
Lauren Bradbury
Lauren Bradbury started writing for Ideal Home's House Manual section back in 2023 as a freelance writer, writing about everything you need to make a house a home - from cleaning tips and DIY hacks to energy-saving guides and decluttering methods. After building up a wealth of information on the practical side of running a home, she joined the team permanently as Content Editor for House Manual in January 2025.
When she's not writing how-to guides and handy features, Lauren is constantly updating many of our home appliance buying guides and is now the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Vacuums, having spent over 110 hours testing different vacuum models - as well as the latest releases in the world of dehumidifiers, electric heaters, air purifiers, and more. In doing this, Lauren is able to assess everything a consumer may want to know about the essential household products that make life so much easier.
Before joining the Ideal Home team, Lauren graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She then dipped her toe into the world of content writing, primarily focusing on home content. After years of agency work, she decided to take the plunge and become a full-time freelancer for online publications, including Real Homes and Ideal Home. It was during this time that she also took an interest in transforming her bland Victorian terrace into a cosy home with the help of affordable DIYs and considered styling.
Ideal Home Truths
Where’s your happy place?
My happy place is sitting in my living room with my dog by my side. Myself and my husband have painted the walls around five times since we moved in, but we have finally settled on a sage green colour that has turned it into the cosy space I was really hoping for.
What’s your home addiction?
I just can’t get enough of candles and reed diffusers. Every room in my house smells different, which means I’m hit with a new smell everywhere I walk. For some reason, this just puts a smile on my face and really awakens my senses - especially when I’m working from home.
What is your next home project?
Since moving into my home in 2020, I’ve tried to avoid any major renovations, but my bathroom is in need of some serious TLC. Like many Victorian properties, the bathroom is on the ground floor and is extremely hard to ignore. So, I’m hoping to transform the old, white bathroom into a bright oasis that still acknowledges its Victorian roots.
Latest articles by Lauren Bradbury
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Things you’re forgetting to clean that are making your house STINK this Christmas – and yes, your tree is one of them!
Don't want your guests to smell horrible lingering odours? Read this
By Lauren Bradbury
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‘It creates a calm, inviting space where guests will feel welcome’ – the 3 things to declutter from a spare bedroom before Christmas
Hosting overnight guests this Christmas? Professional organisers want you to do this first
By Lauren Bradbury
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Pretty but practical Christmas gifts your friends and family will *actually* use – they’ll tackle clutter, rather than add it
Spoil your loved ones by NOT cluttering their homes
By Lauren Bradbury
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We’ve all been cleaning our ovens wrong – experts say this is the one spot we all miss (and it’s making it look filthy)
If scrubbing isn't cutting it, you need to read this
By Lauren Bradbury
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The Dyson PencilVac is here! I tried the ‘world’s slimmest vacuum’ before anyone else, and it’s ideal for grab-go-cleaning
Christmas has come early thanks to Dyson
By Lauren Bradbury
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Experts reveal how to *properly* clean laminate flooring – and how to keep it sparkling and scuff-free for years to come
Hint: You should definitely put your mop away
By Lauren Bradbury
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How to remove common Christmas stains from carpets and upholstery – quick hacks for tackling everything from chocolate to gravy stains
Keep your home stain-free this festive season
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m not letting shoe clutter mess up my home this Christmas – I’ve just bought a game-changing £17 storage solution to tidy up my hallway
It's ideal for hosting season
By Lauren Bradbury
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Don’t throw your rice water down the sink! This is why you should be using this ‘magic in a bottle’ to clean your home
No, it's not as bonkers as it sounds
By Lauren Bradbury
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I tested Roomba’s new flagship robot vacuum cleaner – it’s super stylish, and will leave your hard floors sparkling
While it has serious perks, it's not perfect
By Lauren Bradbury
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How to clean wooden floors – expert tips for daily maintenance and deep cleaning, to keep your floors sparkling
Make sure your wooden floors are given their time to shine
By Lauren Bradbury
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The 7 kitchen appliances to deep-clean before Christmas – experts say it’s key to a fuss-free festive period
A little preparation now will make Christmas cooking, hosting and cleaning far smoother
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m using the Reverse Advent decluttering method to sort out my home for Christmas – experts say one small task a day can make a huge difference
Get your home guest-ready with minimal effort
By Lauren Bradbury
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This electric mop is my best-kept secret – now I’m lifting the lid on how I keep my floors so clean during the winter months
My old-school mop and bucket just weren't cutting it
By Lauren Bradbury
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My vacuum (and its tools) are responsible for so much clutter in my home – but this is the game-changing storage solution I'm buying to put an end to it
It's perfect for homes with limited storage
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m a floorcare expert but secretly hate cleaning – this is the vacuum hack that’s sliced my cleaning time in half
It proves that two is always better than one
By Lauren Bradbury
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I never really understood the hype around robot vacuum cleaners – but these 6 models converted me to hands-free cleaning
I tested top models from Eufy, Shark, Hoover and more
By Lauren Bradbury
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Shark’s bestselling cordless vacuum has already sold out, but I’ve found a secret stash on Amazon for half price
It sells out every year, so don't miss out
By Lauren Bradbury
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Best steam cleaners and mops — my 6 tried and tested favourites that I’d recommend for whole-home cleaning
After reviewing, these are the best steam cleaners and mops I’d recommend for spotless floors, kitchens and bathrooms
By Lauren Bradbury
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Yep, your home probably stinks – experts reveal 3 top tips to cure nose blindness and make your home smell amazing
You might not notice it, but your guests will
By Lauren Bradbury
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It’s my job to test cleaning products – and these 12 under £12 impressed me the most this month
They've earned permanent spots in my cleaning caddy
By Lauren Bradbury
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I won’t gatekeep any longer! This is the game-changing cleaning appliance that gets me so many compliments from guests
And so many of them are on sale right now
By Lauren Bradbury
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Condensation is a huge problem in my damp Victorian home – I tried three ways to get rid of it, and this is the only one I'd use again
It's the only thing I'll trust to maintain condensation-free windows
By Lauren Bradbury
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I predict these two floorcare appliances will dominate in 2026 – but this is the one I’d personally choose to invest in
I predict they're both going to be bigger than ever in 2026
By Lauren Bradbury
