Sunburn: For quick relief, take a cool oatmeal bath then smooth on a thin layer of a soothing moisturising lotion-do not use oil in any form. Apply cool compresses made of crushed ice, or a packet of frozen peas for ten to fifteen minutes several times a day.

Sunscreens: Sunscreens should be used regularly from early childhood to prevent skin damage, such as altered texture, wrinkling, discoloration, pronounced blood vessels and skin cancer.

Tape: If you're having trouble finding the end of a roll of sticky tape, just slide a credit card along the roll until it catches. A knife will also work.

Toothache: If your tooth has only just begun to ache, drink hot liquids. For an ongoing ache, suck on ice.

Wasps: To minimise the risk of a wasp sting don't wear perfume or brightly coloured clothes on hot, summer days.

Zips: To make a zip work smoothly, run a candle up and down the teeth. If it's really sticky, rub with a lead pencil.

Chewing Gum: To remove chewing gum from a carpet or rug, harden it with an ice cube and scrape it off with a blunt knife. To avoid wetting the rug, put the ice in a plastic bag.

Shiny clothing: To prevent a sheen appearing, press heavy cotton, wool, acetate, rayon, linen, permanent-press and dark fabrics on the wrong side. Or use a damp cloth.

Shoe polish: At a pinch, you can shine your leather shoes with floor wax or spray-on window cleaner.

Sensitive skin: Stay away from alkaline soaps, facial masks, grainy cleansers, alcohol-based astringents and cosmetics, acetone products such as nail-polish remover, and anything with fragrance.

Cup stains: Scrub with salt or a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water or a 50-50 mixture of salt and white vinegar.