Top tip from leading patissier Eric Lanlard: by adding a teaspoon of caster sugar to the bowl before you start whisking egg whites, the whites will instantly liquefy and they’ll whip up much more quickly!

To unknot a chain, work the knot free using a pair of pins – it’s far easier than using your fingers.

If you rub a tiny amount of lemon oil (available from most health food shops) on your glass shower screen say once a fortnight, this will help the water to bead, roll down the screen and keep it clear.

I love a glass of fizz, and as it’s my birthday today I’ll be indulging. The only problem is, the older I get, the more difficulty I have getting the cork out. No more: with VacuVin’s champagne (and prosecco and cava) opener, £3.50 from HartsofStur.com, you sink its claws into the cork and, with an almost effortless twist, out it pops!

If you have a cupboardful of denture cleaning tablets, drop a tablet into a glass of water, and any of your diamond jewellery. Let it sit for a few minutes, remove, rinse and admire the sparkling results!

Leave your dentures in a solution of half clear vinegar and half water for around 15 minutes, then brush thoroughly.

…from loose-bottomed baking tins with clever, sturdy PushPan bakeware. The removable base has a silicone seal, which ensures that nothing escapes, and the nonstick surface needs no lining. Prices start at £9.50 from waitrosekitchen.com.

If you’re making a pile of sandwiches for a crowd of people, keep the bread fresh and soft by covering in a barely-damp teatowel or kitchen paper.

If you’re considering ceramic floor tiles, choose a darkish shade of grouting – stylish and much more practical than white!