House manual
Our house manual guides cover every aspect of managing your home. We have advice for those buying, selling or renting. We can help you manage your bills, create a new cleaning regime or organise your rooms.
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House manual
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‘I’ve never been so ruthless!’ – This is how I used the 5-second decluttering rule to declutter my under-the-stairs cupboard
Now I've stopped second-guessing my decisions
By Lauren Bradbury
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Your recycling will end up in a landfill if you don’t complete this one important step, say waste experts
It's a little effort for a big difference
By Kezia Reynolds
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I’m a cleaning editor, and these are the 6 best upholstery cleaners I rate to refresh sofas, curtains and carpets
These are the cleaning and stain-removal staples I think everyone should have in their caddy
By Lauren Bradbury
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3 scents wasps hate to stop these buzzing pests from plaguing your garden and home
Wasps naturally avoid these scents
By Kezia Reynolds
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I'm buying three immediately – Shark has flipped the script on everything I thought I knew about air purifiers with its new colourful releases
The compact size makes it perfect for desks and small spaces, too
By Lauren Bradbury
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Experts say this dehumidifier 'cooling' hack could be backfiring on your energy bills and hiking them up
Using your dehumidifier on its own to help your home feel cooler might not be worth it...
By Jenny McFarlane
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I put this steam-powered spot cleaner to work on carpets, sofas and even the kids' mucky trainers — my busy family home has never been so clean
I didn't expect results this good
By Rebecca Lawton
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I reset my interior style with a declutter during my home renovation – now it finally reflects who I am at 40
My home renovation declutter helped me make this huge change to my interior style
By Jenny McFarlane
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Don't throw your old toothbrushes in the bin this summer – it’s the secret weapon to making your garden furniture glow
The cleaning tool you never knew you needed
By Kezia Reynolds
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Does an air purifier cool a room? The experts share what they can and can't do for those looking to beat the heat this summer
There is an alternative to consider, though
By Lauren Bradbury
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Experts reveal how long a vacuum cleaner should *actually* last – and the 4 things drastically reducing its lifespan
These are the things to keep an eye out for
By Lauren Bradbury
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It takes a lot to impress me as an expert vacuum tester – but Gtech’s one-and-only stick vacuum won me over
And it's a bargain at just £299
By Lauren Bradbury
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I tested three blind cleaning tools to see which one would *actually* leave my blinds dust-free – and no, it wasn’t a regular duster
Amazingly, my top pick is less than £5
By Lauren Bradbury
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This is how often you need to check your smoke alarm – or face voiding your home insurance policy
Don't neglect this vital task
By Kezia Reynolds
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I'll never paint a room without it – this genius tool doubles as a paint tin opener and brush, and makes decorating so much easier
This is now one of my painting essentials
By Layla Al-Ani
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I tested the best air purifiers against smoke, cooking smells and everyday allergens – these are the 6 I'd pick for a healthy home
The best air purifiers for improving indoor air quality, as tested by the Ideal Home team
By Lauren Bradbury
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‘People with tidy cupboards don’t own fewer things by accident’ – these are the 6 things you need to avoid to keep your kitchen cupboards clutter-free
People with tidy kitchen cupboards *never* do these things
By Lauren Bradbury
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‘I love it so much I’ve already bought another one!’ – Lakeland’s £10 mini countertop vacuum is a crumb-busting kitchen must-have
It's become my go-to cleaning tool
By Lauren Bradbury
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This quiet little dehumidifier and air purifier is the perfect addition to any small utility space – it tackled drying my laundry in a breeze
It's small but mighty and perfect for family homes
By Jenny McFarlane
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I tested Blueair’s ‘smallest smart air purifier’ for two weeks in my home — it’s a quiet powerhouse for cleaner air
For under £130, it’s a solid all-rounder
By Katie Sims
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Is AI the future of decluttering? Experts say it’s your new ‘highly efficient, completely neutral, decluttering consultant’
It makes the task much easier
By Kezia Reynolds
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8 things you should never paint in your home – keep your paintbrush away from these items to avoid regret
This is what you should do instead
By Holly Reaney
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Experts reveal the 8 security measures burglars hate the most – installing these will make them think twice
Think you're covering the basics? These experts' tips go one step further
By Rebecca Lawton
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Bicarbonate of soda is one of my favourite cleaning products, but these are the 5 things you should never clean with it
It’s a fantastic tool for cleaning, but it could cause damage if used in the wrong areas…
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m a lazy cleaner, but the best vacuum mops offer twice the clean with half the effort — and after testing, these are my top 3 picks
I'm a little obsessed with vacuum mops, and these three have won me over more than most
By Lauren Bradbury
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I’m a cleaning editor, and these are the best cleaning products that *actually* work – and the ones I use in my own home
This is exactly what you should have under your kitchen sink...
By Lauren Bradbury
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Experts advise UK households to unplug these appliances as thunderstorms are set to hit
If lightning is due to strike, protect these appliances just in case and here's why
By Jenny McFarlane

