Ants go marching
If ants have invaded your dry dog or cat food, stand the open pack outside in direct sunlight – this will make them leave, as ants don’t like heat or light.
A close shave
Soothe razor burn and relieve nicks and cuts by pressing a wet tea bag to your skin. The tea will take some of the sting out, and the tannin will also help to stop the bleeding.
Magic carpet cleaner
To remove shoe polish from carpet, put a little methylated spirits on a rolled-up ball of pantyhose and rub it over the stain. As the polish comes off, repeat with a clean section of pantyhose.
Bigger is better
If you have trouble reading emails or text on the internet, press the “Control” and “+” keys on a PC or “Command” and “+” on a Mac to make the letters larger. The minus sign does the opposite.
Egg-cellent remedy
If one egg short when baking, you can substitute ¼ cup of unsweetened apple sauce, or whisk together 2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 2 teaspoons of baking powder and use that instead.
Make washing easier
Arrange your wet washing on coat hangers before hanging on the line, even clothes that you don’t normally store on hangers. Fewer creases, you can fit more on the line and it’s easier to bring inside when dry.
Bar mozzies
Plant some lemongrass in a pot near your outdoor table to repel mozzies.
Shine on
Make your stainless steel sink shine by mixing borax with lemon juice to a stiff paste. Rub it on, rinse and wipe clean.
Goodbye weeds
Get on top of weeds with newspaper: water garden well, then layer with six sheets of newspaper, overlapping the edges. Leave a narrow margin of open soil around plant stems. Wet newspaper thoroughly and cover with a thick layer of mulch.
Give scuffs a serve
To remove black scuff marks from vinyl, linoleum, tile and wood floors, simply rub with a tennis ball. To save your back, cut a small cross in the ball and push it onto the end of a broomstick.
Ask the Australian Women’s Weekly
Q How do I remove yellow highlighter pen from school shirts and uniforms?
A Wet the garments with salted water, put into a resealable bag and freeze overnight, then launder as usual the next day.
