Monday is a good day to clean...

With bananas

Who knew that bananas had more uses than just to up your potassium intake? See below for a few new ideas for our little yellow friend....

Tenderize a roast

Banana leaves are commonly used in many Asian countries to wrap meat as it's cooking to make it more tender. Some folks in these areas say the banana itself also has this ability. So the next time you fear the roast you're cooking will turn tough on you, try softening it up by adding a ripe, peeled banana to the pan.

Brighten up houseplants

Are the leaves on your houseplants looking dingy or dusty? Don't bother misting them with water – that just spreads the dirt around. Rather, wipe down each leaf with the inside of a banana peel It'll remove all the gunk on the surface and replace it with a lustrous shine.

Make a face mask

You can use a banana as an all-natural face mask that moisturizes your skin and leaves it looking and feeling softer. Mash up a medium-sized ripe banana into a smooth paste, then gently apply it to your face and neck. Let it set for 10-20 minutes, then rinse if off with cold water. Another popular mask recipe calls for 1/4 cup plain yogourt, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 medium banana.