Go Bananas Genes R Us Washing up liquid: Dissolves the cell membrane and the membrane around the nucleus, so the DNA can be released. Extract DNA from a banana! Mortar and pestle: Breaks through the banana’s cell walls. Salt: Helps to bring the DNA out of solution. Methylated spirits: Separates the extracted DNA from the rest of the cell mixture. You can use things you would find at home to get DNA from cells