TO MAKE NATURAL FURNITURE POLISH: Put 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into a small bowl and mix well. Apply to the wood with a soft cloth before buffing and leaving to air dry.

TO REMOVE DEODORANT STAINS: Dissolve 1 tablespoon of citric acid in a small bowl of hot water. Apply solution directly to stained area and leave to soak overnight. Spray area with white vinegar before washing as normal in your machine.

CLEANING FINE CHINA: Get a brilliant shine by rinsing your fine china in a solution of borax substitute (1/2 cup in a sink full of warm water). Hand painted designs will not fade using this method. Rinse thoroughly with clear water.

RUST REMOVER: Cover rusty tools, gates and other equipment with bicarbonate of soda, then pour on white vinegar to make the solution bubble. When the action stops, scrub off with a stiff brush.

CLEANING BLACKENED/BURNT PANS: A strong solution of soda crystals (150g to 1 pint of hot water) is very effective for removing burnt-on grease and food from pans, dishes and grill pans. Soak stubborn debris overnight then rinse with clean water.

STREAKY WINDOWS & SMEARS ON GLASS: Spray area with white vinegar and use a damp cloth to remove dirt and grease. Buff with a traditional linen scrim to remove pesky streaks and smears! (always use your scrim dry).

MAKE YOUR OWN DISHWASHER POWDER: Mix a tablespoon each of bicarbonate of soda and borax substitute, pour into dishwasher dispenser and set to required programme. Use white vinegar in place of rinse aid.

TO SOFTEN NEW WOOLLENS AND BLANKETS: Soak item in a cold, mild solution of soda crystals (1 tablespoon to 1 pint of cold water) for at least 15 minutes before carefully washing with pure vegetable soap flakes or liquid soap flakes. Rinse well in cold water.

DECORATING TIP: Use a regular solution of soda crystals (75g to 1 pint of hot water) instead of sugar soap to wipe down walls and woodwork prior to painting and papering.

TO CLEAN OUTDOOR DECKING: Dissolve a regular solution of soda crystals (75g to 1 pint of hot water) and mop or scrub the area with a stiff broom. This will remove moss and algae and eliminate the ‘slip’ factor!

WASHING OUTDOOR GEAR & MICROFIBRES: To protect the waterproof properties of your outdoor wear, wash with pure vegetable soap flakes or liquid soap flakes which are so delicate that they will not impair the performance of the garment.

TO CLEAN MAKE-UP BRUSHES: Fill a small wide tumbler with white vinegar and swirl your make-up brush in the solution until it turns cloudy. Rinse your brush with clean water and squeeze dry before placing onto kitchen paper. Leave to air dry overnight.

DEODORISING AROUND THE HOME: Sprinkle a small amount of bicarbonate of soda into the bottom of your waste bin before use. To eliminate fridge odours, simply stand an opened box of bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of your fridge. To freshen carpets and rugs, sprinkle liberally with bicarbonate of soda and leave overnight. Vacuum the next morning for a fresh and naturally clean smelling floor!