Next time you’re cooking rhubarb , add some grated orange zest to the pan. And if you have a vanilla pod lying around, stick that in too. Your stewed fruit will take on a much more sophisticated flavour!

Simply place a strip of brown parcel tape (the very thin stuff that comes in big rolls) over the dust, whip off and hey presto you’re soon left with a dust-free lampshade!

Here are a few remedies to get it looking good again. The better the quality, the easier it will be to clean…

*Wipe with kitchen paper moistened with cooking oil, then wash in hot soapy water.

* Wipe over with lemon juice, which is a natural bleaching agent, leave a few minutes then wash off.

* Mix bicarbonate of soda with a little water to make a paste, and smear on to the stain. Leave an hour then wash in hot soapy water.

Lots of food stains on clothes? You’re better off using washing powder rather than liquid as most powders contain bleach (which liquids and capsules don’t) and powder is much more effective at removing food stains (and keeping your whites white).

My cashmere jumper sale bargain from last year has been erupting bobbles in a very annoying way. Okay I could pick them off one by one, but they’re like a rash over the surface!

I came across the wonderfully simple Sweater Stone, which feels like pumice and when rubbed over the surface of any garment that’s pilling will pull off all the bits you don’t want.

You have to be quite gentle as it’s very effective.

Open the windows as much as possible. Buy a couple of tubs of bicarbonate of soda (cheaper on the internet) and sprinkle plenty of it over the carpets and any upholstered furniture left by the previous owner, leave overnight and vacuum off. This will absorb the smoky smell without masking the odour or harming the fabric. Use a fabric deodoriser for any curtains.

You should wash all wood and paintwork with a mild solution of sugar soap (from hardware shops) and place a few homemade air fresheners around the place: put three tablespoons bicarbonate of soda in a bowl and add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Rub a little of the oil on to light bulbs.

You could also try the Moso air purifying bag, which contains bamboo charcoal and absorbs nasty smells produced by smoke, pets, mildew, etc. It will also pick up airborne bacteria, allergens and excessive moisture.

If you’re going to redecorate, this will help hugely to freshen the place.

If your once-lovely suede slingbacks are looking less than pristine, here’s what to do.

Boil a kettle and carefully steam the stained area, then gently but firmly buff up the surface with a stiff suede brush.

You might see some shedding from the surface, but this won’t damage the shoe  – it’ll freshen it up nicely instead.

This is best done on a sunny day. Lloyd Loom pieces are made from twisted paper and wire and have to be treated with care.

Vacuum with the nozzle attachment and use a dry, stiffish brush (an old scrubbing brush is good) to loosen the dust. Then wash down with a weak solution of washing-up liquid and warm water, paying attention to any very dirty areas.

Use a softer brush to help dislodge the dirt in between the weave, but take great care not to over-wet.

Rinse and allow to air-dry outside in the sun.

Rats are actually easier to get rid of than mice, preferring sewers and dumps to houses.

But you must act fast as besides spreading disease rats need to sharpen their teeth constantly and so will chew through virtually anything, including brick, wiring and metal pipes, causing massive damage.

The pest control service at your local council is the first port of call – pronto!

Plasti-kote is a spray-on enamel especially made for this task.

It’s quick, easy to use and dries in under 30 minutes (several thin coats are better than one heavy coat). It’s scratch resistant and has a non-yellowing formula.

Happy spraying!