HankyBook (a ‘book’ of organic cotton hankies)

HankyBook is another good idea from over the pond. Invented by an engineering student, just ‘turn the page’ for a fresh hanky. You then ‘pull apart the pages’ to wash in the machine. The protective cover keeps your hands clean, and helps to prevent invention.

Don’t flush disposable tissues down the loo, as they clog drains and cause garden floods (won’t make you popular with neighbours).

How to safely blow your nose

Apparently most of us don’t blow our hooters properly. This not only makes it more uncomfortable if you have a cold – but can rupture blood vessels and even force air into the middle ear. Next time you have the sniffles:

• • Place one finger against your nostril, and apply pressure.
  • Take a breath, then gently blow the other nostril into a tissue.
  • Do the same on the other side.
  • Wash your hands, to avoid passing germs onto others.