With fall underway and the holidays just around the corner, hosting season will soon be in full swing. And with all that entertaining comes plenty of cooking, making now the perfect time to ensure your oven is clean and ready for the months ahead.

Scrubbing can only do so much to remove stuck-on, built-up grease, though. In these instances, you'll likely need something a little stronger − and chances are you already have just what you need waiting in your kitchen.

Here, cleaning experts share how to use a dishwasher tablet to clean an oven, and exactly why it works.

As Alex Varela, Cleaning Expert at Oakville Maids, explains, using a dishwasher tablet, available at Walmart, is an effective oven-cleaning hack because they are specifically designed to remove grease, react very well with hot water, and don't generate much foam.

'This is helpful in a compact space like an oven where you want to see where you're scrubbing,' he explains. 'Their size is appropriate to clean a standard-size oven, and they’re full of enzymes, alkaline detergents, and surfactants to break down the grease and food crumbs in your oven. They also work to clean your oven trays.'

Importantly, Karina Toner, Cleaning Expert and Operations Manager at Spekless, says the key is to keep the tablet slightly damp, 'so it can work as a mild scrubber rather than simply rubbing a dry tablet over the oven.'

'When the tablet is dampened, it can act as a mild abrasive while its cleaning ingredients help loosen the greasy buildup, making it easier to wipe away,' she advises.

How to Use a Dishwasher Tablet to Clean a Greasy Oven

To tackle your greasy oven by cleaning with a dishwasher tablet, begin by making sure it's completely cool before removing the racks and any loose crumbs or debris first. You can use a handheld vacuum for this, such as the TRAKAR Handheld Vacuum, available at Walmart. Then, wearing gloves:

• 'Dampen a dishwasher tablet with warm water,' says Karina. 'You want it wet enough to soften slightly, but not falling apart.
• 'Gently rub the tablet over greasy areas using small circular motions. Focus on the bottom and sides of the oven where grease tends to accumulate.'
• Let the solution sit for 10 to 15 minutes. 'This gives the cleaning ingredients time to loosen stubborn residue,' adds Karina. 'Don't allow the surface to completely dry.'
• Once 10 to 15 minutes have passed, wipe everything away with a damp microfiber cloth, available at Walmart, or a sponge, rinsing frequently under clean running water.
• Then, use a clean, wet microfiber cloth to remove any remaining detergent residue.
• Dry the oven with a clean towel and let air-dry completely before using it again.

You can also use dishwasher tablets to clean your oven racks.

'Fill your sink with hot water until it covers the trays, place the trays with a dishwasher tablet, and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes,' says Alex. 'Scrub with a non-scratch sponge and rinse with running water under the sink. Dry and place them back in the oven.'

Importantly though, whether cleaning your oven or your racks, if something is really baked on, don't keep scrubbing harder and harder. Instead, 'I'd give it another round and let the tablet do some of the work,' recommends Enrique Gonzalez, Founder of Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy. This will prevent any scratching or damage.

The Drawbacks to Keep In Mind

The biggest drawback to keep in mind when trying this clever way to tackle one of the hardest household cleaning tasks is that dishwasher tablets are very concentrated and, obviously, aren't designed specifically for oven interiors. Therefore, warns Karina, 'They shouldn't be treated as a universal oven cleaner.'

They may also leave residue if not rinsed properly. 'This leftover can remain on the surface and produce an unpleasant smell or smoke when the oven heats up again,' says Rhonda Wilson, Quality Lead Cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning.

Finally, Alex adds, there is a risk of slightly scratching your oven, and this method may not be as effective as using a commercial solution when cleaning a particularly greasy oven.

'In this case, I suggest sticking to what we know works and using a fume-free oven cleaner,' he advises, such as the Easy Off Fume Free Oven Cleaner, available at Amazon.

To prevent damage, always avoid using this method on heating elements, exposed electrical components, self-cleaning oven interiors, or surfaces where the manufacturer's care instructions prohibit abrasive or alkaline cleaners.

'Always check the oven manufacturer's recommendations first and test an inconspicuous area if you're unsure,' concludes Karina.

What to Shop

From oven cleaners people swear by to cleaning accessories to make the job easier, shop a selection of six handpicked essentials below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'If the oven has a thick layer of hardened grease, don't try to remove everything in one aggressive pass,' says Karina. 'A short soak with a suitable oven cleaner or a few rounds of gentle cleaning is safer for the finish and usually produces a better result than excessive scrubbing.'

If you'd prefer to clean an oven without chemicals, try vinegar or baking soda instead.

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As the seasons turn and the weather worsens, drying laundry in the great outdoors will soon be put on hold until next spring. Bringing it inside, though, can all too often result in an eyesore − standard laundry racks certainly aren't celebrated for their style.

Fortunately, there are alternatives that will look at home in even the most chic of spaces. From laundry maids to wall-mounted racks, doing laundry needn't disrupt the look and feel of your home.

Here, laundry experts share five elegant options that seamlessly integrate into your space.

1. Laundry Maids

Laundry maids are one of the very best ways to dry clothes in a small space − and one of the most stylish.

'Laundry maids are a great option because they take the drying space off the floor,' says Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert and Founder and CEO of Juliette.

'Instead of having clothes hanging at eye level or a rack taking up valuable floor space, everything is up and out of the way. When you’re not using it, you can raise it up, so the room still feels open.'

When shopping for this rustic laundry room accessory, Rechelle recommends focusing on the pulley system and how easy it is to raise and lower.

'You don’t want something that feels like a workout every time you use it,' she explains. 'I’d also look at the weight capacity, the quality of the rods, and how securely it mounts to the ceiling.' For example, this Ceiling Laundry Drying Rack, available at Amazon, is a well-rated option. You don't have to limit laundry maids to your laundry room, either. They will also work well (and look tasteful) above staircases and in hallways.

'Unlike many other laundry drying alternatives, this method brings a sense of craft, texture, and interest to the space,' adds Courtney Klinger, Interior Designer and Founder of Studio Whitford.

'Laundry maids are typically made of wood, metal, and rope and are mounted to the ceiling, with access through a pulley system. The upper mounting hardware draws the eye up while the structure feels more like an architectural accent than a utilitarian necessity. When not in use, the laundry maid can be adorned with beautiful linens that suit the room.'

2. Laundry Ladders

Laundry ladders are another stylish option for drying clothes inside in winter.

'Ladder-style racks that lean against the wall are not only effective at drying, but they look decorative with laundry draped from the rungs,' says Stacee Parker, Laundry Expert at Poplin. 'They are well-suited for the bedroom, bathroom, or other smaller spaces.

'Ladder-style drying racks usually come in wood or metal. Both work well, but wood has a nice aesthetic, and it won't rust.'

This Tall Wood Ladder, available at Wayfair, arrives fully assembled and is crafted from 100 per cent fir wood.

3. Pull-Out Drying Racks

'What I like about pull-out racks is that they can completely disappear when you’re done using them,' says Rechelle. 'You’re not looking at a bulky drying rack sitting in the middle of the room all day. They feel more built-in and intentional, which makes the whole space look cleaner.

'I would look for a strong rack with a smooth-operating pull-out mechanism and enough space for the quantity of laundry that I typically air-dry. I would also check the weight capacity of the rack. Wet clothes weigh significantly more than dry clothes, so I would need a rack that could hold a full load without bending or wobbling.'

If a built-in option isn't a possibility in your own utility room, the Joseph Joseph Eclipse Airer, available at Amazon, offers a temporary alternative that looks good enough to leave up when guests come over. It's also an ideal discreet laundry rack for shared dorms.

4. Over-the-Door Drying Racks

If space allows, over-the-door drying racks keep laundry up and off the ground, though they often don't look as stylish as other alternatives. For that reason, it's best to put them behind your laundry room door and out of sight.

'These are best in stainless steel, as they are more durable; they resist sagging and won't rust,' says Stacee. The Brabantia Over The Door Hanging Clothes Drying Rack, available at Wayfair, offers an affordable option.

'Doors can be high-traffic areas, so having a sturdy rack that won't collapse when opening or closing the door is key,' she adds.

5. Wall-Mounted Drying Racks

Finally, 'Wall-mounted racks are visually appealing because they keep everything contained against the wall,' recommends Rechelle. 'When they’re folded up, they have a much smaller footprint than a traditional drying rack. In a smaller apartment especially, that can make the room feel less cluttered and more intentional.'

When shopping for a wall-mounted option, like this Wall Mounted Clothes Drying Rack, available at Amazon, pay close attention to the mounting hardware and weight capacity, advises Rechelle.

'You want something that can hold wet clothes without pulling away from the wall,' she adds. 'I’d also look for rust-resistant materials, especially if it’s going in a bathroom or another humid space, and a design that folds relatively flat when you’re not using it.'

What to Shop

If you're looking to replace your laundry rack this fall, I've rounded up six of the best alternatives to shop below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

This 30-minute laundry rule makes winter laundry more manageable.

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Fall has officially begun, and temperatures will soon begin to drop across the country. It's likely you haven't turned on your heating just yet, but before you do, there's one simple task to do this September that HVAC experts suggest ticking off.

While it will take just a few minutes and requires only a humble hairdryer, it's an easy way to ensure your radiators heat up faster when you need them in fall and winter.

Here, experts explain exactly how to do it, and why it works to make heating more efficient in your own home.

How to Heat Rooms Quicker This Fall

As mentioned, this simple tip requires only a hairdryer, such as the Revlon Compact Hair Dryer, available at Walmart, and involves using it to blow away built-up dust and debris that's settled on radiators over the spring and summer months.

'Use the cool air setting, work from the top down, hold the hairdryer a few inches away from the radiator, and try to angle it downward through the top grille or between the fins,' advises Bob Caldwell, Owner of Cardwell HVAC. This makes cleaning behind radiators easier than ever, and means you can simply use your best vacuum to clean beneath them once finished.

Just be careful you don't hold the hairdryer too close, warns Bob. 'It can push dust deeper into the radiator rather than blow it out toward the floor,' he explains.

Much like the way that moving furniture away makes radiators heat up faster, this trick ultimately works by improving air circulation.

'It helps the radiator heat up the rooms a little bit faster because there's no layer of dust that can sometimes act as insulation and reduce heat transfer,' says Bob. 'A hairdryer helps where a regular vacuum, even with a brush or crevice attachment, can’t reach. It simply blows away all loose dust sitting between narrow fins and in tight gaps.

'A vacuum sucks up the dust, but a hairdryer pushes air through the radiator, which allows you to remove even the dust sitting deep between the fins, behind internal panels, and in narrow gaps away from the surface.'

Then, for any residual dust, use a tool for perfectly dust-free radiators, such as a Scrub Daddy Damp Duster, available at Amazon.

This simple way to tackle this germ hot-spot to clean before turning the heating on takes just a few minutes, but you'll reap the rewards all fall and winter long.

What to Shop

From radiator cleaning essentials to the best space heaters, these cold-weather buys are guaranteed to keep a home warm all day.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

This quick fix for slow-heating radiators instantly solves cold spots.

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Fall is the time for relaxed candlelit meals around the dinner table with friends and family, but dirty glassware can quickly spoil the mood. This can usually be avoided with a dishwasher, but what if, like me, you don't have one? I've always just relied on a dish brush − until I spotted the Joseph Joseph Brush-Up Glass Brush on Amazon.

Cleverly suctioning onto the bottom of the sink, it makes cleaning wine glasses properly, without scratches, smudges, or breaking, easier than ever.

At just $15.99, it's an affordable little addition to your kitchen that can help keep your glassware sparkling and your tablescapes looking their best throughout the hosting season – without the worry of cloudy glasses ruining the mood.

Growing up without a dishwasher may have made me something of an expert at washing dishes, but removing the cloudiness from drinking glasses is another story. I know the usual tricks: fresh, hot water, plenty of dish soap, and a careful polish with a kitchen towel, available at Walmart, to banish water spots – a habit I picked up while working in a restaurant.

The real problem is using the same brush on delicate glassware that I use for scrubbing pots, pans, and plates. Even when I'm careful, it feels like an unnecessary risk when I'm trying to keep wine glasses looking their best. That's why I'm picking up the Joseph Joseph Brush-Up Glass Brush, available on Amazon ahead of hosting season. I love putting together seasonal menus and welcoming friends and family, but I don't want lackluster glassware stealing attention from the table.

The brush has a curved design and durable bristles that make it easy to clean the inside and outside of glasses, while a strong suction base keeps it firmly anchored to the bottom of the sink. An easy-release tab makes it simple to lift away when you're finished, and it's suitable for glassware and crockery up to 5.5 inches tall.

That secure suction also helps prevent the brush from shifting or slipping as you scrub, giving you much more control and making those heart-stopping moments with delicate glassware far less likely.

'Another quality Joseph Joseph product,' says one shopper in a five-star review. 'I have multiple Joseph Joseph products, and this one doesn't disappoint. I like their innovative designs and build quality. 'I usually use this as a handheld brush rather than stand it up with the suction cup in the sink. Either way works great. [I store it] standing up on the suction cup.'

Another reviewer, Paula, agrees: 'This is a wonderful product. It is easy to use, and glasses sparkle after use.'

To get the best results, I'd also pair it with a dedicated glassware dish soap. The enzyme-based Method Super Shine Liquid Dish Soap, available at Walmart, is designed to cut through grease while leaving glassware with a sparkling finish.

With my new brush on the way, I'm already looking to expand my glassware collection to complement all my fall table decor ideas. Just make sure you know how to store glassware properly, because a chipped glass can be just as disappointing – if not more so – than a cloudy one.

What to Shop

Below, shop a selection of essentials for sparkling glassware and other Joseph Joseph kitchen favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

It’s worth taking a little time to organize your glassware before the holiday hosting season gets into full swing, so everything you need is clean, polished, and easy to reach when guests arrive.

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We spend around eight hours a night with our pillows, seven nights a week, so it’s hardly surprising that they can start to show the signs of everyday use. Over time, a buildup of sweat, body oils, moisture, and skincare products can leave once-bright pillowcases looking stubbornly yellow.

But there’s no need to reach for harsh chemicals just yet. A simple, all-natural soak using two pantry staples could be all you need to bring yellowed pillowcases back to their bright, fresh-looking best. It’s an easy way to clean pillowcases and tackle stubborn discoloration at the same time.

And the best part? You probably already have both ingredients at home. Here, laundry and sleep experts explain why pillowcases turn yellow in the first place, and how to restore them with this surprisingly simple method.

What Causes Yellow Staining on Pillows?

As Rechelle Balanzat, Founder and CEO of Juliette, an NYC-based premium laundry service, assures, 'Yellow staining on pillowcases is really common.'

While you sleep, your pillowcase absorbs sweat, body oils, saliva, and traces of the hair and skincare products applied before bed. 'Over time, all of that builds up in the fabric and can leave behind that yellow color,' she explains.

Given that pillowcases and pillows are often among the things we’re not washing enough, it’s little wonder that yellowing can seem almost inevitable.

'While pillowcases provide a protective barrier, these substances can still gradually transfer through the fabric and affect the pillow over time,' adds Drew Miller, Vice President at Sit 'n Sleep. 'For sleepers, this is also a reminder that pillows require regular care and replacement. Even with proper cleaning, pillows naturally collect oils, allergens, and moisture throughout their lifespan.'

How to Whiten Pillowcases

Whitening your pillowcases and other bedding can be as simple as reaching for two hardworking pantry staples: vinegar and baking soda. For this method, I’d recommend this affordable White Vinegar, available at Amazon, and ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, available at Walmart.

'Baking soda and white vinegar are commonly used household cleaning ingredients that can help refresh bedding materials,' explains Drew Miller. 'Baking soda can help absorb odors and loosen some residue, while vinegar can help break down certain types of buildup and mineral deposits.'

There’s an important catch, though: these ingredients work best separately, not together. 'When you mix the two, they basically cancel each other out, so the fizz isn’t really what’s cleaning your pillowcase,' advises Rechelle.

For a washable cotton pillowcase, she recommends soaking it in warm or hot water with around half a cup of baking soda for approximately 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then wash as normal with your usual detergent. If the care label allows it, you can add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle.

'I wouldn’t pour the vinegar directly into the baking soda soak,' Rechelle cautions. Instead, using vinegar in laundry can help brighten and deodorize fabrics.

'And don’t put it straight into the dryer if you can still see the stain,' she adds. 'Heat can make stains harder to get out. I always recommend checking the care label first,' particularly when dealing with delicate fabrics. As Drew highlights, always make sure your pillowcases are completely dry before putting them back on the bed.

For a gentle, low-energy option, air-dry them on a Clothes Drying Rack, available at Amazon. Thorough drying helps prevent moisture buildup, which can contribute to mold, mildew, and further yellow staining. 'The best thing you can do is stay ahead of the buildup,' concludes Rechelle. 'Wash your pillowcases regularly and consider using a pillow protector. Once those oils sit in the fabric for a long time, they become much harder to remove.'

What to Shop

Below, shop pillow whitening essentials, Sleep Editor-approved bedding favorites, and pillow protectors to keep yours looking their best for longer.

It's equally important to regularly wash, dry, and care for your bed linen.

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Every home needs an ironing board, but not every home has space for one. Even with legs that fold flat, ironing boards can still be tall and cumbersome to store, while a clothes steamer can’t always smooth wrinkles from every garment.

Instead, the Joseph Joseph Tabletop Ironing Board, available at Amazon, is specifically designed with small spaces in mind. It's compact, foldable, and easy to store, yet there's still ample space to efficiently iron and keep your items looking their best.

It's the simplest, smallest addition to any home or small laundry room where you've been struggling to iron without an ironing board (or the space to house one).

Whether you are living in a small rented home or need to maximize space in a small laundry room, you can't get around the fact that an ironing board is a laundry essential. For compact spaces, or if you just don't want a large ironing board causing a visual eyesore in your home, this folding ironing board and organizer is ideal.

Rather than having to balance a big board against the wall or upright in a closet, with the iron squashed in haphazardly somewhere nearby, this hanging solution keeps them both together, compact and accessible, while making use of vertical storage to save space.

Then, when it's time to iron your clothes, which is undoubtedly one of the things people who are good at laundry always do, all you need to do is take it off the wall, fold it out on a table or countertop, and tackle your ironing. Despite the small size, the board provides plenty of space (35.4 x 13 inches) for effortlessly ironing shirts, trousers, dresses, and more.

With a 4.6-star rating across over 2,600 reviews, this indoor laundry accessory is impressively popular with shoppers.

'Compact, lightweight, and easy to use,' says Robert. 'This ironing board is super slick! It’s about 20 inches shorter than a full-size board.

'For those who want a compact and lightweight ironing board, this is it! [It] folds up neatly, has a bungee clip that keeps it secure once folded, and even has a little compartment that will easily hold a full-size iron.

'Easily slides under our bed when we want to hide it. Sets up in seconds and feels super high quality. If you’ve ever opened up one of those old school ironing boards and heard that metal grating sound, rest assured there is none of that here!'

Another five-star reviewer, Jen, adds, 'It makes me WANT to iron! My built-in board is actually blocked by a more useful shelving unit in the laundry room, and it has taken me years to finally buy another. I was actually shocked by the price for an ironing board, and the size of a traditional style just turns me off when I think about storing it and having to lug it around for setting up.

'This little unit is PERFECT! It’s lightweight but extremely well made and sturdy. I love that it requires very little space to store and can easily be popped up just about anywhere, at any height my heart desires. I appreciate the spot to place the iron onboard as well. The cover is nice and thick, too.'

With this little board, ironing in small spaces and keeping a laundry room organized is easier than ever.

What to Shop

Below, shop more Joseph Joseph laundry essentials, along with a few other compact favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you're in need of more Joseph Joseph inspiration and recommendations, this Joseph Joseph AirFrame rack is perfect for winter laundry.

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Without a tumble dryer at home, I rely on clothespins to hang my laundry on my clothesline to air-dry. This may seem inconvenient, but I prefer the fresh scent that this slower process offers. What I don't appreciate, though, is how often my pins end up broken or lost on the journey from my washing machine to my yard and back.

That's why, when I spotted the Joseph Joseph PegStore, available at Amazon, I knew I had to invest. Complete with 30 pins and a handy storage stand to conveniently keep them all in one place, it's the useful laundry day addition I never knew I needed.

Now, doing laundry is easier than ever.

The benefits of air-drying laundry can't be disputed. It's more eco-friendly, gentler on fabrics, andcosts absolutely nothing to do. That is, unless you have to keep replacing lost or broken pins.

Introducing the Joseph Joseph PegStore, available at Amazon − a simple solution to make organizing a laundry room and hanging out washing easier than ever. It's undoubtedly one of the things organized people have in their laundry rooms, and for good reason.

With a compact size and handy hanging hook, this sturdy stand comes with 30 pins, each of which features ridged teeth for a secure grip on clothes. They, along with the stand, are also durable and UV-resistant, so are built to withstand heavy use, both indoors and outside, throughout all four seasons.

If working towards a more sustainable home is top of your priority list, both the stand and the pins are made with at least 70 per cent post-consumer recycled plastic, too. And, as they're built to last, you should also find yourself replacing them far less often than more affordable alternatives.

Shopper May, alongside a five-star rating, assures they're 'Great quality.' 'I was finally able to purchase the product and didn't regret it,' they explain. 'It is not only pretty but also has great quality; the pins are sturdy, [and] the holder is a great idea to have the pins in one place if not used. I really love the brand, did not disappoint with this product.'

Another, Nathan, even goes so far as to say the Joseph Joseph PegStore adds 'joy to laundry.'

'My overall experience with Joseph Joseph products has been beautiful and efficient design, so I was expecting exactly that from this product, and these delivered,' they share. 'I love that they come with an storage organizer that hangs from the line for easy access. They feel durable with a solid spring and texture and ergonomics that inspire use.

'While this product doesn't have me falling in love with the chore of laundry, it adds ease and even joy to hanging clothes to dry. My other wood and plastic pin options were far cheaper than this $25 option; however, this is a product I would actually consider buying again if it went missing... it adds that much value to an otherwise humdrum task.'

And, if you're already looking to get organized for Christmas, with gifting season just around the corner, John adds that the 'compact and convenient laundry solution' would 'make a good stocking stuffer [for] the organized person in your life.' Inspired and useful.

More to Shop

Below, shop from my handpicked selection of alternative Joseph Joseph favorites and useful laundry accessories.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Cleaning pros swear by these secret laundry ingredients for fresh and soft results every time.

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If there's one area of your home that deserves more attention, it's your entryway. This space sees more footfall than any other, with you, your family, and guests coming and going year-round. With this constant stream of people comes an accompanying flow of dirt, dust, debris, and moisture.

This only gets worse in the fall and winter, but cleaning daily can be overkill. In between more thorough cleans, there is one affordable home hero that cleaning experts suggest spraying around your front door and entryway: vinegar.

Ahead, cleaning experts explain why a quick spritz of this household staple is one of the things people with clean entryways always do.

As Karina Toner, Cleaning Expert and Operations Manager at Spekless, explains, 'Shoes track in dirt, people touch the front door and handles constantly, and outdoor odors, dust, and moisture all tend to collect right around the entrance. A diluted vinegar spray can be a useful little trick for keeping that area fresh between more thorough cleanings.'

Of course, vinegar is by no means a replacement for a full-on disinfectant, but cleaning with vinegar is a tried-and-true, all-natural and non-toxic alternative. 'Its acidity can help break down grime and cut through lingering odors rather than simply covering them up with fragrance,' she adds.

Spraying vinegar on the front door is also an effective hack to remove ants and other pests. 'Ants are repelled by it,' explains Ashley Torres, Cleaning Expert and Team Leader at Karen's Green Maids. 'Ants travel long distances based on chemical trails. When you use vinegar to wipe down the entranceway, you’re removing the chemical trail they’ve been using to find their next food source.'

'Since you’re removing their ability to track their next meal, they’ll go searching elsewhere. Spraying vinegar on your doors and entryways keeps them constantly searching for their next food source; however, it doesn’t eliminate them. Therefore, you will need to repeat this process weekly or biweekly.'

Keep in mind, also, that this natural pest control method is a deterrent, not a cure. If you're dealing with a significant pest problem, as with any, it's best to call pest control instead.

How to Apply Vinegar to Your Front Door and Home Entrance

To freshen your entryway, Karina advises mixing white vinegar, available at Walmart for under $3, with water, and adjusting the vinegar-to-water ratio depending on the cleaning task at hand.

'For a reliable everyday spray, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a reusable spray bottle,' she says, adding, 'I prefer a reusable glass bottle because vinegar is acidic and glass holds up well over repeated use.' For this, we recommend the Vivaplex Amber Glass Spray Bottles, also available at Walmart. 'For lighter cleaning or for sensitive surfaces where you might be concerned about a lingering vinegar smell, you can dilute it further and go with one part vinegar to two parts water.

'Give the bottle a quick shake before spraying, then mist the solution onto a microfiber cloth rather than soaking the front door itself. Wipe the door, handle, and nearby hard surfaces, then allow them to dry.

'Misting onto the microfiber cloth instead of directly on the door gives you much better control and prevents liquid from running into seams, hardware, or areas where you don’t want moisture sitting.'

That being said, so long as you're careful, you can also spray this solution (from a distance) directly onto your doorsteps, doorframe, and around the entryway.

'I’d also give the door frame, nearby baseboards, light switches, and the wall area around the entrance a quick wipe, since these spots collect plenty of fingerprints, dust, and grime from people coming and going,' adds Karina. 'If you have a console table, bench, or other hard surfaces in the entryway, those can get the same treatment as long as the surface or material is vinegar-safe.

'Then there’s the part of the entryway that takes the biggest beating: the floor. You can use a more diluted vinegar solution on some hard flooring, but the material matters here, so always check the manufacturer’s recommendations first. I’d also wipe down shoe trays and the area underneath them regularly, since they’re often catching water, salt, mud, and whatever else gets tracked inside.'

There's just one important caveat to cleaning your entryway with vinegar − don't just reach for it blindly to apply on every surface, and always test it on small, inconspicuous spots first.

'Do not apply vinegar to marble or unsealed wood flooring as it will cause discoloration that cannot be reversed,' warns Ashley. 'Test a small section of paint near the bottom of your door to see if it affects the finish before applying vinegar to the entire door. Lastly, do not mix vinegar with bleach as it creates toxic fumes that are difficult to ventilate effectively in small spaces such as entryways.'

What to Shop

If you'd like to try your hand at this all-natural way to get rid of musty smells in your entryway, you can shop the essentials, along with other recommendations, below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'The nice thing about this routine is that it doesn’t have to become another big cleaning project,' adds Karina. 'A quick wipe of key points in the entryway every week or two can help keep the spot looking great, particularly during muddy or rainy seasons.'

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We've all heard of dryer balls, often touted as the best way to speed up tumble-dryer timings, reduce wrinkles, and soften fabrics. But what if there was an even cheaper alternative?

The answer likely already lies in your kitchen cabinets. Laundry experts explain that scrunched balls of aluminum foil make for an affordable, effective substitute in a pinch and work particularly well to reduce static cling.

Here, the pros share exactly why, and how to try this laundry hack in your own home.

If you're clued up on why you should be using dryer balls, you'll know why they're a crucial indoor laundry accessory. Importantly (and admittedly), aluminum balls won't work in the same way, but they are an impressively budget-friendly way to reduce static cling when doing laundry.

'The main thing aluminum foil balls can do is help reduce static,' explains Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert and Founder and CEO of Juliette, an NYC-based premium laundry service. 'As your clothes tumble and rub together, they create static, and the foil helps discharge some of that electricity. It can help with that annoying cling you sometimes get when clothes come out of the dryer. It’s a simple, inexpensive alternative if you don’t have dryer balls on hand.

'Just scrunch aluminum foil [available at Walmart for under $2] into two or three firm, smooth balls and toss them into the dryer with your clothes,' adds Juliette. 'You can reuse them until they start to fall apart or get too rough.'

Remember, however, that these won't work in the same way as dryer balls, also available at Walmart.

Juliette explains, 'Dryer balls help separate clothes, improve airflow, and can help with drying time. So I see foil balls more as a simple static-reducing hack, rather than a replacement for dryer balls.'

What to Shop

Looking for more laundry day inspiration? Shop from a selection of top-rated products below to make your routine easier than ever.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

This towel hack uses wool dryer balls and essential oils to fluff up fabrics.

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A laundry drying rack is essential for drying clothes indoors year-round. But as fall approaches and the weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, relying on the washing line becomes less practical, making a good indoor drying solution more important than ever.

The best solutions offer plenty of room for a whole load of laundry, fold flat for storage, and are lightweight and compact to store – just like the Joseph Joseph AirFrame Clothes Drying Rack, available on Amazon.

Available in two sizes, it's the simple way to air-dry laundry.

During summer, the washing line out in my backyard is filled at least weekly. I'm a big believer in air drying, so I find drying clothes inside in winter far trickier and more tedious. Fortunately, the Joseph Joseph AirFrame Clothes Drying Rack, available at Amazon, makes it easy.

Featuring over 53 feet of drying space, despite boasting a compact footprint for drying clothes in small spaces, it collapses flat for convenient storage with the simple click of a button, and even features a clever carry handle for portability.

The staggered design also allows for both long and short items to be hung alongside one another, and creates six dedicated long-hanging rails.

As one shopper praises, it's everything a 'folded drying rack should be.' 'Just fantastic,' they add. 'I was skeptical about the price, but the wife reminded me we have two other Joseph Joseph products that we love and they're always very high quality and well designed. So we ordered it. Absolutely great.

'This is excellent engineering and very well constructed. You get what you pay for, and this is worth it. Sets the standard for what a folding drying rack can and should be.'

I completely agree − every item I've tested from Joseph Joseph, including this alternative discreet laundry rack which is ideal for shared dorms, has been high-quality and thoughtfully designed.

Another enthusiastic reviewer similarly says, 'This is THE rack I've always wanted.' 'There is SO much space on this thing,' they explain. 'When I unfolded it, I was amazed. It's really compact and lightweight, but it expands to be almost as tall as me [...], but I can still maneuver it from one side of the kitchen to the other while it's loaded with clothing.

'It is stable. When you unfold it, it locks, and to unlock it [or] put it away, you have to trigger these little buttons on each side. I've been moving it around my kitchen for weeks, and it hasn't flipped over; it's been loaded with rain gear, sweaters, all kinds of items, and it has fared just fine. This is a quality rack.

'It takes up so little space when not in use. Once folded, you clip it together, and it fits right by your washing machine, out of the way. I am really surprised at how compact it is.'

For drying clothes indoors, you really can't make a better investment.

More to Shop

For more laundry rack recommendations, shop from a round-up of top-rated indoor laundry accessories below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

These laundry basket storage ideas keep your space clutter-free.

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After a summer of running the air conditioning hard, it’s almost time to turn our attention to essential HVAC maintenance ahead of fall. And if there’s one task our experts say you shouldn’t put off, it’s replacing a dirty air filter.

A clogged filter can force your system to work harder, reducing airflow and efficiency. In more extreme cases, it can even contribute to system failure. The good news? Replacing it is quick, simple, and relatively inexpensive, making it one of the easiest fall maintenance jobs to check off your list.

Here, HVAC pros share why it's a fall home maintenance tip that demands immediate attention.

As Vanessa Ferrara, Co-Owner of Dang It’s Hot!, a family-owned air conditioning company serving South Florida, explains, your air filter is your AC system's first line of defense against dust, pet hair, and other airborne debris.

'After a long, hot summer, especially in warmer climates like South Florida where the AC runs almost non-stop, a dirty filter can cause restrictions and reduce the airflow through the system,' she says.

'Restricted airflow can make your AC system work harder, run less efficiently, and in more severe cases, cause the system to freeze up. Checking the filter is a simple and inexpensive step to keep your system operating properly,' while avoiding dust and dirt increasing your energy bills.

Alex Marsh, CEO and Founder of Bearcat Heating & Cooling in Spokane, Washington, agrees. 'Think of the air filter like the oil in your car,' he stresses. 'You wouldn't run a full summer of hard driving and then skip the oil change before a road trip, but that's exactly what happens to most furnaces and ACs every fall.

'And you're about to seal the house up for the season, with windows shut, everyone indoors, and the system recirculating the same air, so a fresh filter matters most exactly when fall allergens like ragweed and mold are peaking.'

How to Replace Dirty Air Filters

Fortunately, swapping air filters is a simple task that requires no tools and minimal knowledge. To begin with, ensure your AC is turned off at the thermostat, and locate your filter. Then, simply remove the old filter from the filter slot and replace it with a new one of the same size, matching the filter to the printed dimensions on the old filter's frame, and with the airflow direction arrow facing toward the unit.

More than anything, ensure you don't put the new air filter in backwards. 'The airflow arrow must point toward the furnace or air handler (the direction air travels, away from the room and toward the blower),' warns Alex. 'Putting it in backwards is the number one DIY mistake, and it chokes the exact airflow you're trying to protect.'

Then, turn your HVAC system back on, and write the date directly on the new filter when you install it, so you'll know roughly when it needs changing again.

'Don't rely only on the "change every 30 to 90 days" rule,' though, shares Vanessa. 'How quickly a filter gets dirty depends on the home, pets, how often the system runs, and even the time of year. Check it regularly and replace it when it's visibly dirty.'

What to Shop

While you'll need to shop for the exact air filter to fit your system, below I've curated a selection of six items that make it easy to clean your HVAC system in between replacing the filters.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'Key Note: Match the filter to the system; jumping to the highest MERV can restrict airflow on equipment that wasn't designed for it, so check your specs first,' concludes Alex. 'For most homes, MERV 8 to 11 is the sweet spot, and skip the cheap fiberglass filters (MERV 1 to 4); they protect the fan but barely clean the air,' which is a common mistake compromising your home's air quality.

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It's no secret that upholstered furniture commonly harbors musty odors. Those same soft, cushioned features that make pieces comfortable are exactly what trap and hold onto dust, dirt, spills, and stains.

Regular deep-cleaning is essential, but, in between, a spritz of upholstery spray, such as the MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Fabric Freshener, available at Amazon, works to combat odors without simply covering them.

It's a quick and easy way to eliminate odors from upholstery ahead of fall, and the all-natural formula means there's no worry of bleaching and damage.

There are many ways to remove odors from upholstery, but none are as simple as using a spray. Both quick and effortless, it banishes bad odors and leaves your favorite fabrics fresh.

While you can make your own fabric spray, the MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Fabric Freshener, which harnesses the all-natural power of essential oils, is an even more low-effort solution. And, with a long-lasting, garden-inspired scent, it's also the perfect way to add a personalized scent to your upholstery.

'The best fabric freshener,' enthuses one five-star reviewer. 'I will always order this in multiples. The scent lasts, and it’s so refreshing. I use this on clothes right out of the dryer, or when I put clothes away, I keep a second on a shelf to refresh the closet. I also use this on the insides of shoes, sheets, [and] upholstery. This makes everything smell so good.'

Lexi also loves the 'fresh linen scent,' which features notes of sandalwood, morning air, nectarine, and tonka, and the lasting power of this particular spray. 'Such a clean, fresh scent,' they say. 'I spray this on my living room set and curtains, and it definitely lasts without being overwhelming. I use it roughly once a week on Sundays, and I swear the scent lasts and my home smells like fresh linen.'

As the spray is made solely with thoughtfully chosen ingredients, it's also free of any harmful bleach, cyclodextrin, dyes, parabens, and formaldehyde. Meanwhile, the FreshBloom Scent Technology works to slowly release the fragrance over time, lingering for up to a week and keeping your fabrics fresher for longer.

Upholstered pieces are notoriously some of the hardest home decor to clean, but this spray won't stick, stain, or ruin.

More to Shop

You don't have to fake a clean living room. These cleaning essentials banish bad odors and fragrance the space ahead of fall.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Don't forget to keep in mind the cleaning methods you should never use on a fabric couch.

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After a sunny season spent hosting al fresco, patios are often left looking more than a little worse for wear come fall. It's no surprise; months of sustained use with little rain can lead to stains, while warm weather only encourages pollen build-up and rapid weed growth.

Many solutions for cleaning your patio, however, are brimming with chemicals and harmful to wildlife.

Alternatively, natural solutions like HARRIS 30% Vinegar, available at Walmart, are just as effective. It's six times stronger than regular household vinegar, provides multi-surface versatility, and is safe for use around both people and pets.

Doing a thorough, deep clean of this outdoor area is something people with clean patios always do. It sets the space for the new season, but no matter how many times you've done it before, there are still plenty of patio cleaning mistakes to avoid. With the HARRIS 30% Vinegar, it's easy.

Not only does it leave your paving sparkling; vinegar can be used to kill weeds, as it works to disrupt plant cells, and it's an ingredient in DIY weed killer, too.

It's probably best to remove weeds from pavers beforehand, as best as you can, and take extra precautions to kill weeds but not grass.

Using vinegar is also a proven way to prevent and get rid of mildew and 82% of mold varieties, and an easy, all-natural solution to avoiding your patio going green.

With an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the HARRIS 30% Vinegar comes highly recommended by shoppers.

'Very effective,' says Sognare, alongside a five-star review. 'Had basically a garden of weeds growing through the cracks in the sidewalk, sprayed them with this, and by the next day they were dead, and I could easily pull them out. Very effective, non-toxic way to kill weeds!'

Another, from Aaron, assures that it's 'great for cleaning.' 'Got this for overall cleaning around the house − counters, floors, laundry, shower − all the above,' they say. 'Make sure to dilute heavily, though! This can be powerful stuff.'

As versatile as it is affordable, this cleaning vinegar will have your patio perfected for fall in next to no time. Then, once the colder weather sets in, it can be used all around your home until spring (and time spent outdoors) rolls back around.

More to Shop

Below, I've curated a selection of patio-washing essentials to perfect the space ahead of fall. If you're opting to pressure wash your patio, make sure you proceed with caution to avoid damage.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Once the season starts, these are the outdoor fall cleaning tasks to tick off.

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The Deebot T50 Pro Omni is Ecovacs' latest attempt to out-slim the competition with a 3.9inch body designed to reach further under furniture than most rivals can manage.

And it's not just ultra-slim. On coverage, mapping and pet hair, it's one of the best robot vacuums I've ever tested. Even with its circular mops, which have always let me down in the past when testing other models, the Deebot T50 Pro Omni surprised me with its power, and at $399, it's a fraction of flagship pricing.

After four weeks of testing, the T50 Pro Omni lived up to nearly everything Ecovacs promised. Read on for where it excelled, and where it just missed the mark.

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Specifications

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Setup

Even if you've never owned a robot vacuum before, unboxing and putting the T50 Pro Omni together is simple and quick: clip the brush into its holder on the underside of the robot, clip the ramp onto the station, plug the station in, and slot the robot onto the dock to charge. The mopping pads helpfully come pre-installed.

The clean water tank lifts out of the front panel and fills from the tap, the dust bag slots into its own compartment behind a separate cover on the front, and the cleaning solution unit sits alongside it, ready to be topped up with Ecovacs' own Deebot Cleaning Solution, sold separately.

A 1L bottle of cleaning solution costs $24.99, so you'll need to factor that into the overall cost. You can, in theory, use any non-foaming solution, but just bear in mind that it could invalidate your warranty if something goes wrong after using a non-Ecovacs version.

None of this setup needs tools, and the whole process took less than 10 minutes.

The process was slightly slowed down when organizing the smart home setup. Downloading the Ecovacs Home app and pairing the robot is straightforward enough – there's a QR code on the box, robot, and user manual, giving you multiple options. The app then guides you through.

However, my robot needed a firmware update before it would let me start a clean, and that update took considerably longer – a little over 20 minutes – than the unboxing itself. It also drained the battery, so I had to wait for the robot to charge again afterward. If you're setting this up ahead of a specific cleaning session, I'd build in extra time for that step rather than assume you'll be up and running in minutes.

Once the update and charging were finished, the robot ran its initial mapping pass without any input from me, working room to room and building out a floor plan I could see forming in real time on the app. You can easily rename the rooms to make them easy to identify, as well as change where thresholds or furniture are. I didn't need to do the latter because the first map was so accurate.

Once saved, the robot was then ready to begin deep cleaning my home.

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Design and Features

The Deebot T50 Pro Omni is one of the better-looking robot vacuums I've tested, and the slimmest too.

At just 3.19 in (81mm) tall, it's noticeably slimmer than most of the competition, including my go-to Dreame Aqua 10 Roller, without any of the compromises that usually come with shrinking a robot down. It doesn't veer too far away from most other robot vacuums in terms of looks, but some small touches make a big difference.

There's a single power button on the top which lets you switch the vacuum on, restart it if it gets stuck, and send it back to the dock. LEDs around these controls show you when it's on and charging at a glance.

The Wi-Fi status light and the reset button are tucked away under a panel on the top of the robot, rather than on the casing. This panel also hides the robot's dust bin and washable F9-rated filter, rated to trap fine dust and allergens. The station's dust bag adds a second layer of filtration, which is great if you're using this as a vacuum for pet hair or you have allergies.

The dToF LiDAR module sits flush into the body rather than in a raised turret, which is the main reason the robot sits so low. This module handles mapping at up to 10m. The 3D structured light sensor and AI camera on the front edge can then see obstacles at super close range with a 77° vertical, 97° horizontal field of view. These numbers and specifications may mean little on their own, but in real-world terms, it means the robot can easily spot and avoid obstacles, and all of this gives the T50 Pro Omni a sleek and streamlined finish.

Flip the robot over, and there are large driving wheels on either side and a universal wheel at the front. The brush sits to one side, opposite the carpet detection sensor, and the main roller brush, which releases with a single button, sits in the center. At the rear of the robot are the two fabric mopping pads.

Two of these features do the heavy lifting on design: the ZeroTangle 2.0 uses a triple V-shaped brush structure, angled bristles, and a comb to stop hair wrapping around the roller, which is a bugbear I've experienced on cheaper robot vacuums for pet hair.

TruEdge 2.0 then pairs an extendable side brush with a mop plate that holds a 1mm gap from skirting boards and furniture legs. Together, they lead to fewer missed edges than fixed mop plates I've used and are great for finding and clearing hidden dust and debris in corners.

Anti-drop sensors on the underside stop the robot from tipping down stairs or crashing over thresholds, while the carpet sensor detects over 50 carpet types and triggers the mop to lift automatically so you don't smear wet stains on dry floors.

The station is the bulkiest part of the setup, but even then it only measures 13.8 x 11.6 x 21in (35 x 29.4 x 53.3cm), and weighs 16.8lb (7.6kg) empty. It's not small, but it's also not intrusive. For reference, the Dyson's Spot+Scrub AI dock measures 19.3 x 18.5 x 17.3in (49 x 47 x 44cm) and weighs closer to 20lb.

It's also a clean, minimalist white tower. I'd happily leave it out in a kitchen or hallway rather than tuck it away, which isn't something I say about every robot dock I test. On the top of the dock sit the clean and dirty water tanks, and behind a separate cover on the front you'll find the dust bag compartment and cleaning solution unit.

The mop washing tray sits at the base, directly under where the robot docks. Dual-directional scrapers and 70°C hot water handle the mop-washing, while 45°C hot air dries the pads afterwards so you're not left with a station that smells of stale water, a common complaint with older robot vacuum docks.

All of this runs through the Ecovacs Home app, which, again, is one of the best smart home apps I've used.

Everything is laid out simply. You can move between the robot and station settings in a single swipe, and everything sits under clearly labelled menus rather than buried in submenus.

Cleaning modes and the map live on the same page. You can easily set cleaning tasks per room rather than applying one setting across the whole home, or you can adjust suction and water flow by floor, room or target area. This offers a similar level of control to the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller, and the water flow levels option is one of the best parts of the Deebot T50 Pro Omni in my opinion.

Auto-Empty and Do Not Disturb toggle from the advanced cleaning settings screen, and Auto Resume is a setting worth turning on if you have a larger home because it stops the robot ending a clean early to recharge.

Voice control then runs through YIKO-GPT, Ecovacs' own assistant, and this works either as typed or spoken commands through the app, or via Alexa and Google Assistant. There's additionally a live video call feature, using the robot's 960P camera, which lets you check in on pets while you're out. This isn't enabled by default; you need to opt in, but that's a positive thing when it comes to privacy. If you want to check in on your home remotely, you'll enjoy this extra.

Maintenance features are built into the app too. You can check the condition of brushes, filters, and bags, see when parts need replacing, and order spares. Plus, it's a good place to start if your robot vacuum keeps getting stuck or isn't working as it should.

What Is the Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni Like to Use?

The feature that really stood out for me while living with the Deebot T50 Pro Omni, though, was how methodical it is. It covered every inch of every room, getting into corners and edges with an ease that rivals which cost three times as much struggle with. Even on Quick Clean – which is one of three cleaning speed options alongside Standard and Deep Cleaning and where you might assume it would reduce its precision – the Deebot still cleared areas meticulously.

Being a LiDAR-equipped robot, the T50 Omni Pro's mapping accuracy backs this up. Rooms, as well as obstacles like messy cables or shoes left on the floor, were identified correctly and consistently. I never had the trial-and-error moments I've had with other robots like the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai that would confuse large debris with obstacles, or which made it difficult to work out which numbered room matched with which spaces in my home.

I have a high threshold between the Karndean flooring in my kitchen and the solid hardwood floors of my hallway, and the Deebot T50 Pro Omni handled it with ease. Notably, it did this without causing the loud crashing sound as it lands on the wooden floor that most other robot vacuums create. Size matters here too, and the robot easily cleaned under my sofa, under tables and chairs, and even under a dining room unit without getting stuck.

And all of this combines for excellent cleaning performance, one that carries through whether the Deebot is vacuuming or mopping. In fact, having been let down before by circular mopping pads that smear more than they clean, I was taken aback by the T50 Pro Omni. Not only did its mopping pads make a great first pass each time, but its back-and-forth motion meant it kept going over a patch until it was actually clean. This is a feature Dyson promised on its Spot+Scrub Ai but ultimately failed to deliver. Ecovacs manages it easily.

Noise is a mixed picture, but not necessarily a problem one. During a normal clean, the T50 Pro Omni is quiet enough to run while I'm working nearby. The one moment it gets loud is when the dock empties the dustbin, but that's over quickly enough that it never felt intrusive.

It also makes a low hum when it cleans the mop, and that hum lasts for a few hours as the dock dries the mop too, but neither is a problem, and you soon get used to it.

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Vacuuming Tests

To see how the Deebot handles different types of mess, I ran the same tests on a hard floor and carpet, scattering a quarter cup each of sugar, lentils, and cereal, with some pushed into corners and edges.

Sugar stands in for fine debris like dust, lentils cover medium debris, and cereal represents larger crumbs or kibble.

Across the board, the T50 Pro Omni impressed me. Cereal was swept up almost straight away without hesitation or repeat passes. Lentils came up as easily, cleared from both the laminate and carpet without anything left wedged into the pile.

Sugar took a bit more work on carpet and had a tendency to require multiple passes, but on both carpet and laminate I would watch the robot going back and forth until every trace was gone. No manual sweeping required on my part at all.

Pet hair testing went well too. The Deebot T50 Pro Omni cleared it thoroughly from both the hard floor and the carpet, with nothing left wrapped around the roller afterwards. This noticeably cut down on the pet dander that usually ends up on my hands after sitting on the floor too.

For everyday use, the Deebot T50 Pro Omni took over most of the vacuuming I'd normally do myself. I still used my cordless vacuum on carpets and stairs every weekend, but for daily maintenance, the robot handled all of the work. I could even trust it to get into the nooks where debris tends to build up between cleans.

What struck me most was how little of any mess it left behind, even outside the standardized tests. I never once needed to go back over an area it had already covered, and on carpet especially, family and friends commented on how clean it looked and felt.

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Mopping Tests

I tested mopping with the usual two-stains method: a quarter cup of ketchup for the first test, a quarter cup of mustard for the second, both poured onto my laminate floor.

Ketchup cleared brilliantly, lifted almost entirely on the first pass with barely any residue left behind, no stickiness underfoot once the floor had dried, and no tangy, tomato odor.

Mustard posed much more of a challenge and was the only real test where the Ecovacs didn't live up to the expectations it had set for itself. Being thicker, the mustard was smeared across the test area at first rather than lifted straight away. It gathered in the mop pads, and you could see the outline of the circular pads left behind in the stain on the floor.

The Deebot redeemed itself slightly, going back over the area again and again until the mustard was cleared. It even paused its stain removal halfway through, returned to the dock to rinse the mop pads, then came back out to finish the job.

I did still have to manually mop the area afterwards, though, because mustard has a tendency to stain light-colored flooring, and that discoloration was one thing the T50 Pro Omni couldn't lift.

After both tests, there was very little sticky debris left behind in either the main roller or the mopping pads, and the mop washing tray came out clean rather than caked in leftover mess. Even with the best-performing vacuum-mops I've tested, I've usually found clumps of dried ketchup or mustard I've had to rinse off myself with warm water. Not with the T50 Pro Omni.

Mopping is where I was the most skeptical, given how often circular mops have let me down before, but it's where the Deebot surprised me most. It's not flawless; the initial smearing of the mustard is worth knowing about, but the result each time was a floor that was clean, not just damp with mess pushed around.

Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni: Maintenance

Most of the routine maintenance with the Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni is handled by the dock. After each run, it empties the dustbin, washes the wet roller to stop odor, and dries it with warm air automatically. During my tests, the roller always came out clean and dry and never damp or musty.

Hair management is also good, helped by the V-shaped, anti-tangle design. With a dog in the house and my long hair, I still needed to check the brush bar every couple of weeks and pull out the odd wrapped strand by hand, rather than never touching it at all, but this was minimal.

Day-to-day, the clean and dirty water tanks are easy to lift out and refill, and the bin and filter assembly pops up from the panel on top of the robot with a gentle press.

Both the robot's filter and the docking station's filter can be rinsed under a tap and left to dry for 24 hours before refitting. The mopping pads unclip, and the roller can be removed via the release button on the underside of the machine.

Beyond the day-to-day, maintaining the T50 Pro Omni is mostly a case of following the app's prompts rather than remembering a schedule yourself. If something goes wrong, the app will send a notification where the built-in YIKO-GPT assistant chat gives step-by-step troubleshooting help, showing you how to solve maintenance problems.

The app will also tell you when the dust bag needs replacing and let you order replacement parts – because knowing how to clean a robot vacuum is key to extending its lifespan, this is a welcome touch.

Based on Ecovacs' timelines, the washable mopping pads need replacing every one to two months, and the filter and side brush every three to six months, depending on how much use they get. The clean water tank, dirty water tank, and dust collection cabin are all listed as a monthly clean, along with the body and base of the station itself, though in practice I found a quick wipe every few weeks kept things looking fresh without needing to follow the schedule to the letter.

None of this felt like a chore during testing. Compared to the upkeep some robot vacuums demand, particularly ones without a self-cleaning dock, the T50 Pro Omni asks very little of you beyond the occasional rinse and the odd bag swap.

How Does the Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni Compare?

Against the eufy Omni S1 Pro, a longtime favorite of mine in this category, the Deebot's biggest advantage is raw suction, at 15,000 Pa against the eufy's 8,000 Pa, and its slimmer profile gets under furniture the eufy's boxier body can't.

The Roborock Saros Z70 takes a completely different approach to obstacle handling, using a mechanical arm to physically pick up socks, cables, and other small objects rather than avoiding them. It's a clever solution to the problem, especially when it comes to larger debris, and its 22,000 Pa suction outmuscles the Deebot on paper. Although its real-world carpet performance pales in comparison.

For a more direct mopping comparison, the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller offers stronger suction at 30,000 Pa, along with a continuous-clean roller mop. It's been my go-to robot vacuum at home, which says a lot about how highly I rate it, but the T50 Pro Omni may have just pipped it.

How I Tested the Ecovacs Deebot T50 Pro Omni

I used the T50 Pro Omni as my main robot vacuum for four weeks, running it across hard flooring and carpet, with a dog, children, and the usual day-to-day mess that comes with both.

Alongside daily cleans, I ran our standardized vacuum tests, scattering a quarter cup each of sugar, lentils, and cereal on both hard floor and carpet to assess fine, medium, and large debris pickup, and setting two stains: ketchup and mustard, on hard flooring to test the mopping function.

I tracked how the robot navigated my home, how it handled the OMNI Station's self-cleaning and self-emptying cycles, and how the Ecovacs Home app held up across day-to-day scheduling, room management, and cleaning history.

Next, learn how to choose the best vacuum for every home and budget.

There's nothing more frustrating than opening the dryer to find your bed sheets twisted into a giant ball, trapping every towel, pillowcase, and T-shirt inside. It's a common laundry annoyance, but according to experts, it's also one of the easiest problems to prevent.

The solution comes down to a few simple tweaks, from shaking out your sheets before they go in the dryer to adding dryer balls and using a lower heat setting to reduce tangling as the fabric tumbles.

Here, they share the seven simple steps that make washing and drying bed linen easier than ever.

1. Always Shake Your Sheets Out Before They Go into the Dryer

'If there’s one laundry complaint I hear all the time, it’s, “Why do my sheets always come out of the dryer in one giant ball?”' says Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert and Founder and CEO of Juliette, an NYC-based premium laundry service. 'It happens more often than people think, and it doesn’t just make your laundry frustrating; it also keeps parts of your sheets damp, creates more wrinkles, and can even make your dryer work harder than it needs to.'

The easiest fix? Giving your sheets a quick shake before putting them in your dryer.

'This is my number one recommendation because it’s so simple and it really works,' she explains. 'Giving your sheets a good shake helps release any twists that formed during the wash cycle, so they have a better chance of tumbling freely instead of wrapping around themselves.'

And, as Alicia Sokolowski, Cleaning and Laundry Expert and President and Co-CEO of AspenClean, adds, 'By having separated sheets, this provides more airflow throughout the dryer, making it less likely that the sheets will wrap around one another.'

That added airflow also means your sheets dry quicker, helping, in turn, to cut energy bills at the same time.

2. Use Dryer Balls to Separate Fabrics

Next, advises Rechelle, you should be using dryer balls. 'I recommend dryer balls to just about everyone,' she says. 'They help separate the fabric as the dryer turns, which keeps sheets from clumping together. As a bonus, they can shorten drying time, soften fabrics naturally, and help reduce wrinkles without using dryer sheets.'

In terms of how many you'll need, Alicia shares that you should use three dryer balls, such as the Evriholder 100% Wool Dryer Balls, available at Walmart, for a small or medium load, and up to six for a larger load, assuming the drum isn't overloaded.

And, if you're interested in the tennis ball vs dryer ball debate, it's always worth investing in the real thing rather than risk introducing potential toxins into your laundry routine.

3. Choose a Lower Heat Setting

'Many people think higher heat means faster drying, but that’s not always the case,' warns Rechelle. 'I recommend using a medium or low heat setting because it gives the sheets more time to tumble freely instead of tightening up and sticking together. It’s also much gentler on your bedding and helps it last longer.'

Therefore, if you've invested in some of the best luxury bed sheets (our favorites are from Matouk, available at Nordstrom), you can rest assured that they won't end up pilling and damaged.

4. Stop the Dryer Halfway Through the Cycle

To avoid any tumble dryer mistakes when drying bed sheets, Alicia recommends starting the dryer, waiting about 15 to 20 minutes, and then pausing the cycle.

'Take out the sheets and unravel any tangling that might have started,' she says. 'Shake each piece out and then return all the bedding loosely to the dryer and continue the cycle. This method helps break up a ball before the inner layers remain trapped and damp for the remainder of the cycle.'

As Rechelle adds, 'It's a small step that can save you from finding damp sheets at the end of the cycle.'

5. Dry Sheets Separately from Towels and Heavier Items

'This is one mistake I see all the time,' shares Rechelle. 'Towels and heavier fabrics tend to wrap around lightweight sheets, making them ball up. I always recommend drying sheets on their own or with other lightweight bedding whenever possible.'

Additionally, says Alicia, make sure you're not overloading your dryer, either, which is another probable reason why your sheets are balling up, your dryer is getting too hot, and your laundry smells damp.

'In order for sheets to completely dry, they need to have space to lift and unfold, and dry as the dryer drum spins,' she explains.

6. Take Bed Sheets Out the Dryer as Soon as They’re Dry

Always promptly remove your bed sheets from the dryer as soon as they're dry to prevent them from balling up, which is a simple way to make laundry smell better, too.

'Once the dryer stops, don’t let your sheets sit inside for an hour,' advises Rechelle. 'Removing them promptly helps prevent wrinkles from setting in and keeps them looking much fresher.'

7. Keep a Wrinkle-Release Spray on Hand

Finally, adds Rechelle, 'If your sheets still have a few wrinkles, I recommend a quick mist of wrinkle-release spray,' such as the Downy Wrinkle Releaser, available at Walmart.

'Smooth the fabric with your hands, or toss the sheets back into the dryer on low heat for a few minutes. It’s an easy trick when you want your bed to look crisp without ironing.'

What to Shop

Shop from a selection of laundry and tumble drying essentials below, all of which are top-rated by customers or have been tested by us here at Homes & Gardens firsthand.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'My biggest piece of advice is to focus on airflow,' concludes Rechelle. 'When your sheets have enough room to move and aren’t wrapped around themselves, they’ll dry more evenly, wrinkle less, and come out of the dryer the way they’re supposed to: Soft, fresh, and ready to go right on the bed.'

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If your laundry room always feels short on space, ALDI's latest middle aisle find could be the solution. The retailer has launched the Easy Home Extendable Air Dryer, a foldable clothes drying rack designed to maximize drying space without permanently taking over your home. Priced at $34.99, it's a practical alternative to running the dryer for every load and folds flat when not in use.

As more homeowners look for ways to make laundry rooms work harder, versatile products like this are becoming increasingly popular. Whether you live in an apartment, have a compact utility room, or simply want to cut back on energy use during warmer weather, an air dryer is one of the easiest ways to create extra drying space without a permanent footprint.

I currently use and love the top-rated Clothes Drying Rack from Amazon, which has been a game-changer for air-drying everything from knitwear to towels, so I can definitely see the appeal of ALDI's more compact, foldaway alternative for smaller homes and laundry rooms.

If you're searching for small laundry room ideas, this is one of those hardworking buys that ticks every box. The extendable design provides plenty of drying space for everything from T-shirts and towels to larger items, before collapsing flat for easy storage once your washing has dried.

Why This ALDI Laundry Find Stands Out

Unlike bulky drying racks that permanently occupy valuable floor space, the Easy Home Extendable Air Dryer has an adjustable frame that expands while you're drying clothes indoors and folds neatly away afterward. That makes it particularly useful for apartments, smaller homes, and laundry rooms where every inch counts.

'The best laundry room products are the ones that disappear when you're not using them,' says Ottilie Blackhall, Sleep and Laundry Writer, at Homes & Gardens. 'Foldable drying racks are a smart investment because they give you flexibility without permanently sacrificing valuable floor space.'

Another advantage is that air-drying clothes can help reduce energy consumption while being much gentler on delicate fabrics than frequent tumble drying. During the warmer months, it's an easy way to lower household energy use while helping garments last longer.

Perfect for Apartments, Utility Rooms, and Small Spaces

One of the biggest selling points of this drying rack is its versatility. It can be used in a laundry room, bathroom, spare bedroom, or even outside on a patio when the weather is dry.

Because it folds flat, it's easy to slide behind a washing machine, tuck inside a closet, or store beside a cabinet when not in use. That makes it an especially practical choice if you're trying to keep a compact laundry room clutter-free.

If you regularly air-dry knitwear, activewear, delicates, or linens, having an extendable rack like this means you won't need to drape clothes over doors, radiators, or furniture.

Shop More Laundry Room Essentials

If the ALDI Easy Home Extendable Air Dryer sells out – as many Special Buys do – these alternatives are also worth considering.

Whether you're looking to save energy, protect delicate clothes, or free up floor space, ALDI's Easy Home Extendable Air Dryer is a practical buy. It offers full-size drying space when needed, then folds away neatly to keep your laundry area tidy. If your budget stretches further, though, I highly recommend the Joseph Joseph Eclipse 3-Tier Adjustable Laundry Drying Rack – our in-house sleep and laundry expert swears by it.

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For a brand with such a strong reputation for market-leading products, the R10 Pro feels like a chink in Dreame's armor.

When it comes to design, maneuverability, and dust, it's a capable machine with glimpses of greatness as one of the best vacuums. It's one of the lightest and easiest-to-use stick vacuums I've tested, effortlessly gliding across floors. And for such an affordable device, smart features, such as LED lights and a handy lock button that keeps the vacuum running without you having to press the trigger, elevate it closer to more expensive models.

However, when it comes to providing a thorough deep clean, I was disappointed with this cordless vacuum's battery life and ability to tackle large messes. To find out if the Dreame R10 Pro could be the right vacuum model for your home, read on to explore my in-depth review.

My One Minute Verdict

Dreame products so often punch above their weight in terms of price and value, but with the R10 Pro you sadly get what you pay for.

If you have a smaller home or are looking for one of the best vacuums for pet hair that's light and easy to manage day to day, it's not a bad price to pay. Even on the super-quiet, less-powerful Eco mode, it clears fine debris in a single pass, and its Turbo mode is great for getting pet hair out of carpet fibers.

Beyond those everyday tasks, however, its limitations become difficult to ignore. Although Dreame claims up to 65 minutes of runtime, I managed just 25 minutes during mixed-mode testing, and even the brief use of Turbo mode drains the battery quickly. Large debris pickup is inconsistent, often requiring multiple passes and further extending cleaning time.

The vacuum won't stand securely without its wall mount, the modest 0.6L dust cup fills quickly, and debris repeatedly became trapped between the tube and dust cup, occasionally blocking suction. During one test, the dust cup even released unexpectedly, emptying its contents back onto the floor.

For those looking for a cordless vacuum for a larger home and to be able to tackle big cleans, I would recommend exploring options like the Dreame R20, which pairs a 90-minute runtime with a touchscreen display that takes the guesswork out of battery and suction mode, or the Shark Stratos cordless, which handles mixed debris smarter and more consistently.

Dreame R10 Pro: Specifications

Dreame R10 Pro: Design and Features

The Dreame R10 Pro doesn't veer too far from what you'd expect from a standard cordless stick vacuum. Its main unit sits on the top of a metal tube that connects to one of the vacuum's floorheads and attachments, and a transparent dust cup runs down the body of the handheld unit, so you can see how full it is.

You power the vacuum on and off using the trigger button on the underside of the main unit, and switch between the Eco, Med and Turbo modes using a slider switch on the top. A lock button keeps the vacuum running continuously without having to press the trigger, which makes a real difference during longer cleaning sessions, and there's a small LED dot alongside this button that lets you see how much battery life you have at a glance. It's lacking a more detailed display, but at this price point, that's not a surprise.

What was a pleasant surprise, however, was how much the R10 Pro's matte black design with gold accents elevates it well above its price, making it look more expensive than it is. At 3.64 lbs (1.65 kg) for the main unit, it's also on the lighter side for a cordless vacuum without sacrificing too much power.

Rather than a single multi-surface head, the R10 Pro comes with two interchangeable floorheads. The multi-surface brush uses V-shaped bristles and a comb design to grab hair and direct it up the tube rather than letting it tangle around the roller. The soft roller floorhead is added as a dedicated hard floor option, with a roller that picks up fine dust without scattering it across the room. Both floorheads have built-in LED lights at the front to help you see dust and debris, especially under furniture and in darker corners.

Beyond the floorheads, the kit includes a motorized mini-brush for upholstery and furnishings, a wide combination tool that acts as both a dusting brush and a crevice tool, a bendable crevice nozzle for tight and hard-to-reach spaces, and a short extension tube – all of which click on and off at the center of the tube with a button press.

Filtration is then managed by a five-layer washable filter system that Dreame claims captures 99.9% of particles down to 0.3 microns. It's not officially certified as HEPA-grade, but it comes close.

Inside the box is a wall-mounted bracket that stores the vacuum in an upright position. This is a necessity because the vacuum can't free-stand on its own; the floorhead doesn't lock into position and has a tendency to roll away or fall over. You'll also need to install this bracket near a plug as the charging cable doesn't stretch very far. Once plugged in, it takes around 3.5 hours to charge, but you only get up to 65 minutes of battery life on Eco mode (and less than 15 minutes on Turbo).

What Is the Dreame R10 Pro Like to Use?

The R10 Pro is easy to pick up and get going – there's no complicated setup and swapping between attachments is quick enough. The lack of dedicated storage for these attachments is disappointing but expected at this price.

In general cleaning terms, the R10 Pro handled day-to-day messes well, picking up pet hair from hard floors and low-pile carpet without fuss. The soft roller floorhead is quiet and smooth on hard floors, with no sense that it's going to scratch or drag across anything delicate, and it handles everyday debris – crumbs, dust, the odd bit of dried mud – without much effort.

On carpet, the vacuum works harder, and you feel a bit more resistance in the push, but it picks up well, and the suction is good. The anti-tangle design of the multi-surface floorhead largely holds up in everyday use too.

I liked having the option of the two floorheads, but storing the spare is a pain, and I almost exclusively ended up using the multi-surface head because it did the job well enough to not have to switch.

In use, the vacuum is light enough to carry upstairs or use for long periods. It can feel a little unbalanced when you're pushing it round the home because it's quite top-heavy, but this isn't a dealbreaker, and you soon get used to it.

The lock button is also a benefit for long cleans. Taking away the need to keep your finger on the trigger makes it maneuverable enough to get into corners and along baseboards without constantly repositioning yourself, plus the low-profile floorhead gets under most furniture without having to tilt the vacuum at an awkward angle.

What's not a benefit for long cleans is the poor battery life. For a vacuum this affordable, I didn't expect industry-leading runtimes, but I do think being able to do a full pass of my house in one run shouldn't be too much to ask. Dreame claims Eco mode lasts 65 minutes, and that holds true; however, in reality, Eco mode isn't strong enough to make a dent in pet hair or deeply clean. This means you have to ramp the vacuum up to Turbo periodically, and in my tests, I got (at most) 25 minutes switching between the two. For most everyday tasks and quick cleans, this will be ample, but for anything deeper or longer, you'll need to revert to a wired vacuum alternative or wait for the R10 Pro to charge.

The LED lights in the floorheads turned out to be more useful than I thought. They pick out dust along baseboards and under the sofa that I would have otherwise missed, and I found myself cleaning more thoroughly because of them – going over areas I would have assumed were fine and finding they weren't.

On noise, the R10 Pro is quiet enough on Eco, at 62dB, for someone to work comfortably in the next room. Turbo steps up the noise to 71dB on average, but the pitch is low, which makes it more gentle on the ears than I'd expected.

Compared to other cordless sticks I've tested at this price, the R10 Pro is impressive on pet hair in Turbo mode; the quality of the LED lighting stands out.

Where it falls is the lack of a freestanding dock, disappointing runtime, and mixed results between Eco and Turbo modes. Also, during one clean, the dust cup just opened by itself, pouring 10 minutes of dust and dirt back onto my floor.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

To test how the R10 Pro handles fine debris, I scattered half a cup of flour and sugar in roughly a 50/50 split across carpet, hardwood, and laminate, spreading it over a wide enough area to clearly see the vacuum's path with each pass.

Flour and sugar work well because they mimic the kind of fine debris that builds up on floors between cleans and is often harder to shift than larger pieces.

On carpet, the R10 Pro performed well, pulling the flour and sugar out of the pile without spreading it around. Most of the debris was gone in a single pass, with only a very light dusting of flour remaining in the deeper parts of the pile on the first run. A second pass cleared it completely.

Flour did tend to gather at the edges of the brushroll, but this can be easily cleared away, and it doesn't transfer back onto the floor as you move the vacuum around.

On hardwood, the flour, at times, had a tendency to get pushed slightly ahead of the floorhead on the first pass, but it was quickly cleared on a second pass.

The sugar cleared more cleanly, but getting into the cracks between floorboards took an extra pass with the floorhead angled slightly, and some flour settled into the joins and needed the crevice nozzle to finish the job properly.

On laminate, the results were similar to hardwood, though the smoother surface meant slightly less scattering on contact and the flour cleared more easily across open areas. The edges of the room and the join between the floor and baseboard needed a second pass, but the overall result was clean without needing to change suction mode or switch attachments for the bulk of the test.

Test 2: Pantry

For the pantry test, I scattered half a cup of cereal and red lentils across carpet, hardwood, and laminate. Cereal and lentils represent the kind of debris that ends up on floors every day. For the cereal, we use off-brand Cheerios – which stand in for larger pieces of debris like crumbs and dry food, while the lentils are smaller and have a slightly tacky texture.

On carpet, the R10 Pro picked up the lentils confidently and without flinging pieces around, clearing most of it in a single pass. The cereal took a lot more work. The floorhead largely pushed them or sent them flying around rather than sucking them up. I had to physically lift the floorhead and make multiple passes over each one to remove them, or I had to resort to an attachment.

On hardwood, there was some scattering of the lentils on the first pass, but a second pass over the same area dealt with them, and on laminate, performance was similar to hardwood. The lentils again needed two passes in places, and there was a little scattering on contact, but nothing that required lifting and dropping the vacuum to dislodge pieces or any heavy-handed maneuvering.

The cereal performance proved even worse on hard floors. I was left with just piles of cereal in corners or along the edges, and those that did get sucked in ended up clogging the unit. I had to use water to soften the blockage and then clear it with the end of a spoon, which is less than ideal.

Test 3: Pet Hair

To test the R10 Pro on pet (and human) hair, I ran it across both carpet and hard floors after a typical day with my dog Maisie, without pre-cleaning either surface first.

On hard floors, the R10 Pro handled Maisie's hair well, pulling it in cleanly without spreading it around or leaving trails at the edges of the floorhead. The comb teeth design came into its own here – hair moved through the roller and into the dust cup without bunching. After a full pass, there was little left behind, and what remained was easy enough to catch on a second run. On carpet, the vacuum lifted most of the surface hair well, but the deeper the pile, the more effort was needed.

I did notice on one of Maisie's heavy shedding days, which are common when the weather is hot, that some of her hairs caught at the edges of the roller and had to be removed by hand, so you'll want to check it periodically rather than assuming it's clear.

My hair told a similar story. Longer strands cleared well on hard floors and low-pile carpet, though on thicker carpet strands occasionally needed a second pass to come up fully. The dust cup filled noticeably faster on heavy hair days, which is worth bearing in mind if you have multiple pets or a large home – the 0.6L capacity is on the smaller side, and you may find yourself emptying it mid-clean.

Test 4: Attachments

Swapping between attachments is easy on the R10 Pro. The button release at the collar joint is easy to find and operate with one hand, and nothing feels flimsy or loose once clicked into place.

The motorized mini-brush got the most use outside of the main floorheads. On the sofa, it lifted Maisie's hair from the fabric better than the main floorhead, and on cushions and upholstered chairs it did a thorough job without being rough on the material. The wide combination tool – which flips between a dusting brush and a crevice mode – is versatile enough for lots of different tasks and I used it regularly on baseboards, shelves and around the edges of radiators. It isn't as precise as a dedicated crevice tool, but it covers a lot of ground without needing to swap again.

For the crevice attachment, I sprinkled flour and sugar along the base of a wall, pressing some of it into the join between the floor and the skirting board. The nozzle cleared both the flour and the sugar cleanly in a single pass without spreading the debris outward.

The extension tube adds useful reach for high shelves and ceiling corners but feels unnecessary. The existing tube length covers most situations without it. Of all the attachments, it was the one I put back in the box most quickly and didn't miss.

Dreame R10 Pro Name: Setup and Maintenance

The R10 Pro arrives in a large, fairly hefty box, but unboxing it is straightforward.

The packaging is mostly cardboard with some paper wrapping around the individual components, and little unnecessary plastic. Everything is organized into separate cardboard compartments inside, so nothing is loose or rattling around, and the user manual sits on top so it's the first thing you see when you open it.

The box contains:

• Main handheld unit
• Metal wand
• Multi-surface floorhead
• Soft roller floorhead
• Motorized mini-brush
• Wide combination tool
• Bendable crevice nozzle
• Extension tube
• Wall-mounted storage bracket
• Charging cable and adapter
• User manual

That's a generous kit for this price.

Before you can use the R10 Pro, you'll need to charge it fully, but to do so you'll likely have to install the wall bracket first. This isn't 100% necessary, but the vacuum won't stand by itself, and you'll have to do it eventually anyway. Slotting it into the wall bracket and plugging in the cable takes seconds, and from flat it took around 3 hours to reach full charge – roughly in line with the 3.5 hours quoted by Dreame. There's no assembly required beyond attaching your chosen floorhead, which clicks into place with a single push.

Day-to-day vacuum maintenance is simple too (as long as you don't vacuum up lots of large debris that can block the unit). The dust cup empties with a single button press and the bin itself is easy to rinse out when needed. I didn't think having such an easy release system would impress me so much, but seeing as I always struggle with the systems on Dyson vacuums, this mattered more than I thought. The filter is removable and fully washable – Dreame recommends cleaning it every month or so depending on use – and it's a simple process of rinsing it under cold water, leaving it to dry for 24 hours, and clicking it back in.

The brushroll on the multi-surface floorhead can be removed for cleaning too, and the soft roller floorhead pulls apart easily enough to clear any debris that's worked its way inside. None of it requires tools or any particular effort, and keeping on top of it takes only a few minutes.

How Does the Dreame R10 Compare?

The R10 Pro sits in the middle of Dreame's R-series lineup, above the Dreame R10 and the Dreame R20. If you mainly clean hard floors and don't need the soft roller, the R10 undercuts the Pro on price and covers the basics, but given that the battery life complaints that dog the R10 Pro apply here too, and you lose the soft roller in the bargain, the Pro is the better buy if the price gap is small.

Dreame R20 is $50 / £50 more, but for that extra money you get 190 AW of suction, intelligent dirt detection that automatically adjusts power based on the floor type and debris, a touch screen display, and 90 minutes of runtime.

Against the competition, the Shark Stratos cordless ($499.99 / £399.99) is a significant step up in price but brings Clean Sense IQ technology that senses dirt and adjusts suction automatically, more reliable large debris pickup, and a MultiFLEX wand that folds flat for freestanding storage. It also often sells for much less than its RRP, and if you can get it on sale, it's a much stronger investment. At the other end, the Bissell CleanView XR Pet ($119.99 / £99.99) is cheaper than the R10 Pro and covers the essentials for pet owners and smaller homes, even if it lacks the LED lighting and the soft roller floorhead.

How We Test Vacuums

At Homes & Gardens, we take a detailed and standardized approach to how we test vacuums.

This includes vacuuming set amounts of fine and large debris on carpet, linoleum and hardwood floors to check cleaning performance across different types and surfaces. We test the anti-tangle performance and pet hair pickup as well as using each vacuum around the home to check weight, maneuverability, battery life, dustbin emptying, noise levels, and anything else you might need to consider before buying. Every factor is then weighed against the price when we give it our final mark.

I tested the Dreame R10 Pro for four weeks in my home, where I have two children and a dog. I ran it across carpet, laminate and hardwood floors, tested its noise levels using the DecibelX app and checked how easy it was to use and how well it fit into my life.

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The laundry room is oftentimes the hardest-working space in any home. All of that usage − from sorting to washing and drying − can just as often leave it disorganized and difficult to manage.

As with any space around a house, the first and easiest step towards streamlining a small laundry room starts with storage, particularly versatile solutions that solve two problems at once: Just like this 2-in-1 Trash Bag Holder & Laundry Pods Container, available at Amazon.

With space for trash bags and over 100 dishwasher pods, and a space-saving design to fit perfectly under standard sinks, it's undoubtedly one of the best things organized people should have in their laundry rooms − and for good reason.

While any laundry room can, and often does, end up in disarray, small spaces suffer this fate more than most. With a compact footprint also tends to come a distinct lack of storage space, which is why using vertical storage is a clever way to maximize space in a small laundry room.

And, when it comes to organizing a laundry room, the 2-in-1 Trash Bag Holder & Laundry Pods Container, available at Amazon, provides ample storage while taking up virtually no precious countertop space.

With two sections, one for holding washing pods and one for trash bags, and a hidden tray between for sponges or other cleaning accessories, the holder can be used either split or combined. Units can then be stacked upwards or placed side-by-side for flexible storage to perfectly suit your space, whether used under a sink, in a cabinet, or out on a countertop.

There's no need to worry about the effects of humidity, either − the holder is built to withstand humid environments without any wear or warping, and is capable of holding over 100 laundry pods (or dishwasher pods if you choose to use it in your kitchen instead) and a roll of 13, 20, 30, or 33-gallon trash bags.

What Shoppers Say

Boasting an overall rating of 4.7 out of five stars, the 2-in-1 Trash Bag Holder & Laundry Pods Container, available at Amazon, is a popular purchase among shoppers.

For example, Ronald calls it a 'Convenient, great space saver,' while another verified review praises that it 'Makes access to trash bags and detergent easier.'

'I like the simplicity of these storage containers,' they add. 'Easy access to trash bags and dishwasher detergent. Works perfectly.'

So, hile there are a number of things to get rid of in a messy laundry room, this is undoubtedly a worthy addition, and an easy way to avoid any laundry room organizing mistakes once and for all.

What to Shop

Interested in shopping for more laundry accessories? Browse a selection of our favorites below, each of which will elevate your routine and make laundry day more of a breeze than a chore.

All prices were correct at the time of publication

These handy laundry hacks are guaranteed to save you time and effort when it comes to laundry day.

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If you're looking to cut your energy bills, reduce wear on your favorite clothes, or avoid using the dryer during warmer weather, air drying is one of the easiest ways to do it. And with much of the US experiencing another spell of extreme summer heat, many households may be tempted to skip the dryer altogether and make the most of the sunshine.

For many households, that means hanging laundry on an outdoor clothesline whenever the forecast looks promising. While there are plenty of benefits of air-drying laundry, including using less energy and helping fabrics retain their shape, outdoor drying also exposes freshly washed fabrics to the elements. Pollen, insects, dust, humidity, and strong UV rays can all affect how your laundry looks, smells, and feels. In some neighborhoods, HOA rules may even prevent outdoor line drying altogether.

When conditions outside aren't ideal, drying clothes indoors can be a more reliable alternative, helping you dry clothes quickly while protecting fabrics from allergens, pests, and unpredictable weather.

'Air drying is gentler on fabrics than machine drying,' says Ken Doty, COO and Cleaning Expert at The Maids. 'However, where you dry your clothes can make a bigger difference than many people realize.'

Here, laundry professionals explain six reasons why bringing your laundry indoors may sometimes be the smarter option.

1. Unpredictable Weather Can Undo Your Hard Work

The ideal day for drying laundry outside is warm, dry, and breezy, but the weather doesn't always cooperate. Sudden rain showers can leave clothes soaking wet all over again, while strong winds may blow laundry off the line or coat freshly washed fabrics with dust, dirt, and debris.

Rain and wind are among the biggest drawbacks of outdoor drying because they can leave freshly washed laundry covered in grime or even send it 'off the line completely,' meaning you'll likely have to wash everything again. This is especially common during summer thunderstorm season across much of the US, when clear mornings can quickly give way to afternoon downpours.

For those unpredictable weather days, an indoor drying rack can be a useful backup. The Amazon Basics Foldable Portable Laundry Rack is a practical choice for air drying clothes indoors, with a collapsible design that makes it easy to store away when not in use.

2. Pollen Can Trigger Allergy Symptoms

If you or someone in your household struggles with seasonal allergies, drying clothes outside could bring pollen straight back into your home. Even after washing with hypoallergenic detergent, damp fabrics can easily trap pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds while they're hanging outdoors.

According to Cleaning Expert Ken Doty, this is particularly problematic during spring and summer, when 'common allergens' become trapped in clothing and carried back inside. Rather than helping to reduce allergens in your home, outdoor drying can spread them onto bedding, towels, and clothing, making allergy symptoms more difficult to manage.

If you do need to rewash laundry after it's been exposed to high pollen levels, a fragrance- and dye-free detergent can help. The all® Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent is a good option for allergy-prone households, as it's formulated for sensitive skin and removes 99% of top everyday and seasonal allergens, including ragweed, grass, and tree pollen. It's widely available from Amazon.

3. High Humidity Can Leave Clothes Smelling Musty

Warm weather doesn't always mean fast drying. In humid parts of the country, including much of the Southeast and Gulf Coast, laundry can remain damp for hours, creating the perfect environment for bacteria, mold, and mildew. While the best tumble dryers are designed to dry clothes quickly regardless of the weather, outdoor air drying is far less predictable when humidity levels are high.

Professional Cleaner Trish Duarte, Franchise Owner of MaidPro Temecula and Murrieta, recommends that clothes be dry within two to six hours whenever possible. She says a musty smell is a clear warning sign that bacteria, mold, and mildew are developing and means the load should be washed again. She also recommends adding OxiClean Odor Blaster from Amazon or pure sodium percarbonate when rewashing musty laundry to help tackle lingering bacteria.

If outdoor humidity is high, drying clothes indoors with good airflow, a dehumidifier, or a heated drying rack can often produce fresher, faster results.

If you don't have space for a traditional drying rack, we tested the Eclipse™ 3-tier Ecru Clothes Drying Rack With Screen and loved it as a stylish alternative to drying clothes outside. The slim, foldable design conceals laundry behind a fabric screen while allowing air to circulate freely, making it especially useful for apartments, laundry rooms, or small homes where space is at a premium.

4. HOA Rules Could Limit Your Options

Even if you have a backyard or patio that's perfect for line drying, you may not be allowed to use it. Many homeowners' associations (HOAs) prohibit or restrict visible clotheslines for aesthetic reasons, while some local communities have their own rules governing outdoor laundry drying.

That said, protections do exist. Several states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Vermont, have enacted some form of 'Right to Dry' legislation, which limits how much HOAs and local governments can restrict residents from line drying their laundry.

Because these laws vary widely in scope, it's worth checking your HOA's bylaws, lease agreement, and local ordinances before installing or regularly using an outdoor clothesline. Even in states with 'Right to Dry' protections, there may still be reasonable restrictions on where and how clotheslines can be used.

5. Strong Sunshine Can Fade Colors Faster

Sunshine helps speed up drying, but prolonged exposure to UV rays can gradually break down fabric dyes. While the current heatwave affecting large parts of the US may seem like the perfect opportunity to dry laundry outdoors, higher temperatures are often accompanied by stronger UV levels. That combination can speed up drying, but it can also increase the risk of fading, particularly for dark or brightly colored fabrics left in direct sunlight for several hours.

Daniel Brown, CEO of Handy Cleaners, says fabrics 'might fade faster due to excessive exposure to the sun,' especially brightly colored or dark clothing. Black garments, denim, richly colored towels, and vibrant summer clothing are often the first to show signs of fading.

If you prefer drying clothes outside, turning garments inside out or hanging them in partial shade can help preserve their color for longer. Washing dark loads with a color-care detergent, such as Woolite Darks Defense Liquid Laundry Detergent, available from Amazon, can also help protect dyes from fading over time, helping your favorite pieces stay looking newer for longer despite repeated washing and sun exposure.

6. Insects Can Hitch a Ride Into Your Home

Freshly laundered clothes can attract more than just compliments. Sweet-smelling detergent residue and damp natural fibers may appeal to ants, spiders, bees, and other insects, especially during the warmer months.

Trish Duarte says insects can stain fabrics, create holes in clothing, and even leave you with an unpleasant surprise when you get dressed. 'Ants can make their way onto your clothes, and some can bite,' she says.

Bringing laundry inside as soon as it's dry and giving each item a quick shake before folding or placing it in the laundry basket can help prevent unwanted summer pests from making their way indoors. If you're storing freshly washed linens or seasonal clothing, adding natural cedar blocks to closets and drawers can provide an extra layer of protection against fabric pests.

The Homode Cedar Blocks for Clothes Storage, available on Amazon, are made from aromatic cedar and can be tucked into drawers, storage bins, or hung in closets to help deter clothes moths while keeping stored fabrics smelling fresh.

Shop Clothes Drying Essentials

Drying clothes outside remains one of the simplest and most energy-efficient ways to do laundry, and in the right conditions, it's an excellent way to help clothes last longer. But when pollen counts are high, humidity slows drying, UV rays are particularly intense, or stormy weather is on the horizon, moving your laundry indoors can help protect fabrics while keeping them smelling fresh.

The good news is that you don't have to rely on the dryer to achieve great results. A well-placed drying rack, heated airer, or dehumidifier can help clothes dry quickly indoors while shielding them from the elements. By matching your drying method to the weather and season, you'll get the best of both worlds: the fabric-care benefits of air drying without the drawbacks that sometimes come with hanging laundry outside.

The Spot+Scrub Ai marks a shift for Dyson as its first robot vacuum to combine suction with a built-in mop. It's also the first real attempt at the wet-and-dry category dominated by rivals for years.

When it comes to vacuuming, particularly on carpet and pet hair, it's a strong contender for one of the best robot vacuums I've tried. When it comes to mopping, it falls short.

At $1,199, this isn't a cheap appliance, and after four weeks of testing, I found the Spot+Scrub Ai does most of what Dyson promises, just not all of it. Read on to find out where it excels, and where it let me down.

The One-Minute Summary

Dyson's first entry into the best vacuum-mops category combines serious vacuuming credentials with a disappointing mop.

Across four weeks of testing with a dog and children in the house, it cut my manual vacuuming by more than 90%, the biggest reduction I've seen from any robot vacuum I've tested. Its carpet and pet hair performance consistently impressed me more than my own upright Dyson, and its see-through dustbin reinforces that, regularly revealing just how much debris and hair it's pulling out of carpets I thought were already clean.

In standardized testing, the Spot+Scrub Ai handled sugar and lentils cleanly, but treated scattered cereal as an obstacle rather than mess, working through it in a stop-start pattern that often left pieces behind. It's a similar story with mopping, where ketchup cleared well, mustard was simply smeared around, and a foam trail left by the wet roller would occasionally trigger the robot into a repeated stain-removal loop until it gave up entirely. Over several weeks, I found myself mopping manually more often than I'd like.

The dock handles roller washing and bin emptying automatically, though the bin's release mechanism isn't obvious without checking a video first. If you're after the best robot vacuum for vacuuming and pet hair, this is one of the strongest I've tested. If mopping matters just as much, the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller remains the more dependable all-rounder, and it's the robot vacuum I always come back to at home when I'm not testing anything else.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Specifications

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Setup

Getting the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai up and running took a little longer than most robot vacuums I've tested, but that's not a huge surprise for a model with this many moving parts. Inside the box is the robot itself, the docking station, and a docking ramp. The two side sweepers (one red, one blue) and charging cable are in a separate tray, and all of it is packaged neatly and in easy-to-recycle packaging.

The docking ramp clicks onto the front of the station, and the charging cable connects at the back, at which point an LED confirms it's live. This LED was flashing red for a long time, and I wasn't sure what the error was until I filled the clean water tank, at which point it turned white.

To fill this tank, lift it out using its handle, lift the blue rubber flap on the back of the dock, and pour in your floor cleaner. Dyson recommends only using its own 02 Probiotic hard floor cleaning solution, but it doesn't include a bottle in the box, which means spending another $23.99 on top of what is already an expensive robot vacuum.

You can, in theory, use any hard floor cleaning solution or even skip this step completely, but this can cause problems with excess foaming – as I explain more about in the Performance section – and could invalidate your warranty. Once the solution is added, unclip the tank's lid and top it up with clean water before slotting it back into place.

Attaching the side sweepers is the easiest part of the process: turn the robot over on a soft surface, and click the red sweeper into the left mount and the blue one into the right.

Once assembled and positioned, the smart home setup via the MyDyson app is quick and easy. With the robot placed on the dock, the app walks you through connection, and you confirm the pairing by pressing the Power and Home buttons on the robot.

The robot then does a mapping run. Mine created a decent first map in a little under 15 minutes – although it thought my garden was an extra room. Obstacles, furniture, and room boundaries were identified, and the robot was then ready to start deep cleaning my home.

The app recommends charging the robot to 100% before running the initial deep clean, although mine managed it on 52% (the level of battery it had straight out of the box). The dock then takes care of all the prep, including washing the roller mop. All you need to do is clear the floor.

In my test, this initial setup took around 25 minutes, including water tank filling and the first mapping run. This puts it on par with the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller, which I found similarly quick to map but more fiddly to assemble.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Design and Features

The Spot+Scrub Ai is unmistakably and unapologetically a Dyson, complete with its red, purple, and gray colour scheme running throughout.

The dock is matte gray with a large, see-through dustbin on the left that has Dyson's iconic purple plastic lid with red clips and buttons. Next to this dustbin are two cylinders: one with a small, filled purple circle on the top (clean tank, right-hand side) and one with an outline of a circle (dirty tank, center).

It's not immediately clear which is the clean tank and which is the dirty water reservoir, and even now, after a month of testing, I occasionally forget and have to remove each to see which has the cleaning solution port behind it, and is therefore the clean tank.

Below the tanks are the two charging ports and the textured ramp where the robot sits when it's charging.

The charging cable that comes with the dock isn't very long, which limited where in my kitchen I could set it up so it was close enough to a plug but not in the way. Dyson's manual recommends putting the dock against a wall, on a level surface, with at least 19.7 inches of clearance around the sides and a staggering 59 inches in front, which narrows down suitable locations even more.

As does the fact that this isn't a unit you can tuck unobtrusively into a corner; at 17.9 inches high, 17.3 inches wide, and 20 inches deep, it has a large physical footprint, and I'd recommend checking the space in your own kitchen or boot room before committing.

As a side note, 59 inches is almost 5 ft, and for a lot of kitchens that will be impossible. I positioned mine in a much smaller area, and it had ample space to move around.

The robot itself is a round disc made of matte black plastic. Power and Home buttons sit on the top, and a status light between the buttons pulses white when charging and turns amber if something is wrong.

Just behind these buttons is a hinged panel marked Filter, where you'll find the removable built-in dustbin and filter. To access this bin and filter, you need to push the bottom of the robot up to release the latch. This isn't immediately clear and can be fiddly.

Flip the robot over, and you'll see the wet roller on the front half, which consists of a horizontal blue microfiber cylinder. The two side sweepers, which are used for pulling trapped debris from corners and edges sit above it.

Behind the wet roller is the anti-tangle brush bar, a shorter red-bristled roller beneath a hinged cover with a red release tab, two large treaded wheels and a camera and sensor cluster is built into the front.

According to Dyson, the wet roller uses a "12-point hydration system" that refreshes the roller with heated water on every rotation rather than dragging a single damp pad around the floor. It also extends to both the left and right as and when needed for better baseboard cleaning.

A camera and sensor cluster is built into the front edge, and this is where the Spot+Scrub Ai's stain-detection system lives. This system beams a blade of green light over the floor to spot and catch dust, crumbs, and stains that can sometimes be missed in normal lighting.

On carpet, for example, the AI lifts the wet roller out of the way to avoid spreading stains, while the dry brush bar retracts when it senses liquid, so wet messes don't dirty the roller.

The HD camera then sits just above this light strip, sending what the light sees to an onboard AI processor that compares the image against a reference bank of nearly 200 different substances, from food and liquid to pet mess and hidden dust.

This AI decides how the robot should respond, and all of this happens locally on the robot itself rather than in the cloud, which Dyson positions as a privacy benefit as much as a speed one.

The dock then handles everything else. Its cyclonic system empties the robot's bin, while the wet roller is washed in 60°C water and dried with 45°C warm air, ready for the next cycle without you touching it.

All of this runs through the MyDyson app, which – if you've used any smart Dyson product before – will be instantly recognisable and is where all of your Dyson appliances and tools live.

If you haven't used the app before, it has a black background with white text and icons. The home screen shows a 3D render of the robot and dock, sitting above a navigation bar split into Overview, Manage maps, and Product settings tabs. From Overview, you get a live status showing battery percentage, current activity (washing or drying the wet roller), and an Activity history screen where you can check previous cleans.

The Manage maps tab is where the floor plan lives, and tapping into a clean brings up a "Set up clean" screen with two toggles at the top: Room and Target. This lets you either select specific rooms or draw a target zone for one-off cleans.

For the cleans themselves, you can switch between Auto, Quick, Quiet, and Boost cleaning modes, choose vacuum-only, wash-only, vacuum-then-wash or even adjust hydration level, plus create cleaning schedules. It's a similar level of control to the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller and is one of the best parts of the Spot+Scrub Ai in my opinion.

Maintenance features are built into the app too. You can check the condition of brushes, filters, and bags, see when parts need replacing, and order spares directly. Plus, it's a good place to start if your robot vacuum keeps getting stuck or isn't working as it should.

What Is the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Like to Use?

Living with the Spot+Scrub Ai is mostly hands-off, which is the point of a robot in this category, but the app takes longer to get used to than the interface suggests.

The basics are easy, but where it often slowed me down was room identification. The dark background and white labelling look sharp, but the room icons on the map aren't always easy to tell apart, and working out which numbered room matched which actual space in my home took some trial and error. Zooming and panning around the 3D map view is also less smooth than the flat 2D view, which I found easier to read during a clean.

The robot moves with the deliberate pace I'd expect from a LiDAR-equipped robot – it knows where it is and easily moves around and avoids furniture legs, shoes, and messy cables left on the floor. It also moves well over the thresholds between rooms.

I have a high threshold between the Karndean flooring in my kitchen and the solid wood of my hallway and the Spot+Scrub Ai didn't once hesitate or get tripped up by this in the same way other robots – even robots that cost a similar amount – have in the past.

Where the AI navigation is less convincing is how it interprets what it finds. You can visibly see the robot reacting to mess and on the most part, this is impressive. The Spot+Scrub Ai can return to areas time and again until it's successfully cleared the mess.

However, there were several occasions where I watched it treat larger debris as obstacles, rather than mess. It would approach, pick up a piece, divert, approach again, pick up another, divert again, rather than running a few passes over the whole area the way it does with finer debris. It would then effectively give up and say 'clean complete,' which meant I had to finish the job manually.

Finally, onto noise. When I first started using the Spot+Scrub Ai, it rattled and was annoyingly loud until I realised the cover on the dry brush compartment hadn't been locked into place properly, after which it was near-on silent during cleans.

The only time its noise felt intrusive was at the end of cleans when the dock automatically emptied the dustbin. It also makes a low hum when it cleans the mop, and that hum lasts for a few hours as the dock dries the mop too, but neither is a problem, and you soon get used to it.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Vacuuming Tests

To assess how well the Spot+Scrub Ai handles different types of mess, I ran a set of standardized tests on both hard floor and carpet, scattering a quarter cup each of sugar, lentils, and cereal across the floor with some pushed into corners and edges.

Sugar is used as a stand-in for fine debris like dust, lentils are a good proxy for medium debris, and cereal represents larger crumbs, kibble, or similar.

Sugar and lentils were handled well on both surfaces. The Spot+Scrub AI lifted around 95% of the remnants cleanly in a single pass without scattering further across the floor and picked up the rest on a second pass.

I was consistently impressed, both during these fine and medium debris tests and in day-to-day use, by how much was picked up and emptied into the dock each time.

Having the see-through bin helps with this, and it regularly highlights just how dirty my floor can be (even when it's recently been manually vacuumed), and just how much the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai collects.

The standout performance and depth of cleaning, on carpet particularly, also makes the Spot+Scrub Ai a fantastic robot vacuum for pet hair.

Not only could I see just how many hairs had been collected on each run thanks to the see-through dustbin again, but even while building Lego, playing chess or sitting on the floor with my dog, I noticed far fewer dog hairs ending up on my hands, the board or the pieces. This was more impressive than my upright Dyson and gave me huge confidence about how clean my floors were with the Spot+Scrub Ai.

Even areas my dog tends to settle in, which usually need a manual vacuum to remove the dander once a day, stayed visibly clearer for longer than I'm used to.

Sadly, this performance set my expectations so high that when the Dyson performed so poorly with large debris, it made it all the more disappointing.

Rather than clearing the scattered cereal pieces in a few passes – or at all in some cases – the robot seemed to treat them more like obstacles than mess. When used in Room mode, the vacuum worked relatively methodically and was able to capture most of the large debris other than pieces at the edges of rooms and furniture. It wasn't perfect, and it didn't live up to its performance with fine and medium debris, but it was passable.

In Target mode however, when cleaning hardwood floors as well as carpet, the Spot+Scrub Ai consistently failed at the most basic of tasks.

It would often approach a piece of debris, recoil slightly as if it was an obstacle, go back to it, pick it up, divert slightly, approach the next piece, bounce away from it, return to pick it up, divert again and repeat.

It worked in a stop-start pattern rather than running a clean sweep over the area, and this meant that sometimes it cleared the lot, but at other times it only cleared small pockets of debris. It would then announce it had finished and return to the dock, leaving me to finish the job myself again with a manual sweep or vacuum.

In practical terms, and for most day-to-day messes and general upkeep of the house, I can hardly fault the vacuuming prowess of the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai. It cut my manual vacuuming by in excess of 90% – the biggest reduction I've seen in all my time testing robot vacuums. I still used my cordless vacuum on carpets and stairs every weekend, but for daily maintenance, the robot handled most of the work.

I rarely have spills that involve large debris, so beyond the standardized tests, its poor cereal performance didn't make a noticeable impact on my everyday life. It's most definitely worth noting and is a significant flaw in an otherwise brilliant vacuum, but it didn't end up being a dealbreaker.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Mopping Tests

As the first Dyson robot vacuum to come with a mop, a feature that was missing from its predecessor, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav, I was most excited to see if Dyson's vacuuming expertise could expand to mopping. Sadly, it didn't.

I tested its mopping skills using our standard two-stains method. For the first test, I poured a quarter cup of ketchup onto my kitchen floor; for the second, I used a quarter cup of mustard.

The ketchup, which is slightly thinner, was cleared reasonably well. The mop lifted it within a couple of passes without much residue left behind.

Mustard, being thicker, didn't fare nearly as well.

The robot moved over it repeatedly but largely just spread it around rather than lifting it away. Similar to how it handled the large debris, the vacuum incorrectly concluded it had finished, even when there were still large blobs of mustard on the floor. It scanned the area, announced it was done, and returned to the dock.

After both tests, the floor felt sticky rather than clean, and even when my husband returned home three hours later, he said he could still smell ketchup.

The issues didn't stop there, though. The wet roller would leave trails of foam, evenly spaced, behind it as it worked. Unless caught early, these trails would dry and become water marks, and you could visually see the route the Spot+Scrub Ai had taken.

On the odd occasion, the stain-detection system that makes the robot so attentive to spills also made it overly sensitive to problems like the foam trails. It kept reading each foam trail as a fresh stain; it would then spin back around to deal with it, which would leave more foam behind it, which it would read as a stain, and it got stuck in a stain removal loop to the point I had to send it back to the dock manually.

On one hand, this may be my fault for not using Dyson's own solution. On the other, it's poor form that you're forced to spend more on a very specific product to not have to suffer poor performance. Plus, I've never had this problem using my own solution with any other robot vacuum-mop I've tested, so it's hugely disappointing.

After mopping, floors were left slightly damp but not soaked on the default hydration settings, but you can increase or reduce how much water is used in the app. In most cases, they were dry enough to walk on comfortably within five minutes, albeit a bit sticky.

Over several weeks of testing, I found myself actively avoiding using the mopping feature on the Dyson and mopping manually more often, which is far from ideal.

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai: Maintenance

One of the main reasons to buy a robot vacuum is to cut down on day-to-day chores rather than add to them, and the Spot+Scrub Ai is a mixed result on that front.

Most routine maintenance is meant to be handled by the dock. After each run, it empties the dustbin, washes the wet roller to stop odor and dries it with warm air automatically. During my tests, the roller always came out clean and dry and never damp or musty.

Hair management is also good, helped by the anti-tangle design on the main brush bar. With a dog in the house and my long hair, I still needed to check the brush bar every couple of weeks and pull out the odd wrapped strand by hand, rather than never touching it at all but it was minimal.

Day-to-day, the clean and dirty water tanks are easy to lift out and refill, but the dustbin itself is trickier, and I had to watch a video to work out how to empty it – it's very easy once you know how, but it's not immediately obvious.

The bin and filter assembly pops up from a hinged panel on top of the robot with a gentle press, and both the robot's filter and the docking station's filter can be rinsed under a tap and left to dry for 24 hours before refitting. The wet roller and brush bar slide out in a similar way, each released by a button or tab rather than anything more involved.

Dyson recommends washing filters monthly and replacing the water filter in the dock annually, and the MyDyson app doesn't yet flag these reminders automatically in the way some rival robot vacuums do, so it's on you to keep track in the Product Settings menu.

It does, however, let you order replacement parts from the app, and because knowing how to clean a robot vacuum is key to extending its lifespan, this is a welcome touch.

Overall, maintenance sits somewhere between hands-off and hands-on. Topping up water, emptying the dirty tank, and the occasional hair check are unavoidable, but the dock does handle the bulk of the day-to-day work without intervention. For a robot at this price, that's about what I'd expect, even if it isn't quite as effortless as the most hands-off robots on the market.

How Does the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Compare?

Against the eufy Omni S1 Pro, our current favorite robot vacuum, the Spot+Scrub Ai's biggest advantage is its dock, which stores debris for up to 100 days versus the eufy's 60. That means longer stretches between having to manually empty the bin. The eufy edges it on overall vacuuming and mopping consistency, though, and fewer of the stain-detection quirks I encountered.

The Roborock Saros Z70 sits at a similar level but takes a different approach, using a mechanical arm to physically pick up socks, tissues, and other small objects from the floor. It's a novel answer to a problem the Spot+Scrub Ai still hasn't solved, given how it treated cereal more like an obstacle than a mess during my tests.

For a more direct mop comparison, the Dreame Aqua 10 Roller offers stronger suction on paper at 30,000 Pa against the Dyson's 18,000 Pa, along with a longer-running self-cleaning system that I found much more dependable on tougher stains. The Dreame Aqua 10 Roller is my go-to robot vacuum at home when I'm not reviewing alternative models, which says a lot about how highly I rate it.

Alternatively, if budget is the priority, the Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 costs less but still offers a capable clean across both vacuuming and mopping. It doesn't match the Spot+Scrub Ai's hair pickup on carpet, but for homes without pets that gap may not justify Dyson's premium.

How I Tested the Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai

I used the Spot+Scrub Ai as my main robot vacuum for four weeks, running it across hard flooring and carpet, with a dog, children, and the usual day-to-day mess that comes with both.

Alongside daily cleans, I ran our standardized vacuum tests, scattering a quarter cup each of sugar, lentils, and cereal on both hard floor and carpet to assess fine, medium, and large debris pickup, and setting two stains, ketchup and mustard, on hard flooring to test the mopping function.

I tracked how the robot navigated my home, how it handled the dock's self-cleaning and self-emptying cycles, and how the MyDyson app held up across day-to-day scheduling, room management, and cleaning history.

Next, learn how to choose the best vacuum for every home and budget.

So you've just picked up a gorgeous new set of bedding, but should you wash sheets, covers, and pillowcases before sleeping in them for the first time?

As our laundry experts advise − yes, you should, every time you add a piece to your collection.

Here's why this simple step is so crucial for washing, drying, and caring for your bed linen, and how it could play a role in your health.

There's something about a new set of the best bed sheets that always instantly elevates your bedroom space. Whether you opt for bright colors and bold patterns or calming neutrals and crisp whites, it's an easy way to breathe new life into your sanctuary, and it can even help you to sleep better, too.

But, warns Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert, CEO and Founder of Juliette, a New York-based premium laundry service, don't rush to make the bed with your new addition too quickly.

'"New" doesn't necessarily mean 'clean,' she explains. 'Before sheets reach your home, they've often been treated with finishing agents to improve their appearance and have traveled through factories, warehouses, and shipping facilities.'

For that reason, Rechelle always recommends washing them first (not doing so is a bad habit that makes your bed unsanitary) to help remove these residues, soften the fabric, improve breathability, and create a cleaner, more comfortable environment.

As Samantha Shpeen, Controller and Chief Home Officer at Clean Cult, adds, there's a comfort pay-off, too. 'Washing lets the fibers relax, so sheets that may feel stiff out of the packaging come out softer and more breathable from night one.'

How to Wash New Bed Sheets: For Fresh-Smelling, Unparalleled Softness

If you've got a new set of bed sheets that need washing, and aren't clued up on how to avoid common bedding mistakes, the process is simple:

• Check the care label for the relevant laundry symbols
• Use a gentle, non-bio laundry detergent, such as the Seventh Generation Concentrated Free & Clear Laundry Detergent, available at Amazon. As your bed sheets are next to your skin all night as you sleep, it's best to choose something that's suitable for sensitive skin with natural ingredients that won't cause a reaction as you rest. Always follow the instructions on the bottle or packaging in terms of how much detergent to add, and remember that less is always more if you want to avoid spotting any signs that you're using the wrong amount of detergent.
• Set the temperature and spin speed: Knowing the right washer and dryer settings for softness is crucial when washing bedding. In general, bedding is best washed on a hot temperature setting (90-130° Fahrenheit) and medium spin speed, though for linen and silk types, a cold and lower setting should be selected instead.
• Then, either take advantage of the benefits of air-drying laundry, which will naturally freshen your sheets and kill any lingering bacteria, or tumble-dry your sheets with dryer balls, available at Walmart, for added softness.

Once done, your brand new bedding is ready to adorn your bed, whether you're layering your bed for summer, or making your bed look cozy in winter.

What to Shop

From laundry detergents and drying racks to wool dryer balls and linen spray, my curated selection of products, which you can shop below, has got you covered.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Just like bedding, you should also always wash new towels before using them for the first time.

For more laundry and sleep advice, you can sign up for our newsletter so you never miss the latest features.

Small, compact cleaning gadgets are having a real moment right now, especially as more of us look for easier ways to stay on top of everyday mess without constantly hauling out a full-sized vacuum or heavier cleaning equipment. The latest ALDI Find taps neatly into that shift – and it lands just in time for the busy summer season.

Launching in stores on 1 July, the Ambiano Portable Vacuum Cleaner comes in a choice of black or white, offering a sleek, minimalist finish that feels more like a modern home accessory than a bulky utility appliance. Its compact, lightweight design is exactly what makes it so appealing – it is small enough to sit neatly alongside other vacuum cleaners without taking up the same level of space, while also offering a quick alternative to dragging out a cordless vacuum for smaller everyday messes.

It is easy to leave on a countertop, tuck on a shelf, or store in a kitchen cabinet without taking over valuable space. I currently own the Shark WANDVAC Cordless Hand Vac from Amazon, and I wouldn't be without a cordless vacuum. It is a godsend for small spills, messes and sucking up my cats fur, which just seems to get everywhere.

Given ALDI’s reputation for new launches selling out quickly, we expect this one to fly off shelves once it arrives in stores.

A Compact Design That Fits Real Life

There is no setup, no fuss, and no reason to delay tackling a mess. It is the kind of tool you can grab in seconds – whether it is crumbs after breakfast, flour spilled while baking, or bits of soil tracked in from the garden.

The small size is a genuine advantage in busy homes, particularly in kitchens and open-plan spaces where mess tends to happen in real time. Instead of waiting for a 'proper clean,' it encourages quick, immediate tidy-ups that keep things feeling under control throughout the day.

It is especially useful for those in-between moments when you would not bother pulling out a full-sized vacuum or cordless vacuum, but still want surfaces looking presentable in seconds.

Why Choose a Handheld Vacuum?

I have to admit, I have always been a fan of a handheld vacuum for exactly this reason. There is something incredibly satisfying about spot-cleaning as you go – whether it is clearing crumbs from the dining table after lunch, tidying around the hob while cooking, or doing a quick pass over the sofa before guests arrive.

It takes the pressure off those small messes that would not usually justify pulling out a full-sized vacuum or cordless vacuum, removing that mental load of ‘I will deal with it later’ because it takes seconds rather than becoming a full cleaning task. In a busy household, that small shift makes a noticeable difference to how calm and put-together a space feels throughout the day.

A Surprisingly Useful Tool For Floorcare

In terms of floor care, the Ambiano Portable Vacuum works best as a supporting tool rather than a replacement for your main vacuum. It is particularly useful for hard flooring such as laminate, vinyl, tile, and engineered wood, where small debris like crumbs, dust, and grit can gather quickly. It really shines in those awkward in-between areas – along baseboards, in corners, and around dining chairs – where larger vacuums are less convenient to manoeuvre. It is also ideal for entryways, where dirt and debris are regularly tracked in and can easily spread further through the home if left. Used alongside a regular vacuuming routine, it helps maintain a consistently cleaner floor with minimal effort.

Tackle Pet Hair, Spills, And Everyday Mess

While you may still need a vacuum for pet hair with stronger suction for deeper cleans, this compact option is ideal for everyday spot cleaning and quick touch-ups. For pet owners, it is especially handy for lifting loose fur from sofas, cushions, stairs, and pet beds before it has a chance to build up or spread through the home.

Rather than waiting for a full cleaning session, it allows you to tackle shedding as it happens – keeping surfaces looking tidier with minimal effort. It is just as useful for everyday messes, from dried crumbs in the kitchen and cereal under the dining table to dust and debris that quickly reappear in high-traffic areas like entryways and living rooms.

Shop Alternative Handheld Vacuums

The Ambiano Portable Vacuum is an affordable handheld cleaning tool that fits easily into everyday routines and stores almost anywhere, making it more likely to be used regularly rather than left out of reach. With strong demand expected, this ALDI Find is likely to sell out quickly once it hits stores.

Few things beat slipping into bed beneath freshly laundered sheets. But if you want that crisp, just-washed feeling to last longer, laundry experts say there's one unexpected pantry staple that can help: cornstarch.

Affordable, versatile, and probably already in your kitchen cupboard, cornstarch can help keep your bed sheets looking crisp and feeling fresher for longer, giving them that luxurious, hotel-quality finish without the hefty price tag.

Here's why it's what's missing from your routine when it comes to washing, drying, and caring for your bed linen.

Why Does Corn Starch Work to Make Bed Sheets Crisper and Fresher

As Rechelle Balanzat, Laundry Expert and Founder of Juliette, a New York-based premium laundry service, explains, this old-school DIY trick works by leaving a very thin layer of cornstarch on the fabric. This creates a light structure, giving sheets a crisper appearance while helping to minimize wrinkles.

'As cleaning sheets dry, this layer helps sheet fabric maintain its shape by holding a crisper finish and a cleaner appearance,' she says. According to Parima Ijaz, Textile Expert and Founder of Pure Parimaa, this technique works especially well on percale sheets (a closely woven fabric commonly used for the best cooling sheets), as their naturally matte, crisp weave complements the added structure from the starch. 'The result is an even more tailored look and feel,' she explains.

There are a few important caveats to keep in mind, though. 'Remember that cornstarch is not for cleaning sheets,' Rechelle warns. 'It enhances the look and feel of bedding that has already been freshly cleaned and pressed. Think of it as the finishing touch that gives your bedding a polished, hotel-quality look.'

Parima also cautions against overusing the technique. Frequent or excessive starching can gradually build up on fabric fibers, reducing softness over time and potentially affecting the material's long-term performance. 'For best results, use this technique occasionally when you want an extra-crisp finish,' she advises. It's an easy way to elevate luxury bedroom ideas or make a bed look more expensive without investing in new bedding.

How to Use Corn Starch In Your Bedding Laundry Routine

It couldn't be simpler to use this trick to keep sheets fresher between washes.

'Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch (available at Walmart) with two cups of water, and add the solution during the rinse cycle,' advises Parima. Use a measuring spoon and cup from Amazon for accurate measurements.

'If possible, pour it into your washer's fabric softener compartment to ensure it disperses evenly and avoids direct contact with your linens. Once washed, tumble dry on low heat and remove promptly. Your sheets should emerge feeling smoother, crisper, and more refined.'

What to Shop

If you're interested in giving this secret laundry ingredient a go yourself, below, you can browse everything you'll need, along with a selection of my favorite bedding and accessories for the ultimate hotel experience at home.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Rechelle concludes, 'It is not a suggestion for every wash, but it is a great option for you if you love the smooth and structured feel of freshly pressed sheets.' Pair it with airing your bedding every morning to avoid trapping bacteria.

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In cases where a second vacuum cleaner is required for more robust cleaning (que tidying up after some DIY or sweeping up patio debris), a wet and dry vacuum cleaner will give you the versatility you're after since, after all, you should already have one of the best vacuums to use day to day.

I've tested the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum to see if it can fulfil its mission of providing a 'powerful, convenient cleaning performance'. For one week, every other day, I have challenged it with: removing debris from the patio, blowing leaves out from underneath a table on the patio (using the blower function), lifting cereal and flour from hard flooring, and even removing water from the kids' sandpit.

The WD5 P has a 1100-watt motor to deliver superior air flow, and a 6.6-gallon container capacity for wet or dry debris. It'll remove the debris that you do not want your household vacuum to tackle, and I've found that it's a good appliance to have before pressure washing the patio (for example).

My One Minute Verdict

Easy to set up and simple to use with brilliant results, the Karcher WD5 P wet & dry vacuum cleaner is certainly one of the better wet & dry vacuums that I have used in a long time.

The 1100-watt motor delivers powerful suction to clear fine dust and heavy debris, and the built-in blower will quickly move dirt and debris from hard-to-reach places. It is a top-mounted design, which means that it is suitable for dry and wet debris, indoors and outdoors, but you'll need to swap out the fleece filter bag for any liquid pick-up.

It's one of six wet and dry vacuum cleaners by Karcher, with the WD5 P positioned toward the higher end. For example, it'll dent the wallet by $249, whereas the Karcher WD4 is $199, and the WD3 is $99.99. It is, however, robust. I've also tested the Karcher WD4, and I found that it is overall more powerful (despite having the same 1100-watt motor), more robust, and much easier to move around.

Throughout testing, though, the 26ft/5m power cable came up short. The 11.5ft suction hose is also gangly. And the 84dB noise level causes a stir.

A wet and dry vacuum cleaner that more closely resembles a cordless vacuum, such as the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum, may be the better option if this noise and practicalities are likely to bother you. Alternatively, the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum is compact enough to take outside to the car and leave it there to clear up after any little accidents, like spilled coffee or chip crumbs.

Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Specifications

Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Design and Features

The Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner is designed to be used on dirt created by home projects outside of the home, which your standard vacuum simply can not handle.

It has a large 6.6-gallon (25L) container, which is suitable for holding wet and dry debris. The top-mounted filter allows for quick and easy removal from the filter box – without coming into contact with dirt. This means that there is no need to remove the filter as you switch between wet and dry cleaning, but you will need to remove the fleece bag to remove any wet stuff.

The top-mount can be released to access the fleece bag by folding down the handle and lifting to remove.

The WD5 P is packed with a 1100-watt motor, which can either clean up or blow away debris. To alternate between the two functions, attach the 11.5 ft. (3.5m) suction hose to either one of the outlets. You do only have the one power setting to use either function, but I found this ample enough for lifting dry or wet debris – and blowing it too.

It has a 26ft power cable and, unless you have a power outlet outside, you may benefit from an extension cord like this 10ft Amazon Basics cord ($6.99, Amazon). And while the 11.5ft suction hose with bent handle provides some extra length during cleaning, it can make it a difficult appliance to store because it doesn't like being wrapped around the container, and it increases the height required in the shed to house it.

At the base of the container are five wheels that help to maneuver the WD5 P. These are installed as part of the setup. You can either wheel it around by the fixed handle or lift it with this handle when taking it to another space to clean.

What Is the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Like to Use?

The Karcher WD5 P wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a large appliance that'll need to be stored in the utility room or, better yet, in an outbuilding. It measures 25.7(H) x 15(W) x 16.5(L)in and weighs 19.2lbs, and when it's in use, it will get dirty.

It's designed to be used with either the floorhead or crevice tool attached to the suction tubes while removing debris off the floor, or while using the blower function. I found it easy to switch between the two different functions – blower and suction – by removing the suction tubes and tools, and turning the appliance with the one-speed dial.

The WD5 P is noticeably louder than a standard vacuum cleaner and is more in line with a pressure washer. I recorded a noise level reading of 84dB using the decibel meter reader app on my smartphone. This noise level is the same as that of the Karcher WD4, and it's equivalent to that of a passing vehicle.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

In instances when you'll be wanting to clean up dust and dead skin, I wanted to see if the Karcher WD5 P could handle it by sprinkling half a cup of flour and half a cup of sugar on our tiled floor in the utility room. The flour is also an excellent visual test, as we can spot when it's left on the floor or stuck in any of the vacuum's parts.

With the floorhead attached to the suction hose and powered by the 1100-watt motor, the WD5 P effortlessly cleared a pathway through the flour and sugar in one clear pass. All the debris made it into the fleece bag; no clouds of 'dust' escaped before, during, and after the removal, either.

Test 2: Pantry

For my next test, I spilled cereal and rice on the tiled floor in our utility room. This was to replicate a scenario where the WD5 P could face larger debris, indoors and outdoors, such as small stones, sawdust, and wood chippings.

The floorhead made a clear pathway through the rice with no grains getting stuck or blown off course. However, the cereal got pushed along by the floorhead unless I lifted and dropped the floorhead on it so that it could be vacuumed. No cereal became stuck or lodged in the hose.

Test 3: Water

As a wet and dry vacuum, I wanted to demonstrate how the WD5 P removed liquid. To do this, I used it in the yard and challenged it with the removal of rainwater from my kids' sandpit after a deluge of rain over the past few days. I figured that it would be a big help to remove and contain the rainwater prior to emptying, rather than to flood the patio and make it wet for play.

When removing liquids, you'll need to remove the bag by lifting off the top of the canister. This will prevent the fleece bag from getting weighed down by liquid and avoid frequent replacement in case the fleece starts to degrade.

For the purpose of the test, I also removed the floorhead to get a clear visual, although it is suitable for use on liquids when the bristles are raised by flipping the switch on the floorhead.

All the liquid was quickly removed from the sandpit and deposited in the container. When I turned off the appliance, water ran back down the suction tubes that were being held in by the strong suction. This is something to be aware of, especially if you're removing floodwater or spilt liquids from washing machine leaks or gas can drops.

Test 4: Attachments

The Karcher WD5 P only comes with one attachment other than the floorhead, and that is the crevice tool. This tool is suitable for targeting the suction and blower delivered by the 1100-watt motor air flow. However, over time, I wouldn't expect this attachment to get much use because you can just use the handle to the same effect.

Throughout the week-long tests, I also used the Karcher WD5 P to clear up the patio in the yard. It was littered with sand from the kids' sandpit, leaves from fall, moss from the roof, and rotting vegetation.

I stretched the 5m-long cable and reached as far round as I could before pulling the plug out of the outlet, and my toddler son wanted to take over.

The WD5 P did a great job at removing everything within its path, with all debris contained in the container. However, some debris did become lodged in the floorhead and suction hose, which limited the suction power. I noticed a shift in gears when this occurred, so I switched off the power to dislodge the tissue and twigs.

Karcher WD5 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner: Setup and Maintenance

The Karcher WD5 P wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a large appliance, so it arrives in a large delivery box. This big, branded yellow box doesn't have any handles, which makes it difficult to move into a space to set up, so I recommend having an extra pair of hands to help out.

A combination of cardboard and plastic packaging secures the parts inside the box. Inside the box are all the parts required to start using the WD5 P from the get-go. This includes: an 11.5 ft. (3.5m) suction hose, (2x) 1.8 ft. (0.5m) suction tubes, hand nozzle, crevice nozzle, a switchable wet/dry floor nozzle, automotive-style pleated filter, and a fleece filter bag. If you're buying the WD5 P in the States, you'll also receive a power tool adapter for attaching to an industrial DN 35 suction hose.

It also comes with the addition of a clip-on storage belt for securing the crevice nozzle and floor nozzle, which, although it isn't classed as an 'accessory' per se, it is a part that doesn't come with the Karcher WD4.

Upon opening, you'll find that the suction hose and five castor wheels are located inside the 6.6-gallon container. It also comes with instructions to "help" with setup, but, as with all Karcher instructions, I found these difficult to interpret and follow because there are no words to support the minuscule diagrams.

Fortunately, I could figure out what goes where using no fewer than some essential DIY skills, such as clipping and slotting together, and some thought.

To set it up, I clipped on the storage belt; attached the suction hose to the container; connected the suction tubes to the hose and hand nozzle; installed the fleece filter bag and popped on the five castor wheels. The pleated filter was already in place. This took no longer than five minutes.

All these parts will need some level of maintenance.

The fleece filter bags will need replacing when they get full, or if they get too damp from removing wet debris. How often you replace it will depend on the type of dry debris that you're removing. Replacement bags can be bought from Amazon for $16.19 (pack of 4), which can be attached by simply opening the bag and placing it inside the vacuum.

The filter bags will need to be removed when vacuuming wet debris or liquids. When this type of debris is being removed, the container will need to be wheeled over to a drain for emptying, which is OK in itself, but the container is large, so it's a bit cumbersome to lift or tip. The liquid will also be filthy dirty, and you won't want that being taken into your home.

In use, I found that the switchable wet/dry floor nozzle and suction tubes became lodged with larger debris, which stopped me in my tracks. I removed the blockage by unclipping the floor nozzle or suction tube (depending on the blockage location).

Over time, a cleaning tip that I would recommend is to wipe each part of the WD4 to keep it in a good working order. The top-mounted filter may also begin to perish and become damaged, so you'll need to replace it with a new one ($22.99, Karcher.com).

How Does the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner Compare?

The Karcher WD5 P is one of eight wet and dry vacuum cleaners from the German brand, which is available in the United States and the UK. As with half of the category, it's mains powered, whereas the other four wet and dry vacuum cleaners by the brand are battery-powered.

It's priced at $249.99 and is available to buy directly from Karcher or resellers such as Amazon (where you might find it a little cheaper). It is one of the more expensive wet and dry vacuums from the brand, with the more expensive tagged at $349.99 (Karcher WD6 PS) and the more affordable at $99.99 (Karcher WD3).

I've also reviewed the Karcher WD4 wet and dry vacuum cleaner and, after comparing the two, note that the WD5 P is generally more robust with sturdier onboard storage; one button to remove the top mount (rather than two clips at the side) and a stronger, fold-down handle. While it has the same 1100W motor as the WD4, it has a greater suction power (260 watts) and can pack away more debris into its 6.6-gallon container.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaners with a plug do fall short on what it can reach to clean because of the length of the power cable – it's just 5m in length, which can be restrictive when working on different jobs around the home. Karcher also has battery-powered wet and dry vacuums, like the WD2-18 Cordless Wet and Dry Vacuum, which is powered by an 18V / 2.5 Ah Karcher battery and has the largest container capacity (3.17 gallons) in the battery-powered category.

Alternatively, I appreciate that not everyone would be looking to have a wet and dry vacuum quiet as big as these Karchers (including the battery-powered), so, if you're after a second vacuum of this nature that is perhaps even more portable, then I'd be looking at the Shark Messmaster Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum.

This option retails for around $100, and our reviewer, Camryn Rabideau, found that it’s a powerful and versatile cleaning tool that can be used all around your home. On test, Camryn found that it had no problem sucking up spider webs, debris under car seats, and even spilled milk, and unlike a full-size shop vac, this model is quick and easy to clean. Plus, it’s compact enough to tuck into a closet when it’s not in use, so it’s ideal for anyone who has limited storage space in their home.

A wet and dry vacuum that more closely resembles a cordless vacuum is the Dreame Z30 Pro Aqua Wet-to-Dry Vacuum. As a stick vacuum, it is a lot lighter to use, and it'll do a great job of removing pet hair from hard flooring and carpets. Our reviewer, Victoria Woollaston, found that 'it's an impressive multitasker that delivers on its core promise of being a full-power cordless vacuum and floor washer in one.' The Z30 also has a self-cleaning station. However, it is almost double the price of the Karcher wet and dry vacuums, which isn't a drawback, just something to think about.

How We Test Vacuums

At Homes & Gardens, we have a dedicated and thorough procedure for how we test vacuums so we can get a like-for-like comparison between models, and to make sure we're recreating real-life circumstances.

I tested the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner as and when it was required over a two-week period. It was used on hard flooring (laminate and tiles), liquids and solids, indoors and outdoors. In addition to running all three standardized tests – flour and sugar; rice and cereal – I used it to clean the moss-heavy patio, and to remove water from the kids' sandpit. This included removing leaves, small stones, and moss fallen from the roof. I then recorded how noisy it was using the DecibelX app.

This gave me the complete picture of how this wet dry vacuum would perform in real conditions, rather than a single test session, including the practicalities of cleaning and storage, and its overall condition after the two weeks of testing.

If you're sold on getting the Karcher WD5 P Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner, then it would be wise to know about the things that you can clean with a wet-dry vacuum. However, if you only need a vacuum cleaner for removing dry debris, then check out these vacuum cleaners for pet hair, which are equally as good; just a different spec.

There are plenty of kitchen organizers that promise to free up counter space, but very few are as thoughtfully designed as Joseph Joseph's latest dish rack. If you've ever wished your drying rack could shrink after the washing-up is done, this clever design does exactly that.

The Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Expandable Dish Rack from Amazon has become one of my favorite kitchen finds because it solves a problem so many of us have: not enough space when we're washing dishes, but too much wasted space when we're not. The result is an easy way to declutter countertops and keep kitchen countertops organized without sacrificing functionality.

Instead of committing to one fixed size, this expandable rack slides open whenever you have a larger load of dishes, then neatly contracts back down to reclaim precious countertop space. It's the kind of design that makes you wonder why every dish rack isn't made this way.

It Adapts to Your Kitchen, Not the Other Way Around

What makes this rack stand out is its flexibility. The expandable body increases drying capacity in seconds, making it just as useful after hosting dinner as it is for everyday washing up.

Alongside the generous plate rack, there's a removable cutlery holder and a raised rail designed for wine glasses and delicate stemware. An integrated spout channels excess water directly into the sink, helping keep countertops dry, while non-slip feet ensure everything stays securely in place.

Unlike bulky plastic alternatives, the stainless steel finish gives it a much more premium appearance. It feels like something you'd happily leave on display rather than hide away between uses.

A Small Upgrade That Makes Daily Chores Easier

I'm always drawn to kitchen products that quietly improve everyday routines without demanding extra effort, and this is exactly that sort of purchase. It doesn't rely on gimmicks or smart technology – it simply solves a common frustration with clever engineering.

For smaller kitchens, apartments, or anyone trying to maximize every inch of countertop space, it's an especially smart investment. You get the capacity of a large dish rack when you need it, without sacrificing valuable workspace the rest of the time.

Joseph Joseph has built a reputation for rethinking everyday household essentials, and this expandable drying rack is another example of why the brand has become a favorite among professional organizers and design enthusiasts alike. It's practical, beautifully made, and one of those kitchen upgrades you'll appreciate every single day.

Shop Dish Racks

The Joseph Joseph Extend Steel Expandable Dish Rack is a smart little kitchen upgrade that genuinely makes everyday washing up easier. It expands when you need extra space, then folds down neatly to keep your counters clear – simple, thoughtful design that quietly solves a daily annoyance. It’s the kind of product that makes you wonder why you didn’t have it sooner, especially if you’re into space-saving kitchen setups like the growing over-the-sink dish rack trend gaining popularity in the US.

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