<![CDATA[ Latest from Ideal Home in House-manual ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 en <![CDATA[ Kitchen items you can no longer recycle when decluttering due to new bin rules in England – and what to do with them instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/kitchen-items-you-can-no-longer-declutter sB7LVPDXNnQuhF8t6f895d Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Waste experts reveal what to put in a compost bin vs a food waste bin – mistaking the two could cost you a healthy garden ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/differences-between-food-waste-bin-and-compost-bin 3V4H2Q63WQ8xC9zA8Yk52K Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I only washed my clothes on a 30° cycle for four weeks and this is how much I saved on my energy bills and my laundry is just as clean ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-used-30-degree-washing-machine-cycle-for-a-month sEwNRWNLvEUrabZHXHsMdD Sun, 26 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:05:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ Banish bad smells from your food waste bin with this simple cleaning trick – all you need is this 1 cupboard essential ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/how-to-stop-a-food-waste-bin-smelling 5nqRjA8Qx3S4ifUwvUbBAB Sun, 26 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested a new cordless vacuum from an under-the-radar brand in my chaotic family home – it's smart, sleek, and its edge cleaning is a game-changer ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/dreame-v20-pro-cordless-stick-vacuum-review 6RyMc3XXBw9NdsPta8fG99 Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 things renters need to know before the Renters Rights Act comes into effect on 1 May in England and Wales ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/owning-renting/things-renters-need-to-know-about-renters-rights-act X39isAUMtxyvmNkRSuL2xf Fri, 24 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This Vonhaus air circulator may be compact enough to easily fit on my bedside table, but it definitely packs a punch when it comes to power — it’s less than £50 too ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/vonhaus-air-circulator-cooling-fan-review C47W292LyqtTkdZVAtRvVL Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Peak tree pollen season has arrived in the UK – how to keep your home’s air quality levels stable amidst the Met Office’s warnings ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/tree-pollen-air-quality-tips iDXqNgzqCgWfurqRYn2MTA Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 scents ants hate, and how to use them to stop these pests plaguing your home and garden this summer ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/scents-ants-hate CLBpFzNqXbkvUqKwsvmdP9 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:48:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ How we test steam cleaners and mops at Ideal Home – the exact review process we follow and what we look for in a 5-star model ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/how-we-test-steam-cleaners-and-mops ydynBhcFNPY9SkT5ieLDHc Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels could soon be available — but should you buy a plug-in kit or would a rooftop installation be better? I asked the experts how the two systems differ ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/plug-in-solar-panels-vs-rooftop-solar-panels 9GAvydZnh5je5E7pReJD3Y Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ IKEA’s £5 food waste bin makes following new recycling rules easy and stylish – this odour-proof bin is also perfect for tiny spaces ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/ikea-farmarkvast-food-waste-bin DE5cWxNrxM7XSmGguXfHc Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ My sparkling floors always get so many compliments – these are the two appliances I have to thank for that (and which one I think is better) ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/steam-mop-vs-vacuum-mop VaEQMmACAH6NnQPH6yd8Sg Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Things you can no longer recycle when decluttering due to new bin rules in England – and what to do with them instead ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/things-you-can-no-longer-recycle-when-decluttering x4WsTFTTTrT2fXLGLeQrUb Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 15:15:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ Experts are warning homeowners to think before they spray when spring cleaning this month – your favourite houseplant could be paying the price ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/warning-not-to-use-cleaning-products-near-houseplants qW2BT5pkwEE2HSoDD3qTvg Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’m a storage-obsessed editor who hates how ugly storage baskets can be – these are the pretty-but-practical alternatives to add to your home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/collection/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/pretty-but-practical-storage-baskets-collection-2026 35S733U64bdMjh4vBmSZnk Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:56:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ Plug-in solar panels will soon be available in the UK — this is everything we know about how they work ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/what-are-plug-in-solar-panels qnjwQzWT24uAnRgY35MhGJ Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:22:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ Air purifiers can be confusing – but I tested a model that’s straightforward, easy to use and conveniently fits into your everyday life ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/levoit-vital-100s-smart-air-purifier-review Ni42swKX3DuZQVHugeY28h Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 counter-top kitchen appliances you should always unplug when not in use — I’ve been wasting so much money on my energy bills by leaving mine plugged in ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/counter-top-kitchen-appliances-to-unplug-after-use 5KpaxfWzD2XcBTAc9ZJZH6 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ IKEA's £4 space-saving bins will make following the new, simpler recycling rules in England easier – they're perfect for sorting waste in a tiny kitchen ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/ikea-troskning-bin Asz2z5wSKVuLbRsD5pzSCk Fri, 17 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Aldi is selling a clever mattress vacuum for under £25 that banishes allergens, mites and bacteria with zero chemicals ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/aldi-ambiano-mites-vacuum-cleaner VJcbZYpYZgL4HnFVrxd7jK Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Amazon launches a rival to Samsung's Frame TV – a first look at the stylish new TV you can hide in plain sight ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/smart-home/amazon-ember-artline-tv-launch FMCnbW2vFq5c7vQW9yLG9e Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:40:00 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:46:15 +0000 <![CDATA[ 79councils across England are exempt from new recycling rules up till 2043 – check if yours is one of them ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/councils-delaying-new-recycling-rules xYXszZuyRQJn6N7VgNcF7C Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I traded my usual dishwasher setting for this eco-friendly alternative– it’s saving me £35 a year and my dishes are just as clean as before ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-switched-to-an-eco-friendly-dishwasher-setting 7PpRJ68HBk6VFXaDJEene Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:00:28 +0000 <![CDATA[ Waste experts reveal how to deter flies from your food waste bin this summer – 3 easy fixes to make following new recycling rules a breeze ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/how-to-deter-flies-from-food-waste-bin sLVravnuxv9fcrWBtpjrUU Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ It took longer than average to get an offer on my house – these are the 6 selling mistakes I made that I definitely won’t be making again ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/owning-renting/mistakes-i-made-when-selling-my-house Lvzko9P7A97Y9pB7gNVN6c Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:27:57 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 things I decluttered before selling my house – how I made it look more desirable for viewings and pocketed an extra £500 (and counting) in the process ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/what-i-decluttered-before-putting-my-house-on-the-market cMs8v48KuYgX3cnXTnCgAf Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I suffer from decision fatigue, so I’m using the Doom Diamond decluttering method to clear clutter quickly and efficiently – it’s my go-to method for a spring reset ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/doom-diamond-decluttering-method szuPRj5PcomKaCmptxFEhm Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I've put off this quick and easy task in my home for more than a year and it's cost me up to £235 on wasted energy – don't make the same mistake I did! ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/235-pound-draught-proofing-mistake iL8nDyDHEhdYpnPTwpqAqn Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:02:02 +0000 <![CDATA[ I swapped using my dishwasher for handwashing my dishes for a month to avoid wasting energy, but I've got 4 reasons why it was harder to give up than I thought ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-stopped-using-my-dishwasher-for-a-month xUYNPgdcjoHMrRsf8zHRRP Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I rented a van to hide everyday clutter when selling our house – it's a simple staging trick that really paid off at viewings, saving us so much time and effort ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/owning-renting/rented-a-van-to-hide-clutter-and-sell-our-house h3GBny3M8vjLS7VVBob4aA Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:24:47 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested Dyson's newest (and most affordable) wet floor cleaner – the performance won me over, but there's a catch ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/dyson-pencilwash-wet-floor-cleaner-review sLYfNfwFAFf92dfLwLXyPE Sun, 12 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tried out this UK-designed smart dehumidifier – it dried my laundry in hours and tackled humidity in my home with ease ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/ebac-4850e-dehumidifier-review vmqM75WFYGs2ZQeTGyAMi4 Fri, 10 Apr 2026 11:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:38:21 +0000 <![CDATA[ Pro Breeze’s new hybrid fan has been helping to freshen up my home with its nifty scent pod, and I have high hopes that it’ll see me through a summer heatwave ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/pro-breeze-43in-hybrid-pedestal-fan-with-smart-app-review 8ZPwQ9iej3db8EUXD7ri6X Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I banished funky fridge smells using this handy £22 gadget – and it’ll keep eliminating odours for the next 10 years without needing refills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/vitesy-deo-odour-eliminator sitRKU7PGzvtZ7bWfsgYZZ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Councils may not take your food waste bin if you use the wrong liner – everything you need to know ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/food-waste-bin-simpler-recycling-rules g7iqw7WuNQj5J2DeCbTCs4 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:00:00 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:53:09 +0000 <![CDATA[ I spent £10,000 trying to add value to my house before putting it on the market – this is what was worth it, and what wasn’t ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/owning-renting/things-i-did-to-add-value-to-my-house xtZJCAqdHZy4CeVUeuUpqS Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:04:44 +0000 <![CDATA[ I tested a ‘smart’ carpet cleaner that leaves floors usable again in under half an hour – it’s lightweight, powerful and seriously convenient ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/tineco-carpet-one-cruiser-smart-carpet-cleaner-review 7JFia4s9U3gwjpwMGhHksj Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ I’ve been wasting energy through these 3 decor choices for years – and it turns out each one has been costing me up to £250 a year ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/energy-wasting-decor-mistakes EJjjVShsokJvXGt2id3ZMj Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:36:49 +0000 <![CDATA[ I switched to a smart kettle to avoid wasting energy six months ago, and this is how much I actually saved ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/i-switched-to-a-smart-kettle-to-avoid-energy-wastage yLhQnH2MTJnTyNpwSheuhV Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:33:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 messy things that guests always notice in your hallway – and the low price (but high impact) clutter busters that’ll hide them from nosy visitors ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/messy-things-that-guests-always-notice-in-your-hallway A7hzAViCRiJkXVMiqVhntc Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ This is what can go in your recycling and food waste bin under the new, simpler recycling rules that came into force this week in England ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/what-can-go-in-your-recycling-new-simpler-rules-2026 UURPAJhTZAjKidBRHLzD6k Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:22:05 +0000 <![CDATA[ It took me just two seconds to transform this wireless Duux fan from desktop to pedestal mode – it’s so light (and effective) I’m planning on taking it on holiday ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/duux-rize-fan-review QgxqM6bnVqucD7vAryNMKH Fri, 03 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:20:31 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 things that people with healthy air quality always have in their homes – clever (and affordable) ways to keep nasty pollutants out of the house ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/air-quality/things-that-people-with-healthy-air-quality-always-have N5E6tTPrKZrnnUWfyYbg5M Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Denise Welch slams London council for failing to collect her son’s bins – this is what you *actually* should do if your bin isn’t collected ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/cleaning/denise-welch-brent-council-bin-dispute 7rbYuYcDVpXATDuNZcVuEA Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:30:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Dunelm is selling a space-saving laundry basket that is perfect for small homes – this one clever feature sets it apart from the rest ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/laundry/dunelm-collapsible-wall-large-laundry-basket VxJuwS4vNBKYKDRSSLknxA Tue, 31 Mar 2026 11:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ Finally! Shark has released an auto-empty cordless vacuum cleaner suitable for smaller homes – and it’s a game-changer for pet owners ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/floorcare/shark-powerdetect-speed-clean-and-empty-pet-pro-ia3241ukt-review eaZmdnWqANoY5p5yi4b3iT Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000 <![CDATA[ 'Plug-in' solar panels could be available in shops and supermarkets within months as part of government push to cut energy bills ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/government-to-make-plug-in-solar-panels-available-uk 3uqxmQxHDtinjJhmKMoveY Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:00:00 +0000 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:26:23 +0000 <![CDATA[ 5 messy things that guests always notice in your bathroom – and the clever storage essentials you can use to hide them from nosy visitors ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/storage-organisation-decluttering/messy-things-that-guests-always-notice-in-your-bathroom WYjA2udWnYLdXp4pruNM9J Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000 Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:46:19 +0000 <![CDATA[ 3 things people with low energy bills always have — side-step potential price rises and avoid wasting energy by trying them in your own home ]]> https://www.idealhome.co.uk/house-manual/energy-saving/things-people-with-low-energy-bills-always-have KGLHJk2UuuyT3Us3WAdt9V Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000