Page 14 - News

Person pouring oil from a saucepan into a glass bowl of flour on a kitchen counter near a window.

Cornflour: the simple kitchen ingredient that stops cooking oil blocking drains

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

A simple cupboard ingredient can make all the difference. When cleaning the frying pan after frying schnitzel or deep-frying, most...

Minimalist living room with beige sofas, wooden slat walls and ceiling, a coffee table, and a potted plant by a large window.

Wood on the Ceiling: The Modern Comeback

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many people still remember the glossy orange timber boards on the ceiling that turned every living room into a rustic...

Person holding a bowl of coins beside an open washing machine in a laundry room with folded clothes.

How to Clean the Washing Machine Filter Properly

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Among the household appliances used most often each day, the washing machine is frequently overlooked when it comes to cleaning....

Person pouring coffee grounds into a white toilet bowl in a bright bathroom by a window.

Coffee Grounds in the Toilet: The Hidden Risks of This Viral Trend

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

The trend has side effects. Videos and household tips are increasingly appearing on social media that promote the same trick:...

Person standing beside wooden cabinet, dipping paintbrush into white paint can on floor with colour samples nearby.

Furniture You Should Never Paint

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many DIY enthusiasts reach for a paintbrush too quickly – and end up ruining the most interesting pieces in their...

Middle-aged woman enjoying a warm shower with natural light coming through a window in a modern bathroom.

How a Morning Shower Protects Grey Hair in the European Winter

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Facing the harsh European winter calls for significant changes to everyday habits. For many people, keeping a polished appearance becomes...

Man measuring outdoor air conditioning unit in garden with blueprints and multimeter on grass nearby

Heat pump location: why a garden installation can become expensive

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Replacing a heating system with a heat pump is widely seen as essential to the energy transition. Grants, modern technology...

Tabby cat sleeping on a cosy cushion above a radiator in a warm living room with person adjusting thermostat.

Kittykins radiator hanging seat for cats for under €5

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many cat owners will recognise the scene: the heating comes on and, instead of settling into its expensive cat bed,...

Hands holding a yellow and green sponge with water dripping over a kitchen sink and cookware in the background.

How to use the rough and soft sides of a washing-up sponge

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

When looking at a washing-up sponge, many people notice that it has a soft yellow side and a firmer, rougher...

Man painting a garden gate turquoise while another man holds a colour palette and clipboard outside a house.

Painting Your Garden Gate Can Become Very Expensive

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

A spur-of-the-moment paint job on your garden gate can, however, end up being very expensive. When spring arrives and people...

Person placing laundry into a beige hamper in a bright, tidy bathroom with folded towels on a shelf.

Lidl Livarno Home Door Laundry Bag: More Space in Small Bathrooms

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Living in a small flat comes with a familiar challenge: the bathroom soon feels overcrowded, the laundry basket gets in...

Person wearing yellow gloves scrubbing grout lines on light wooden floor with cleaning brush.

Clean Tile Grout With Citric Acid and Bicarbonate of Soda

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many people clean tiles and flooring regularly but overlook the narrow lines between them. Yet this is exactly where moisture,...

Woman in beige pyjamas fluffing a white pillow on a bed in a bright, softly lit bedroom.

How Often Should You Change Your Pillowcase for Better Health?

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Sleeping on clean fabric supports calmer nights and provides vital protection for facial skin. A pillowcase collects invisible substances overnight,...

Person stacking firewood on a bench near a burning wood stove in a cosy indoor setting.

Compressed Wood Briquettes: More Heat, Less Mess for Your Stove

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many households rely on a fireplace or wood-burning stove, yet find heavy logs, substantial mess and inconsistent heat output frustrating....

Person inspecting a plastic bottle near a box labelled "Recycled Plastics Import" in a warehouse with workers in high-visibil

EU Recycled Plastic Labels Face Stricter Border Checks

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Plastic labels have become central to a new European effort to enforce what “recycled” genuinely means, particularly for plastics moving...

Person placing a wet smartphone into a drying packet inside a glass bowl on a wooden table.

Silica Gel Packets: Clever Uses Around the Home

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Those unobtrusive little packets appear in nearly every new shoebox, as well as in packaging for electronics and food supplements....

Two women chatting over a front garden wall with a man standing outside a modern suburban house on a sunny day.

Japanese Security Model Shows What Makes Homes a Magnet for Burglars

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

The miniature looks innocent, almost like a toy. Two houses side by side, a little garden and a few fences....

Person loading delicate satin and lace fabric into a white front-loading washing machine in a bright laundry room.

Washing Machine Butterfly Symbol: What the Delicate Programme Means

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Have you ever stood in front of the washing machine control panel, trying to work out the meaning of the...

Woman painting a green wooden drawer in a sunlit living room with paint swatches and tools nearby.

How to Give Old Furniture a Modern New Look

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Many people face the same dilemma: an old family sideboard, a carved wardrobe unit or a solid chest of drawers...

Person pouring olive oil through a small strainer into a glass jar on a kitchen counter.

Never Pour Sardine Oil Down the Drain

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Opening a tin, taking out the sardines, tipping the oil quickly down the sink and rinsing with water: the scene...

Person applying cream on the back of their hand over a bathroom sink with skincare products nearby.

Five-Minute Hand Care Routine for Well-Cared-For Hands and Nails

Oliver Hartwell • September 23, 2026

Five minutes can be enough to improve the look of your hands when you follow the right order of care....