Used household rubber gloves make good elastic bands if you cut 1cm strips across the palm.

 

 Sort out swollen feet on a plane journey. Take off your shoes and roll a golf ball under each foot. It acts as a mini-massage, keeping the blood circulating.

 On a long flight, drink loads of water and eat crisps and salted nuts to stay hydrated and maintain your salt level.

 Got a cold? Garlic and onions are both excellent antivirals, so add plenty to your food, no matter what  your friends say.

 Add honey to your tea. Honey is an excellent antiviral and antibacterial which helps strengthen the body and kill off germs.

 Zinc can cut colds down from an average of eight days to four. Zinc can also tackle symptoms like an irritated throat. Try zinc lozenges, but be careful. More than 25mg a day can cause vomiting, dizziness or anemia. And don’t take zinc if you’re taking vitamin C. The two substances react, and make the zinc less effective.

 Your silver will shine like new if you rub it with a piece of rhubarb.

 To clean brown leather shoes, use the inside of a banana skin. Leave it to dry naturally, and don’t buff up. For black shoes, use the inside of a fresh orange rind.

 To get rid of ugly lime scale on your taps, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and secure it over the nozzle with an elastic band. Leave it for half an hour, then polish.

 If you get grease or oil on your clothes, spread lard over the stain. The lard will soften and break down the dirt, making it easier to remove in the wash.