
Punteha van Terheyden
Punteha was the editor of Real Homes before joining Homes & Gardens as Head of Solved: The Hardworking Home. Since 2008, she has written and edited cooking, wellbeing, lifestyle, and consumer pieces for the international press, across print and digital newspapers and magazines, including a longstanding column with BBC Good Food, and features in the Daily Mail, Metro, Mirror, Take a Break, Bella, Closer, Woman’s Own, and more. She’s also a Sunday Times bestselling ghostwriter with Penguin, the founding editor of the independent real-life platform Lacuna Voices, and a journalism mentor who delivers guest lectures at universities.
Punteha is an experienced home cook, perfecting and streamlining the processes with which complex family recipes from Iran can be completed more easily and efficiently in a modern home with high-quality appliances and heirloom cookware and tools. She spends her free time at home with her husband, and daughter in the quiet of the tranquil countryside. She is disabled and suffers from chronic pain, so small, adaptively-paced tasks with her family that bring her joy, such as batch cooking, food prepping for the week ahead, and baking with her daughter, are her favorite kind. She has tested a multitude of the latest household technology and items for practical, real-world usage, including kitchen appliances, vacuums, bedding, and home fragrances, from key brands such as IKEA, Ninja, eufy, Ring, SwitchBot, Miele, Crock-Pot, Our Place, Neom, ScentAir, Brooklinen and more.
Latest articles by Punteha van Terheyden
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I Said Goodbye to the Outdated 66°F Heating Rule: Turning the Temperature Up Really Is Better for Your Home, Health, and the PlanetMy bills didn't go up, we've been so comfortable, and all the condensation has disappeared
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Tried the Upside-Down Decluttering Trick in My Messiest Kitchen Cabinet – It's the Simplest One I've Tried, But it Worked Shockingly WellPros say it’s great for neurodivergent minds
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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8 Psychology-Backed Tips to Calm Your Nervous System While Decluttering Successfully in 2026If stress, anxiety, or a sensation of panic gets in the way of organizing your home, our experts in psychology have tips to soothe and succeed
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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3 Easy Ways I Stopped My Living Room Looking Like A Mess on Christmas Day – Get Ahead of the Chaos and Reclaim Calm in MinutesA tiny bit of preparation goes such a long way in the chaos of Christmas morning
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Plumbing Pros Always Remove This 1 Item From Yards In Winter to Avoid Burst Pipes IndoorsIt takes seconds to detach your hose and could save you thousands in leak repairs
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I'm Hiding My Sink Mess from Christmas Guests with a 'Sophisticated’ $40 Roll-Up Japanese Drainer That's a Small-Space GemIt increases usable surfaces, is easy to store, and highly durable
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Sprinkled This Kitchen Ingredient on the Carpet Under My Christmas Tree – Cleaning Pros Say It’s a Game-Changer for a Quick Clean UpThis common, natural ingredient soaks up sap and saves carpets and rugs
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The Hardworking Home
This is where our specialist editors test and recommend the products that keep your home running smoothly. From the non-toxic coffee maker you rely on every morning to the cooling mattress you rest on every night, our team combines hands-on experience with expert consultation to help you make confident, informed buying decisions. We cover the appliances, tools, and technology that define an efficient home, and whether we're reviewing kitchen essentials and PFAS-free cookware or the latest home security and audio, every recommendation is grounded in reality. We test products in our own homes to assess performance, durability, and long-term value, looking far beyond simple first impressions. As we move into a new season, we are focusing on the art of the spring refresh, from deep-cleaning tools that actually deliver to clearing out toxic small appliances and replacing them with high-performing and safe alternatives. We provide the practical guidance you need to optimize your routines and help your home feel calm, capable, and considered every single day.
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Plumbers Say This Holiday Habit Ruins Garbage Disposals and Blocks Drains – Most Hosts Do It Without RealizingPlus, the planet-friendly fix
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Took a Chance on IKEA’s Cruelty-Free, Easy-Dry, Down-Alternative Duvet – I'm Shocked at Just How Good It Is for $29We've tested one at 10 times the price, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say IKEA's felt just as luxurious
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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We Keep Losing Hats and Gloves – This Hidden $14 Over-the-Door Storage Gem Will Keep Winter Gear In CheckNot having an allocated place to store winter essentials means money and time wasted
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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‘I Put This on the Drain Pipe, and It Hasn’t Frozen Since’ – Frost King’s $29 Cable Kit Will Save You From Burst Pipes This WinterAvoid the drama and headache of a sudden winter leak with ease
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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The 66°F Heating Standard Is Out: HVAC Pro Reveals the Optimal, Planet-Friendly Temperature Setting for Your HomeIt’ll save you money in the long run and provide 24/7 comfort
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Pros Agree My 5-Minute Morning Reset for Window Condensation Stops It Becoming a ‘Welcome Mat for Mold Spores’I do it every morning, and it really works
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Was Sick of Cold Front Door Drafts Making My Living Room Feel Arctic and Driving Up Energy Costs – A $4 Easy Amazon Fix Has Been A Game-ChangerIt's improved comfort, stopped drafts, and reduced my energy bills this winter
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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My Chic $71 Joseph Joseph Laundry Organizer Is So Useful, I’m Getting a Second for My Bedroom Whilst It’s on SaleIt's worth every cent and makes laundry day a breeze
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Forget a January Refresh, I Tried the ‘Houdini’ Hack in November for Successful Decluttering of Claustrophobic Winter MessChic $12 Scalloped Bins made the task easy, quick, and low-stress ahead of guests
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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This Alien-Looking But Incredible Neck Pain Pillow is the Only Design That Helps Me Comfortably Sleep on My Side – It’s On Sale for Just $39Grab a whopping 76% off at Amazon while the deal lasts
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Skip the Salt and Make Your Frozen Driveway Instantly Safe With This Cheap, Reusable, and Garden-Friendly Alternative For the ‘Freeze-Refreeze’ November Weather CycleNo brute force is needed for this instant safety trick
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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If Your Laundry Smells Like Damp, You Could Be ‘Overdosing’ It - Expert Reveals the Easy Fix to Freshen Winter LoadsLaundry overdosing traps moisture and smells
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Cleared My Blocked Bathroom Drain in Minutes With This 'Spot On' Easy 3-Ingredient Fix From My Kitchen – No Harsh Chemicals NecessaryIt's so quick, easy and won't cost you an extra cent
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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Walmart’s $10 Dish Rack Instantly Doubles Sink-Side Counter Space in Small Kitchens – Here’s Why I’m Picking It UpIt's perfect for the busy hosting season
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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‘Permission to Do the Easiest Stuff First’ – I tried Professional Organizer Dana White's No-Mess 5-Day Clutter Shakedown That Banishes OverwhelmIt’s a no-mess method that's great for those who struggle to focus or let go
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
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I Hate Seeing Ugly Plastic Storage Bins Under My Sofas Every Day, so I’m Switching to These Beautiful Hyacinth Ones InsteadThey’re gorgeous, on sale, and will continue giving us vital storage in our small home
By Punteha van Terheyden Published
