Right, so here is a list of rather random yet, very useful tips & tricks for you to try in and around your home.

• Don’t keep medicine in your bathroom cabinet. The moisture created from the shower will cause the meds to go off sooner than they should, reducing them to a placebo-like state. Instead store in a cool, dry place like a bedroom wardrobe or cabinet in your kitchen. Keep out of reach of children of course!

• To peel a kiwi, cut off the top and bottom, then slip a spoon in between the skin and the flesh. Twist the spoon round and then pop the skin off.

• Use a fishing tackle box to organise a first aid kit for your home.

• Put rolled up newspapers inside tall boots to keep them from flopping over when stored. This will prevent unwanted creases from forming in them.

• Chuck small items such as baby spoons, dummies, bottle caps etc. inside a small mesh bag and place in dishwasher. This will prevent them from falling through to the bottom of the machine.

• Divide homemade soup or stews into muffin tins to freeze. Two of these will make perfect individually-sized portions.

• When packing liquids for your next trip, remove the lids and put a piece of cling film over the top, then replace the lid. This will add extra, spill-proof protection.

• Before you grill your amazing homemade burgers, press a hole in the middle of each patty. The hole will disappear as the burger cooks and this will minimise shrinking. Plus you won’t have to worry about them being under-cooked in the middle.

• Hard water spots in and around your sink? Soak a cloth in vinegar and lay over the spots for a few minutes. The spots will come right off!

• Rub butter over a cut edge of cheese to stop it from going mouldy.

• Use a tab from a fizzy drink can to hang a picture on a wall.

• Relieve sunburn with Earl Grey tea. Soak a couple of bags in water until the tea is dark black. Dip a cloth into the tea and dab on the sunburnt skin. Continue to reapply and leave the tea to dry overnight. The sunburn should be almost gone come morning.

• If you need to light a hard-to-reach candle, but don’t have any long matches you can use a piece of dry spaghetti to light it.

• When cooking with oil, place a pop corn kernel in it. You’ll know the oil is hot enough when the kernel pops.

• Out of AA batteries? Use AAA and fill the gap with a wad of aluminium foil on the positive end.

• Pour water into a jam jar and add a glow stick, then place outside for a sweet glow in your garden for evening entertaining.

Have a go of any of these tips this weekend. You’ve got an extra day, afterall to try them out!

Tags: Home Improvements, Upcycling