If you have a multifunctional oven, your microwave may sit quietly in retirement. Here are a few alternative uses to get it back to work:
Fast Fabric Dying Mix the dye and water and add the item(s). ‘Cook’ on full power for 4 minutes then remove and rinse.
Resurrect Clumpy Mascara Heat the tube for 20-30 seconds (depending on the maximum power).
Sterilising cloths The microwave can sterilise cloths, sponges and even wooden chopping boards in two minutes on maximum power (always make sure the items are wet before trying this, and ensure they contain no metal).
Sterilising soil The microwave is ideal for sterilising garden soil ready for sowing seeds and pricking out seedlings. Heat in shallow trays on full power until the soil is steaming.
Warming lemons, limes and oranges briefly also allows you to get more juice from them when squeezing.
