Composting is the ultimate recycling activity. It reduces the food and garden waste that goes into landfill and can transform your garden with its nutrient boosting properties. Not all food waste is beneficial for your compost though, so here are some important things to avoid - and why.
You may love that silk dress or linen shirt, but if you squish them into your suitcase, they will be full of creases by the time you reach your destination.
We’re getting close to venturing back outside after a very wet winter. Unfortunately, moisture often equals mildew or mould, so your outdoor furniture may need a good clean before you use it again this spring.
When it comes to loading the dishwasher there seems to be two types of people. Those who just throw things in willy-nilly and hope for the best – and those who rinse everything first and then place them carefully in designated areas. Well, we’ve found the most efficient way (and hopefully it will save arguments!)
You get sent to the supermarket to get to pick up some brown sugar, only to be confronted by a huge range which can be oh so confusing. Do you choose muscovado, which is brown, or bog-standard brown sugar (obviously also brown)?
Whether they are a gift, or you are giving yourself a treat, here are some different ways to make your lovely bunch of cut flowers last a bit longer – and they’re all common household items.
Admit it, we all bought too much, so if you have a cupboard full of hand sanitiser, you’re not alone! If you’re not going to get through it all before it expires, here are 12 other ways you can use it around your home.
You’re having a cooking session and the recipe calls for butter … but you’ve run out. You do have a tub of margarine in the fridge, but will it make a difference to your final dish or not?
The same toothpaste that you use to clean your teeth can be used for different purposes. Here are 11 ways you can use it in and around your home.
You’ve measured, mixed, and whisked, but still your cake comes out sunken in the middle or even looking more like a pancake. Don’t be sad! Read on.
If you want your non-stick pans to last, it's important to take good care of them to prevent their surface from scratching, peeling, or warping. Here are a few tips to keep them turning from a ‘non-stick pan’, into just a ‘pan’.
We’ve all done it. Tossed an item of clothing into the wash without checking the label and it comes out a smaller version of what went in. But all is not lost. There is a way you can ‘unshrink’ some items of clothing.
A fridge is one appliance in your home that we tend to take for granted – but to keep it working efficiently and doing its job, there are a few things you should (and shouldn’t) do.
Your feet have around 250,000 sweat glands, so it’s no surprise they spring into action when you stuff your feet into shoes walk around all day. When your feet are confined to shoes, sweat and warmth create a breeding ground for bacteria (which causes the smell).
Are you making the most of your washing machine? It’s much more versatile than you may think. Here are some common household items you can throw in and let it do the work for you.
If you’re baking and have run out of eggs, try one of these substitutes instead. Some of the substitutes are also a great option if you are baking for someone who follows a vegan diet.
Would you like weevils with that? Believe it or not you’ve probably eaten a few of these common pantry pests in the past - but don’t panic – they won’t harm you! Here are a few signs you should look out for.
Face masks can be a bit of a hassle, but they are sometimes necessary to protect ourselves and others. Try a few of these tips to make wearing them a bit comfier.
Do you add oil to the water when cooking pasta? If you do, then stop; it’s a big no-no that would have Nonna tearing her hair out! Here’s what you should and shouldn’t be doing when it comes to this pantry favourite.
Your dishwasher could well be one of the hardest working appliances in your home – but it can do so much more. Here are 8 things you could add to your next load.
There’s something about Christmas that makes us all buy twice as much food as we normally would. But we can only eat so many ham or turkey sandwiches; so, what else can you do with all the Christmas leftovers?
Whatever your age or gender, there’s nothing nicer than putting on a crisp, white shirt, which will go with just about anything. That is until it becomes a dull, sad shade of grey from not being properly cared for. Here’s how to keep your whites, white and bright.
If you need a cake for a special occasion or a party but are a bit short of time, here are some quick and easy decorating ideas that will have your guests saying ‘WOW!’ (Shhhh – we won’t tell if you don’t!)
If you’ve got lots of bottles of half used nail polish lying around the house, here are some great ideas to use it up, apart from putting it on your nails.
Although research says that spring cleaning is good for you, it doesn’t make it any more enjoyable for most people! So, here are some easy shortcuts to get great results with much less effort.
Ever had a massive baking fail even though you followed the recipe? Here are 8 mistakes you might be making, without even realising.
‘Big hair’ may have gone out of fashion but there are still plenty of things you can do with the hair spray!
Ever bashed your thumb with a hammer while doing a bit of DIY? Well, these great tips will be perfect for you. Read on!
Paper towel is very handy for wiping up spills, but it has other clever uses around the kitchen.
Almost everyone loves a cup of tea – including your skin and your garden! So, don’t throw away your used tea bags and leaves, put them to good use and try a few of these clever things instead.
There is a massive range of house cleaning products available, but don’t be fooled into thinking you need a different product for every part of your home. Here are 3 recipes for cleaning products using simple and inexpensive ingredients.
Pests in the garden are a natural part of the eco system, but this doesn’t help when they are chomping their way through all your lovingly tended garden beds. Here are 9 ways to get rid of them without using harsh chemicals.
Pop in a tumble dryer sheet when drying your washing on a rainy day and it will reduce static and leave your clothes feeling soft and fresh. But that’s not all they can do.
Mornings can be a bit of a rush in most households. So why not check out our handy tips on ways to make those lunchboxes easier to organise – whether you are going to work or school.
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Freezers are great for extending the life of certain foods when we’ve over-shopped! There are lots of things you can freeze to use later, but here are 5 things that shouldn’t be in there.
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You can’t avoid soap scum in your bathroom (unless you ban everyone from using soap and water – not advisable, especially with teenagers!). But here are 5 ways you can remove it using ingredients you may already have around your home.
Because of the small amount of soil in a pot compared to a garden bed, pot plants can sometimes dry out. Here's how to help them to survive hot weather.
Looking after your clothes is good for your bank balance and the environment, so here are 8 ways to make them last.
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You're never going to get rid of dust completely, but here are 7 ways to keep it under control in your home.
Every time you get a new pair of glasses, chances are you get a new case. So, what do you do with the old one? Here are nine nifty ideas.
Egg cartons are just as versatile as eggs and have many uses once they are empty - you just need a bit of imagination! Here are 7 ideas to get you started.
It's getting to that mozzie time of year again, so if you are bitten, here are 5 natural remedies to stop mosquito bites from itching.
Many steaks have been ruined on a summer's day barbeque! Here are 4 simple tips to turn you into a barbeque wizard.
Most of us have a range of dried herbs and spices in the pantry - but they are more versatile than you think. Here are 5 different uses.
If you've had a saucepan disaster and are left with a burned-on mess, don't despair! Try one of these clever tricks to bring it back to life.
It's time to unveil the BBQ and get it back to work. Here are 6 tips to keep it clean and in tip-top condition for summer.
Ever get to a crucial point in a recipe and discover you’ve run out of something? Or you can’t find an ingredient in the supermarket? Don’t panic, here are some things you can use instead.
Oil splatters are common when you're cooking, but when it gets onto your clothes, it can be difficult to remove. Don't panic, you can save your favourite shirt from the bin by trying one of these 3 tips to remove oil stains from fabric.
If you need a cake for a special occasion or a party but are a bit short of time, here are 7 fast and fabulous decorating tips. You could even use a ready make cake or try our simple Classic Victoria Sponge recipe.
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If your little budding artist has got carried away with the permanent markers around your home, don’t panic. We’ve found ways to remove it from 5 different surfaces.
There are so many benefits to making your own laundry liquid. All the ingredients are readily available at supermarkets; you are helping our environment by reducing packaging and you can recycle containers to store it in and there are no nasty chemicals in it.
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If you’re fed up of sleeping on mismatched sheets and pillowcases because you can never find the matching set; or forever seem to be frantically digging around in piles of fitted sheets, flat sheets and pillowcases to find a set for a single bed rather than a double, try this simple tip.
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Cleaning products are in high demand at the moment, but what’s already in your cupboards may do the job just as well. Vinegar, sodium bi-carb and lemon are common household ingredients and can keep your home clean and fresh. You will also save money in the bargain.
