Bad Odour: After chopping garlic or onions, run a lemon quarter over both the knife blade and the cutting board to remove the odour.

Plastic Containers: To deodorise a plastic storage container in which onions or garlic were stored, wash thoroughly, then stuff a crumpled piece of newspaper in the container, and snap the lid shut. In a few days the smell will disappear.

Oven Cleaning: If something spills over in your oven, first sprinkle it with salt and remove with a metal spatula, then wipe with a damp sponge.

Dish Washing: Pans and dishes that have been used for mixing, beating, or cooking eggs [or milk or cheese] should be first rinsed with cold water, then washed with hot soapy water. A hot rinse "cooks" the eggs and makes things tougher to clean.

Aluminium Pots: To brighten aluminium cookware, add 1 to 2 quarts water and 2 to 4 tablespoons cream of tartar and boil 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse, scour lightly with a steel-wool soap pad, and then rinse again.

Opening Jars: To remove pesky bottle tops and jar lids, don a pair of rubber or latex dishwashing gloves. Or twist a fat rubber band around the lid, and then twist open. It gives a non-stop grip that works like a charm.

Prevent Browning: Keep bottled lemon, lime juice or strong acidulated water (2 tablespoons lemon juice per 1 quart water) in a spray mister in the refrigerator and spray on cut apples, avocados, peaches, and pears, etc., to prevent browning.

Cutting Boards: To clean wooden cutting boards scour them with salt and/or baking soda. To rid a cutting board of any smell rub it with a sliced lemon or lime.

Meat Grinders: Run a piece of bread through a meat grinder before washing it to remove the small particles left behind.

Microwave Ovens: Boiling a cup of water inside a microwave for a few minutes before cleaning helps loosen the hardened food particles inside. Putting lemon in water also helps remove odours.

Clear the Air: Here is a fast way to clear the air and put a holiday scent in the house. Put hot tap water in a pot, add cinnamon and apple cider, and simmer for 20 minutes.

Spray Oil: Spray your grill or cooking rack with oil before putting meat or other foods to cook. This prevents food from sticking and makes it much faster and easier to clean.