Honey and lemon for a cough
A familiar warm drink, with limits worth knowing.
Evidence: Limited evidenceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
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Search matches titles, problems, categories and ingredients — including alternative names, so “baking soda” finds bicarbonate of soda and “pimples” finds spots.
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55 prepared entries in this collection.
Salt-water gargling for a sore throat
A simple gargle mentioned in NHS self-care advice.
Evidence: Included in clinical self-care guidanceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Toothpaste on spots
A familiar shortcut that can irritate skin.
Evidence: Evidence against this useAvoid this useSkin, hair & beautyProfessional review pending
Petroleum jelly for chapped lips
A simple barrier for dry, cracked lips.
Evidence: Included in dermatology guidanceSkin, hair & beautyProfessional review pending
Vinegar for windows
A diluted vinegar option for suitable glass surfaces.
Evidence: Practical extension guidanceCleaning & home
Bicarbonate of soda for fridge odours
The familiar fridge cupboard staple.
Evidence: Common household useCleaning & home
Cold water for fresh blood stains
Start with cool water on suitable washable fabric.
Evidence: Practical extension guidanceLaundry & stains
Ice for chewing gum on clothing
Cold can make gum easier to lift away.
Evidence: Practical extension guidanceLaundry & stains
Lemon juice and cut-apple browning
A kitchen trick for slowing visible browning.
Evidence: Practical extension guidanceKitchen & food
The egg float test: freshness versus safety
Floating tells you about an egg’s air cell, not a safety guarantee.
Evidence: Important limitationImportant limitationKitchen & food
Coffee grounds in compost
Useful in moderation, mixed with other compost ingredients.
Evidence: Practical extension guidanceGarden & plants
Eggshell barriers against slugs
A garden favourite that failed to reduce damage in an RHS trial.
Evidence: Not supported in an RHS trialGarden & plants
Vinegar traps for fruit flies
A small trap works alongside removing breeding sites.
Evidence: Practical extension guidancePests & insects
Garlic for fleas: checking the claim
Garlic is not an appropriate flea remedy for dogs.
Evidence: Evidence against this useAvoid this usePets & animalsProfessional review pending
Milk for cats: tradition and suitability
The familiar saucer of milk is not a substitute for water.
Evidence: Veterinary welfare guidance cautionsPets & animalsProfessional review pending
Descaling a kettle with vinegar
A half-and-half vinegar soak loosens limescale; rinse boils remove the taste.
Evidence: Tested by a consumer kitchen publicationCleaning & home
Lemon and salt on chopping boards
A scrub can freshen wood, but it is not how food-safety agencies say to clean boards.
Evidence: Food-safety guidance does not list it as a sanitiserImportant limitationCleaning & home
Newspaper for streak-free glass
An old habit that modern, thinner newsprint does poorly.
Evidence: Cleaning trade view: less reliable than it wasCleaning & home
A walnut on scratched wooden furniture
Nut oil can disguise fine scratches; it does not fill gouges.
Evidence: DIY publication guidance; light scratches onlyCleaning & home
Vinegar on marble: checking a cleaning myth
Acid etches marble and similar stone. Do not use vinegar on it.
Evidence: Stone-care industry warningAvoid this useCleaning & home
Bicarbonate and vinegar in drains: does the fizz help?
The fizz may loosen a light film near the opening; it seldom shifts a clog.
Evidence: Plumbing trade view: rarely clears a real blockageImportant limitationCleaning & home
Salt on red wine stains
Salt and white wine did poorly in a UC Davis comparison.
Evidence: University laboratory comparison found folklore methods weakLaundry & stains
Sunshine for whitening laundry
Line-drying whites flat in strong sun is a long-standing brightening habit.
Evidence: Home-publication trial; informalLaundry & stains
White vinegar as a fabric rinse
A manufacturer suggests vinegar soaks for some stains but not in the machine itself.
Evidence: Appliance-maker guidance; limitedLaundry & stains
Removing candle wax from fabric
Scrape, then iron through paper towels from the back.
Evidence: University extension stain guidanceLaundry & stains
Lemon juice on rust stains
Rust is hard to shift; the key warning is never to use chlorine bleach.
Evidence: University extension stain guidanceImportant limitationLaundry & stains
A potato in oversalted soup
In a kitchen test the potato dulled the flavour more than the salt.
Evidence: Kitchen test: little effect on saltinessKitchen & food
Rice in a salt shaker
A few grains of raw rice take up moisture so salt pours freely.
Evidence: Food publication explanationKitchen & food
Storing cut herbs in water
Stand trimmed stems in a little water, loosely covered, in the fridge.
Evidence: University extension food guidanceKitchen & food
A wooden spoon to stop a pot boiling over
A spoon across the pot can burst some bubbles; overfilling still wins.
Evidence: Science explainer: can delay, not preventKitchen & food
Why traditional pickles need a tested recipe
Acidity is a safety matter; don’t adjust vinegar, food or water.
Evidence: National food-preservation guidanceImportant limitationKitchen & food
Cucumber peel to deter ants
A study found cucumber did little to keep ants away.
Evidence: Laboratory study found weak, short-lived effectsPests & insects
Cedar and herb sachets for clothes moths
Pleasant-smelling, but extension guidance says cedar does nothing to repel moths.
Evidence: University extension says cedar does not repel clothes mothsPests & insects
Bay leaves in the pantry
Extension entomologists say bay leaves don’t prevent pantry pests.
Evidence: University extension: no evidencePests & insects
Epsom salts for tomatoes
A garden myth: extension advice says it leads to more blossom end rot.
Evidence: University extension says it can make blossom end rot worseAvoid this useGarden & plants
Dishwashing liquid for aphids
Soap sprays work on soft-bodied pests, but homemade mixes can harm plants.
Evidence: University extension: works on soft-bodied pests; plant injury possibleImportant limitationGarden & plants
Cinnamon on seedlings
Popular for damping off, but untested in the way gardeners use it.
Evidence: No studies matching garden use foundGarden & plants
Newspaper and cardboard as a weed barrier
Sheet mulching is an extension-recommended way to smother weeds.
Evidence: University extension guidanceGarden & plants
Willow water for rooting cuttings
Widely shared, little controlled evidence.
Evidence: Mostly anecdotal; one comparison favoured commercial rooting gelGarden & plants
Wood ash in the garden
Useful in moderation on acid soils; harmful for acid-loving plants.
Evidence: University extension guidance; test soil firstGarden & plants
Vinegar as a weedkiller
Horticultural vinegar is far stronger than household vinegar and needs care.
Evidence: University extension: strong vinegar is hazardousImportant limitationGarden & plants
Ginger for nausea
The NHS lists ginger tea or ginger biscuits among things to try.
Evidence: Included in clinical self-care guidanceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Warm milk before bed
A comforting ritual; the milk itself probably isn’t enough to cause sleep.
Evidence: Limited evidenceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Onions in socks for a cold
A persistent tale with no evidence behind it.
Evidence: No supporting evidenceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Butter on burns: examining the tradition
First-aid advice is cool running water, not butter.
Evidence: Contradicted by first-aid guidanceAvoid this useHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Steam over a bowl for congestion
The NHS and British Burn Association urge people not to do this.
Evidence: NHS public safety warning againstAvoid this useHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Bicarbonate of soda for indigestion
Sodium bicarbonate is an antacid, but ask a pharmacist rather than guessing a dose.
Evidence: Used as an antacid medicine; dosing needs professional adviceImportant limitationHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Cranberry for urinary infections
Evidence supports prevention in some groups, not treatment.
Evidence: Systematic review: may help prevent recurrence in some groupsHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Peppermint oil for stomach cramps
Licensed peppermint oil capsules ease cramps and bloating, particularly with IBS.
Evidence: Licensed medicine for IBS symptomsImportant limitationHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Cool water and aftersun for sunburn
The NHS advises cooling the skin and an unperfumed moisturiser.
Evidence: Included in clinical self-care guidanceHealth & comfortProfessional review pending
Cucumber slices for puffy eyes
The cool temperature, not the cucumber itself, gives brief relief.
Evidence: Temporary cooling effectSkin, hair & beautyProfessional review pending
Olive oil on a baby’s skin or scalp
The NHS says not to use olive oil for cradle cap.
Evidence: Advised against in NHS guidanceAvoid this useSkin, hair & beautyProfessional review pending
Apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse
A popular rinse with little evidence behind it.
Evidence: Anecdotal; lacking dataSkin, hair & beautyProfessional review pending
Pumpkin for a dog with an upset stomach
Plain pumpkin may help mild diarrhoea; see a vet if it persists.
Evidence: Kennel-club guidance for mild casesPets & animalsProfessional review pending
Tea tree oil for pet skin problems
Concentrated tea tree oil can poison cats and dogs in small amounts.
Evidence: Animal poison-control warningAvoid this usePets & animalsProfessional review pending