If your carpets are a bit grubby, why not give them the Rug Doctor treatment? This easy-to-operate system is available for hire at many supermarkets from £23 for 24 hours.

Add a few drops of tea tree oil to your normal washing detergent and everything will come out smelling lovely and fresh.

To remove mould spots from leather, apply a layer of Vaseline, leave overnight then rub off with a soft cotton cloth.

Are you conscious of having garlic-smelling breath but don’t have any parsley to hand? Good alternatives might be right there in your spice rack: either fennel seeds or cardamom will do the job just as well.

Is the avocado or mango you want to eat right now not yet ripe? Stick it in the microwave and heat on medium for 20 or 30 seconds. Leave it to cool completely then enjoy!

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!