PETROLEUM JELLY

Softener - massage petroleum jelly into the cuticles of your fingertips every morning and night.

Body insulator - If you don't want to wear bulky clothes while exercising outdoors, cover your exposed skin with petroleum jelly, it will keep you warm.

Squeak eliminator and lubricator - rub petroleum jelly on axles, skateboard, roller skate, pushchair wheels to get rid of squeaks and improve rotation.

Rust preventor - protect metal parts of tools, cooking utensils, sporting equipment, skis etc. by coating with petroleum jelly.

Lid saver - smear the inside of a container lid with petroleum jelly to prevent lids sticking (especially useful for such things as nail varnish.

Thread easer - smear thread of bolts, screws, plumbing etc. with petroleum jelly to make them easier to remove at a future date.

Eyebrow tamer - to tidy up unruly eyebrows smear on a light film of petroleum jelly.

Smooth runner - smear on window and drawer tracks to prevent sticking.

Ring remover - before trying to remove a tight ring smear petroleum jelly on your finger around the ring.

SHAMPOO

Shaving Cream - if you run out of shaving cream apply a small amount of shampoo to your skin and work up into a lather.

Detergent - if you need a gentle soap for hand washables, use shampoo.

SURGICAL SPIRIT

Pepper neutraliser - to take the sting out of your hands after handling chilli peppers, rub in surgical spirit.

Windowsill cleaner - To brighten up rain spotted or discoloured wooden windowsills, wipe with a soft cloth and little surgical spirit diluted with water.

Bathroom cleaner - surgical spirit will remove hair spray from mirrors and restore the shine on chrome taps.

Crystal/Porcelain cleaner - carefully clean delicate crystal and porcelain objects with a cloth dampened with surgical spirit.

SHAVING CREAM

Lubricant - if you door hinge squeaks, spray both side of the hinge joint with some foamy shaving cream, then wipe of the excess.

Upholstery cleaner - rub a fresh stain on upholstered furniture with a small amount of shaving cream, wipe with a damp cloth, then dry.  (best to test first).

De-mister - to prevent bathroom mirrors misting up, spread a little shaving cream over it and then wipe the mirror clean with a tissue.

This was also sent in by Jayson Holden.

TOOTHBRUSHES

Scrubbing brush - old toothbrushes are ideal to unblock the vents on small appliances such as vacuum cleaners, cleaning tile grout, grimy combs, typewriter keys, around plug holes etc.

Crevice cleaner - can be used with metal polish to clean intricate silverware, brassware etc. (use gently so as not to damage the item), or with furniture polish to remove dust from carved wood.

Manicure - use a soft toothbrush and soapy water to clean finger and toe nails.

Motor cleanser - dip a toothbrush in paraffin to get oil out of difficult nooks and crannies.