freezing for future use'

'Add one whisked egg white to a carton of double cream to make twice the quantity'

'To keep salad nice and crisp place an upside down saucer in the salad bowl and any moisture will collect below it'

'Rub oil of lavender over windows and window frames to keep flies out of the room - repeat again as necessary'

'For grass stains on your tougher materials (jeans and trousers) try treating by rubbing gently with lemon juice before washing, on more delicate materials dampen first with cold water and apply cream of tartar and leave for a couple of hours'

'To remove beetroot stains from cloths, rub half a cut pear over the mark'

'Keep dishcloths clean by placing them in the cutlery section of the dishwasher'

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