So who really discovers them? And under what dire circumstances of domestic desperation?

For example, who discovered that rhubarb cleans burnt saucepans? And how did they find out? Did they think, "Well, rhubarb cooks a pan clean, so maybe it cleans an overcooked pan...", or "Gee, that pan is a mess, I think I'll cook some rhubarb in it...?"

Truth is, rhubarb is not the first thing that springs to mind when I burn a pot. I have never tested the tip, so I have no idea whether or not it works. The following tips, however, are tried and true tricks.

BAKING TRAYS

placed under casseroles or pie dishes catch any overflow and save on oven cleaning.

BEETROOT TOPS

should not be wasted. They are an excellent vegetable in themselves and should be washed and cooked as spinach.

BICARBONATE OF SODA

in a bowl in the fridge helps to eliminate odours. Bicarb also works as a fire retardant - sprinkle it fast if things under your broiler catch fire, or use for a grease fire on the stove.

CHEESE

is easier to wash off a grater if you brush the grater with a little oil first.

CINNAMON STICKS

boiled in water on the stove make a lovely home fragrance.

CITRUS

fruit release more juice if the fruit is warmed in a bowl of hot water before juicing.

CITRUS

zest is easier to grate if you wet the grater first.

ICE CUBES

dropped into soups or stews are a quick way of reducing fat. The fat will congeal around the ice.

LEFTOVER JAMS AND JELLIES

can be mixed and stored in one jar to be used as glazes on hams and roasts.

MUSTARD POWDER

in the washing up helps to kill fish smells on implements.

OATMEAL

is a life-giving healthfood and a superior thickener. Instant porridge is a smart anti-cholesterol way to thicken strongly-flavored soups or even bolognaise sauce.

ORANGE JUICE

is better than water as an addition to omlettes to make them lighter.

ROSEMARY

by the branch or mass of sprigs, places on a baking tray in a warm oven, emits delightful aromas which make for one of the nicest house-deodorisers in the business.

SALTY SOUP

can be salvaged by peeling and slicing a potato and cooking it in the soup, removing it before serving.

VINEGAR

mixed with hot water makes glass sparkle as a final rinse.

VINEGAR

in the washing machine rinse cycle whitens and brightens.