Everyone keeps sugar in their house. Here are some handy tips using this household staple.

A teaspoon of sugar dissolved into the water in a vase of fresh flowers will increase their longevity.

A teaspoon of sugar added to any cooked dish with tomato in, will improve its flavor.

Clean garden-soiled hands by putting a little sugar and olive oil into your palms. Rub well. Removes grime and softens hands. The same paste makes a good hand or facial scrub (avoid the delicate eye area).

To quickly remove paint drips from your hands without using irritating paint-thinners, pour about a large spoon of sugar and the same of olive oil directly onto your palms. Rub your hands together until all residue is gone.

When boiling sweet corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the natural sweetness.

Keep biscuits fresh and crisp. Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar in the base of the air-tight storage tin before adding in the biscuits.

Keep cheese free of mould by including a tiny bowl of sugar in the cheese storage container.

A teaspoon of sugar and salt, added together while boiling beetroot will encourage it to soften sooner and prevent “bleeding” and subsequent loss of colour.