Old tried and true hints have been forgotten with passing time. Do you have any of your own to add? Here are a few forgotten hints from an old book of mine:

* IF YOUR PAINTBRUSH HAS DRIED HARD, try boiling it in vinegar.
* COTTON REELS make excellent door stops. Screw them into the floor. Touch up with matching colours, or dare to be different and make them psychedelic.
* SCREW TWO COTTON REELS onto the wall close enough for the broom handle to fit between.
* OUT OF DATE CREDIT CARDS make good guitar picks. Cut out the right shape and get picking.
* IF YOUR GARDEN HOSE is damaged, jab it full of holes and use it as a garden sprinkler or soak hose.
* FILL EGG CARTONS with topsoil and use to propagate seedlings. When the seedlings are ready to plant, cut the carton into portions. The cardboard will disintergrate and the plant will not suffer any damage during planting.
* OLD AND TIRED GUMBOOTS - cut them off just above the ankle. They make an excellent pair of waterproof slip-ons if going to the mailbox or a quick trip into the garden.
* USED TEA BAGS. Squeeze them out after use, then place on a flat tray to dry in the sun or in the hot water cupboard. When completely dry store in an air tight jar with a little kerosene added and the jar shaken. Then use as fire starters when needed - they work well.
* KEEP STEEL WOOL in the freezer between uses. This prevents it from rusting, and you get six times more use from it.
* TREAT BEE STINGS with toothpaste; apply instantly. Another treatment is to rub lemon juice on the sting.
* TO PREVENT SKIN FORMING after a paint tin has been opened, store it upside down.
* PAINTING THE BASE of your new metal rubbish can on both sides with asphalt roofing sealer should extend its life to ten years or more, rather than the usual one or two.
* TO ADD FRAGRANCE to a room simply toss a bunch of fresh or dried mint or rosemary into the fireplace. No need for expensive aerosol fragrances.