The knowledge that accumulates over time, and experience, is many times more effective than the most complex theorems resolved in a laboratory. Not that it detracts from science. On the contrary, I consider it the only way to restore the balance lost on Earth, but I recognize that it still does not explain all the conflicts of men nor does it offer all the answers to the simple problems —but difficult to solve— that we women face in our daily life.

It is in those moments when we need the advice of our grandmothers who carry the indisputable endorsement of their years lived. Here I leave you some that although they are varied, have defended the passage of time and technological advances.

Old house tricks

• If you have bought a new slab with colored designs, wash them with water and vinegar. This trick is not only to clean them, but to remove any lead residue left over from painting. Lead is one of the metals harmful to human health.
• Never clean marble floors with chlorine or another abrasive product, as you will remove their shine. They are shiny if you do it with soapy water and then rinse them. And for the preparation of that water (it also works wonderfully when washing white pieces), dilute soap chips in hot water and that’s it.
• If the water does not flow freely and forcefully from your shower check the little holes in th shower as it often happens that these get clogged with magnesium salts, and others that are dissolved in the water. Unscrew the watering can and if it is metal, boil it for 15 minutes in a ratio of ½ cup of vinegar to four cups of water. If it is made of plastic and does not withstand hot water, leave it overnight in a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar.
• When the rain drenches you and makes your shoes wet, fill them with crumpled and tight newspaper, and put them to dry in a cool, shady place, away from any source of heat. This way they won’t warp. By the way, boil some eucalyptus leaves and drink the slightly sweetened infusion. That will help you to cut the cold.
• If you are going to use spices such as cumin and coriander, their flavor will stand out more if you pass them through hot oil before adding them to the food.
• And since we are in the kitchen, it is important to know when to add salt to each dish. Soups, stews, stews and stews are given their “touch” at the beginning of cooking; to the meats, when they are half done or immediately after removing them from the heat; and legumes, root vegetables and vegetables, in the water.