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!

Here’s a quick way to peel peppers: place in the microwave and cook on high for a couple of minutes until the skin comes loose (timing depends on your microwave’s power).

Next time you have a bulky parcel to send in the post, instead of shelling out a few pounds for a large padded envelope, use leftover bubble wrap and enclose everything in a bog-standard black refuse bag, then seal well with parcel tape. All set to go!

Try not to overfill your fridge – it should be around 75 percent full for maximum efficiency.