Bone-handled cutlery should not be put in the dishwasher – the heat can loosen the glue that fixes blade and handle together. Hand-wash in warm soapy water and dry immediately.

If you live in a hard water area and add 100g soda crystals to your washload, you can reduce the amount of detergent to the guidelines for soft water (it also helps prevent limescale build-up and lessens the risk of machine breakdown). 

Get rid of grey stains around the inside of shirt collars by rubbing the marks heavily with chalk before washing – chalk will absorb the oils that hold the dirt in.

Your chance to buy your own copy of Diana Moran’s Easifit DVD

Your chance to buy your own copy of Diana Moran’s Easifit DVD – Ease into Fitness with the Green Goddess – at the special price of only £6.99. Go to buy here >

This is Easifit – Ease back into fitness, whatever your age! simple exercises specially designed for those later on in life; who haven’t exercised in a while or just can’t do the type of exercise they used to

BBC Breakfast’s Diana Moran has produced a revolutionary fitness program, entitled ‘EasiFit with Diana Moran’. It consists of simple exercises specially designed for those later on in life; who haven’t exercised in a while or just can’t do the type of exercise they used to. The additional facial exercises bring together fitness and beauty, ensuring glowing results.

The best remedy is to get a wire pot scrubber (or Brillo pad) and go at the rust with hot soapy water until it’s all gone. Dry well, then apply a light film of vegetable oil with kitchen paper. Store in a plastic bag to prevent any dust sticking to the surface.

Save time trying to unpick sticky tape from the roll by always placing a toothpick under the end every time you finish using it.

Do your towels always end up stiff? Chances are you’re using too much detergent, which is not being rinsed properly from the fabric. Try running a few clean ones, without detergent, in the rinse programme and see how many suds are there! If so, use less detergent in future.

If you leave your Le Creuset pan a long time before cleaning (tut!), it can be a pain. Ease the strain with a slice of fresh pineapple – the enzyme within cuts right through the food stain, making cleaning easier.

Rub over some dried mustard powder, leave overnight then scrub under a hot tap, rinse and dry.

Dent on a wooden surface? Place a damp cloth over it, and hold a warmish iron over that for a few minutes. Moisture from the cloth swells the grain; allow to dry before polishing.