Improvise a makeshift strainer for liquids from the legs of a clean pair of tights, or a stocking. Stretch the fabric across the bottom of a wide-necked funnel, hold it in place and pour.
Punch holes in the bottom of a foil plate if you don't have a colander to hand.
Use a fine sieve to smooth out the lumps in icing sugar; just push it through the holes with a metal spoon. The same remedy works for lumpy custard, white sauce or gravy.
