Page 13 - News

Person kneeling on floor cleaning with spray bottle and blue cloth in a bright room with wooden furniture.

Porcelain Stoneware: How Clear Table Vinegar Restores Shine

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

A simple kitchen staple can restore its shine. Porcelain stoneware is considered hard-wearing, easy to maintain and well suited to...

Person straightening white bedsheets on a wooden bed in a sunlit bedroom with a window and bedside table.

How Often Should You Change Bed Linen?

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Bed linen should generally be changed once a week, particularly if the sheets are slept in every night. While you...

Hand adjusting thermostat set to 75°F in a warmly lit living room with a child reading on a sofa.

Heating: why turning the thermostat right down can raise your bills

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Yet this very instinct can push the bill upwards. When popping out to the shops or collecting the children, it...

Person standing on a ladder painting a green wall in a bright living room with a sofa and armchair.

Sage Green: The Quiet New Interior Colour for Stylish Homes in 2026

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

A soft yet confident shade is now moving into the spotlight – and noticeably transforming living spaces. For years, new-build...

Hands applying oil onto skin on a towel next to skincare products on a wooden countertop by a sink.

French Hydration Technique to Protect Hands from Detergent

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Washing up every day exposes your hands to harsh chemical agents, which can damage the area around the nails. Fortunately,...

Hands using a cordless drill with a rotary cutting attachment to cut a hole in a marked wall.

Wall Plugs That Really Hold: Professional Tricks for Difficult Walls

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

If you have ever drilled into an old property or crumbly plaster, you will know the problem. The good news...

Woman organising colourful towels in wicker basket inside bathroom cabinet beneath sink

Lidl washbasin base cabinet in Nordic design for under 33 euros

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Bathrooms can feel cluttered surprisingly quickly, even when there is hardly any dedicated space for towels, cosmetics and cleaning products....

Person in cosy clothing using a magnifying glass to inspect crumbs on a white bed sheet in a bright bedroom.

Why Does a Sheet Develop Bobbles After Winter?

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

After winter ends, many people find that their favourite sheet is covered in bobbles, feels rough to the touch and...

Woman adjusting a smart thermostat on a wall next to a sunlit window with a jar of coins and notebook on a desk.

Spring Heating: A Costly Mistake

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

A costly mistake. When the first mild days arrive, the answer can seem obvious: turn the heating off and save...

Hand pouring oil from a can into a glass jar on a kitchen countertop with sardine tins and lemon wedge nearby.

Why You Should Never Pour Sardine Oil Down the Drain

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

The small tin from the cupboard seems harmless: open the lid, remove the fish, pour the oil down the sink...

Person rinsing a green and yellow sponge under running water in a kitchen sink next to a glass of water on a plate.

How Dishwashing Sponges Release Microplastics and Why Water Use Matters

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Most people give little thought to the sponge beside the sink, yet new research indicates that it contributes more to...

Woman painting a living room wall terracotta red with a paint roller beside a grey sofa and window.

Room Contouring: Use Colour to Transform Your Home

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many homes across German-speaking countries share the same issue: the floor plan may work, yet the room simply does not...

Person pouring cornflour into frying pan with oil next to kitchen sink and box of Maizena cornflour on counter

Frying Oil: The Plumber's Cornflour Trick for Drains

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many households routinely pour used frying oil down the sink. A quick rinse with hot water follows, and it can...

Person making a bed with white sheets in a sunlit bedroom with a wicker laundry basket nearby

How Often Should You Change Bed Sheets for Better Bedroom Hygiene?

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Keeping the bedroom hygienic is essential for a genuinely healthy, restorative night’s sleep. Yet many people overlook how often their...

Person wearing gloves grinding a metal pipe with an angle grinder, sparks flying in a workshop.

Lidl Black Friday: Parkside PWSA 20-Li D4 cordless angle grinder for £44.99

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Lidl is using Black Friday to tackle a familiar issue for many DIY enthusiasts: powerful tools often cost considerably more...

Person filling a metal kettle with water from a modern red kitchen tap on a bright countertop near coffee brewing tools.

Why You Should Never Use Hot Tap Water for Coffee

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Turning the tap seems harmless: select “hot”, fill the kettle quickly, brew the coffee – done. What many people do...

Man peeling off silver reflective insulation film from wall in a bright room with window light.

Damp Walls: Test Moisture with Aluminium Foil

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Damp walls are frustrating, smell unpleasant and can ruin wallpaper, furniture and, in the worst cases, even the fabric of...

Person wearing yellow gloves cleaning a kitchen sink with a blue cloth and soda crystals nearby.

Soda crystals: uses, differences and safety precautions

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Soda crystals, also called light soda ash, sodium carbonate or washing soda, are a traditional cleaning product that has been...

Couple sitting on sofa checking phone with solar water heater and air conditioning unit visible on sunlit balcony.

Sand heating from China: solar power, heat pumps and a floor that stores heat

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

As gas and oil prices fluctuate and pressure to meet climate targets intensifies, engineers around the world are looking for...

Person removing pet hair from folded clothes using a lint roller sheet in a laundry room.

Wet Wipes: The Simple Trick for Black Clothes Without Lint

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Keeping dark clothes entirely free from unwanted hair is a constant household challenge. Fortunately, a simple trick involving wet wipes...

Person wearing a straw hat gardening and trimming shrubs in front of a house with a pink wall and black door.

Burglary prevention with four thorny plants for your garden

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many people immediately think of an alarm system, cameras and a security door when considering burglary prevention. That is understandable....