I am easily the least coordinated person I know, which is not always a winning combination in the kitchen. Glass and ceramic pieces are constantly at risk of being dropped, which is why plastic has lingered in my cabinets for so long.

Among the worst offenders are my old plastic mixing bowls, now scratched and stained from years of use. As part of my mission to create a non-toxic home, they are high on the list for replacement - and the KitchenAid Stainless Steel Nesting Bowls, available from Amazon, feel like the perfect upgrade.

Durable, versatile, and free from the concerns often associated with aging plastics, they offer a practical alternative that is particularly well suited to small kitchens. Better yet, they nest, taking up less space in my tiny kitchen. Here’s why I think they are worth the switch.

Stainless steel is one of the best options for non-toxic cookware. It is inert, meaning that it does not react with food, does not release fumes or leach harsh chemicals when heated, and is free from synthetic coatings.

While your mixing bowls are unlikely to go in the oven, plastic bowls can warp when heated over a pan for a bain-marie, or chip or scratch, especially if you are using an electric hand mixer, flaking microplastics into your meals.

Stainless steel bowls, such as the KitchenAid, on the other hand, eliminate these risks, staying pristine for longer without chipping or melting. Given they are non-reactive, they do not absorb flavors or odors, either, meaning they can be used just as easily for savory food prep as they are for sweet cake mixes − there's no more fear that my chocolate cake will come with a twinge of the weekend's barbecue marinade.

The KitchenAid bowls feature silicone bases that serve a dual purpose: Protecting the stainless steel from cosmetic scratches when nested together in kitchen storage and preventing the bowls from sliding or spinning while mixing by hand.

For someone as clumsy as me, that extra stability is surprisingly valuable. Whether I'm whisking cake batter or working through a thick dough, the bowls stay firmly in place, reducing the risk of slips, spills, and ingredients ending up anywhere but the mixing bowl. If I do drop one, I won't be worrying about cracks, either.

While I have yet to pick up the bowls for myself, I have spent the last few weeks reviewing the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer, which comes with a stainless steel bowl. It was incredibly sturdy, resisting scratches even against my metal ice cream scoop when portioning cookies. This gives me high hopes for this nesting set of three.

They are small details, but they make baking feel noticeably easier − and a lot less chaotic.

What Else to Shop

Your kitchen is one of the easiest and most impactful places to start when reducing potential toxin exposure in your home. To help you create a healthier cooking environment, I’ve rounded up some of my top picks, from non-toxic kitchen utensils and cookware, to safer drinkware and everyday swaps.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

With your new non-toxic pieces on the way, brush up on how to organize pots and pans to make ample room and avoid a fight through clutter every time you cook.

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For years, I overlooked pan organizers. My cookware lived in stacks on cabinet shelves, and I accepted the daily ritual of digging through piles whenever I needed one. It worked, but it was hardly efficient. In my tiny kitchen, I assumed there simply wasn't a better solution.

That changed by chance when I picked up an adjustable rack like the OXO Good Grips Cookware Organizer from Amazon. What I expected to be a small kitchen organizing upgrade quickly became one of the best things I have bought for my home.

The spend was immediately justified. My pans are easier to access, simpler to put away, and far less likely to get scratched or damaged. More importantly, my cabinets now feel bigger and more organized, without renovation or an extra unit. My only regret is not buying one sooner. Here's why I now consider it a non-negotiable kitchen essential.

At a basic level, introducing smart organizers into a practical space helps to reduce the appearance of mess, even without decluttering a kitchen. The same five pans will look neater and less overwhelming when slotted into a file-type organizer, such as the OXO Good Grips Cookware Organizer, available at Amazon, than when left in odd, precariously balanced piles.

The difference is intention. One looks purposeful and well thought out; the other is a neglected afterthought. It's a tiny change, but one that instantly makes a chaotic kitchen feel calmer. It helps to make a small kitchen look more expensive, too.

That said, the benefits of organizing pots and pans extend beyond reducing visual clutter in a kitchen. I have put considerable time and money into finding the best non-toxic cookware for my home, and the last thing I want is to damage my investments. Stacking can quickly chip delicate enamel and ceramic or scratch stainless steel. Quality organization is a big part of caring for every type of cookware that many of us overlook.

The OXO fixes this, with its adjustable and removable dividers; it can be reshaped to fit any size pot or pan, while the wide base prevents tipping. Two or more organizers can be easily connected, too, for expansive storage that fills a cabinet or drawer without the need to invest in custom solutions.

It's a small upgrade, but one that I now know should never be overlooked.

What Else to Shop

Pans are just part of the problem when it comes to minimizing stress in a kitchen. From utensils to loose packets, I have curated a selection of my favorite organizers to help you streamline your kitchen storage.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To further streamline your storage, clear out the items organizers never keep in kitchen cabinets.

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Kitchen scraps are surprisingly useful. From making compost to brewing stock, they have a lot of life left in them despite the name. Perhaps one of the most practical uses, however, is as a pest deterrent.

As the summer weather starts to peak, pesky bugs are at their most active, seeking suitable shelter to reproduce. Kitchen scraps can make non-toxic deterrents that make areas less attractive to pests, explains Ed Dolshun, Technical Director at Catchmaster. 'They can help with light activity, but if pests keep showing up, there is usually a food source, moisture issue, or entry point that needs to be fixed.'

These are the three scraps worth repurposing for natural pest control and how to use them to deter persistent bugs.

1. Used Coffee Grounds

Coffee grounds can help to keep bugs away and smell fantastic while doing so. Given that good-quality, ethical coffee beans can be expensive, this is a great way to further justify the spend while avoiding creating unnecessary trash at home.

As Ed Dolshun explains, 'Used coffee grounds can be particularly helpful outside around patios, trash bins, or garden edges because the strong smell can make those areas less appealing to some crawling insects. The important thing is not to overdo it. If coffee grounds sit too long and stay wet, they can start to break down and attract pests instead. I would use them as a short-term outdoor deterrent and refresh or remove them regularly.'

Collecting your coffee grounds is easiest with the best non-toxic coffee makers. I use the Bialetti Moka Pot, available at Amazon, and the grounds are simple to tap out of the funnel after each use. The Aarke French Press, from Williams Sonoma, also makes it easy. Made entirely from stainless steel, you do not need to worry about either vessel contaminating the grounds with nano or microplastics that might pollute your outdoor environment.

2. Banana Peels

Banana peels are fantastic for plants, acting as free fertilizer without added harsh chemicals. The added benefit to using this kitchen waste in your garden and pots is non-toxic pest control.

Allan Bossel, operations expert at Bed Bug Exterminator, explains, 'Banana peels are one of the underrated kitchen scraps that homeowners can use against summer pests, especially ants and aphids. What makes it effective is isoamyl acetate, which releases a strong scent when broken down.

'Simply chop the peels into small pieces and then bury them around the base of your plants to avoid attracting fruit flies and rotting in the sun. Also, you can create a nutrient boost from these scraps by soaking the chopped peels in a jar of water for two days.'

This airtight storage jar from Walmart is perfect for this, letting the skins soak without accidentally attracting pests with the sweet smell.

3. Leftover Nutmeg and Mace

There are plenty of spices that deter common garden pests, but for summer, Allan suggests leftover nutmeg and mace, usually found in abundance in pantries and kitchen cabinets after the fall and winter baking seasons. Repurposing them prevents stale spices next season, without them going entirely to waste.

'They contain myristicin, a natural plant compound that seems to deter bugs,' Allan explains. 'Nutmeg can keep termites away and mess up ant scent trails. Simply sprinkle your expired nutmeg powder right along your home's foundation to block bugs. You can even throw it in your pantry bins to ward off grain weevils or simmer it in water to make a quick bug spray for wooden patio furniture.

'However, if you’re a pet owner, keep nutmeg away from your dogs because their bodies can’t metabolize myristicin. It’s toxic for them even in small amounts.'

What Else to Consider

Natural deterrents are a fantastic first defense against an infestation; however, they should not be relied upon entirely. Doing so is one of the most common pest control mistakes.

Ed warns that natural deterrents only work if the basics are handled too. 'Keep food sealed, wipe up spills, take trash out regularly, check for moisture, and seal gaps where pests may be getting in,' he advises.

'If you are still seeing consistent activity after that, then it is usually at the point where monitoring tools or targeted traps make sense. Catchmaster’s window fly traps [from Amazon] are an easy option for kitchens and glass doors where flies tend to collect. For crawling pests, Catchmaster’s glue boards [also from Amazon] can be placed under sinks, along baseboards, in garages, basements or near entry points to help monitor what is actually getting inside. They are pesticide-free and odorless, which is helpful for households that want to avoid indoor sprays.'

What to Shop

Preventing pests requires a multifaceted approach, from the best deterrents to top cleaning tips. These are the essentials to help keep them at bay without harsh chemicals.

All prices correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

Keep an eye out for the signs it's time to call professional pest control to prevent lasting damage to your home and health.

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Cutting clutter is an everyday concern for most households, and a one-size-fits-all approach can be the easiest method to limit overwhelm.

For versatility, you really can't do better than IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box: Spacious, breathable, and easy to see the contents with a glance, it's no surprise that shoppers are buying multiple for use all around the home.

Here's why they make a worthy addition to any home organizing ideas − and what's even better? They're on clearance right now.

Storage should make your life easier, which is why lightweight, easy-to-carry options such as IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box are ideal for use all around the home.

The spacious design offers room for everything from books, board games, and art supplies to smaller everyday essentials such as toiletries, accessories, socks, and clothing. The open-mesh construction also makes it easy to see what's inside at a glance, helping you stay organized without constantly rummaging through drawers and cupboards.

The storage box comes in three understated colourways, though the grey-blue option is my personal favourite for its versatility. Smaller sizes are also available, making it easy to mix and match boxes to suit different storage needs. Better still, each box is designed to slot seamlessly into the IKEA TROFAST Storage System, allowing you to build a fully customised organisation setup from a range of configurations, sizes, and finishes.

What Shoppers Say

With an overall rating of 4.7 stars and 265 five-star reviews, it's clear that IKEA's TROFAST Mesh Storage Box is a steadfast hit with shoppers, many of whom have bought multiple.

'Great storage,' says Glenda. 'I added four large bins and two smaller bins, and this has added the storage that I needed to help clean up my sewing room.'

Rebecca shared that they were 'Just what [she] needed,' adding, 'This is a fantastic way to organize the toys. This is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.'

Elsewhere, Mark highlights how well they work with the accompanying TROFAST frames. 'I have several TROFAST cabinets,' he says. 'TROFAST has an excellent idea here: Removable and interchangeable bins organized in a convenient cubby or cabinet. Solid construction with either plastic or grid-metal bins.

'The styling hides clutter − not fancy, but presentable. Many cabinet configurations are available. They are affordable. Yes, I would recommend them as good storage units.'

Finally, a review from Stacia proves the unbeatable versatility of these mesh storage boxes − she uses hers for organizing her upright freezer.

'Shopped a bit and found these, which fit well at a great price point,' she explains. 'They are much sturdier than the plastic “bins” that came in my last freezer.'

More to Shop

Below, you can shop my essentials for overhauling your entire home's organization. With a minimum delivery fee of $35 when shopping at IKEA, you can either bulk buy the TROFAST Mesh Storage Box, or complement your purchase with one of my other favorites.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

These baskets aren't the only IKEA item shoppers are buying in bulk − IKEA's mold-proof laundry basket has also proven useful all over the home.

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There's something about the resinous scent of pine groves that instantly reminds me of long poolside days sat beneath towering Mediterranean pine trees in Crete, accompanied by the busy hum of cicadas and a rustling breeze.

Now, perfectly captured by Diptyque's new limited edition summer candle Pinède, I can bring that same scent straight home and enjoy it all summer long − and there's one unexpected benefit to burning it, too.

As pine notes work to naturally repel mosquitoes, it's also one of the very best home fragrances for creating the perfect atmosphere when hosting or relaxing al-fresco throughout the balmy months of warmer weather.

In my opinion, the best candles combine a beautiful design with an equally beautiful scent, a clean burn, and a persistent, room-filling fragrance when lit. As I've learned to expect, Diptyque's Pinède effortlessly ticks off all three.

It's not just that, though, that makes it such a perfect summer scent. Pine is also a scent that deters mosquitoes, which means lighting it is also an easy way to get rid of mosquitoes in the house naturally and get rid of mosquitoes in outdoor spaces, too, like patios, balconies, and terraces.

For that reason, while I wouldn't usually pair a scented candle with a meal indoors, it's my perfect pick for giving any outdoor dining ideas an elevated look and feel.

There's plenty more to love from the whole Diptyque summer collection, too. The Citronnelle (or lemongrass) Classic Candle is another of my favorites, and lemongrass is another plant that Martha Stewart suggests for keeping your yard mosquito-free. And, for making your house smell nice without burning candles, there's also the option of the Citronnelle Incense, available at Diptyque.

Elsewhere, my favorite Diptyque Figuier, or Fig Tree, candle also enjoys a moment in the summer spotlight.

Of course, when it comes to repelling mosquitoes, a candle, and particularly one that's not specifically designed for the task like Diptyque's Pinède, can only work so effectively (though the scent and gorgeous vessel are enough to justify the purchase either way).

So, for maximum effect and a fragrant boost, I'd recommend pairing any scents with container plants that repel mosquitoes, like rosemary, lavender, and peppermint, or trying your hand at making your own DIY natural mosquito repellents, like a lemon eucalyptus spray, lavender oil spray, or using apple cider vinegar and herbs.

More to Shop

Browse more goodness from Diptyque's limited-edition summer collection below, along with more affordable alternatives for scenting your space all throughout the warmer months.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you've found yourself wondering how long you should burn a candle, I usually stick to three hours at a time, which experts agree is the ideal length of time.

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Gone are the days of non-toxic pans costing a small fortune. As we become more mindful of the materials in our kitchen, a growing number of affordable options are proving that creating a healthier kitchen does not have to break the bank.

IKEA is a great example. Their non-toxic cookware is some of the best (trust me, I've tried some of it). Their latest success? A $25 stainless steel sauté pan that handles mid-week meals with ease.

Simple, durable, and refreshingly affordable, it makes cooking cleaner without the eye-watering price tag. It's perfect, according to shoppers. Here's why

Stainless steel is a premium choice for non-toxic cooking. Completely inert, safe for use with metal tools, and suitable for both the oven and stovetop, it offers greater versatility than delicate ceramic coatings or heavy cast iron.

The drawback is that it isn’t naturally non-stick, which can feel intimidating for less confident home cooks. But there’s no need to worry – having once been wary of cooking with stainless steel myself, I can say the learning curve is surprisingly small, with the Leidenfrost effect helping to achieve even sears without sticking.

Heat the pan over low to medium heat for a few minutes, then sprinkle a few drops of water onto the surface. When it’s ready, the droplets will glide across the pan before evaporating. At that point, add your oil and cook as usual – it’s that simple.

Because the IKEA pan is so affordable, it’s an ideal place to start. You won’t be stressing about the investment while you get comfortable with the technique, leading to a more relaxed, confident approach to cooking.

The beauty of the sauté pan is how many tasks you can use it for. From simmering to frying, it can move from stove to oven and from oven to table seamlessly, without adding to the pile of dishes by the sink. It is dishwasher-safe too, so cleaning the kitchen after dinner is a breeze.

While I have not tested this exact pan myself, the hundreds of five-star reviews from verified shoppers speak for themselves.

Verified shopper Jannett shared in their five-star review, 'It is lighter than other brands of 3- or 5-clad stainless steel pans, and the best thing is it is 9”, not 10”. It does not take up much stove space when cooking. It heats up pretty fast as well. Great for cooking one-pot pasta. It is also very easy to clean.'

Cindy added, 'I love all 365 items; they're very durable. I've had the pots for 15 plus years, and they're still in great shape.'

It's a small investment in your long-term health and well-being. What's not to like?

What Else to Shop

As with many smaller IKEA essentials, you can pick them up in-store or unlock home delivery by spending over $35. If you’re anything like me, home ordering is the safer option – an IKEA trip usually ends with three boxes of things you never planned to buy.

To help you reach the threshold, I’ve rounded up six of the best IKEA cookware accessories to bulk out your basket.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To help you separate fact from marketing fiction, I have created a guide to cookware labels and myths, so you can identify truly non-toxic cookware and choose the best cookware for your home.

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Shopping for food storage is hardly glamorous. It is often the afterthought of the kitchen, relying on tired plastic pots that usually look a little worse for wear.

Now, however, Le Creuset is offering timeless stainless-steel food containers that look just as good as its best non-toxic cookware, combining the brand's signature style with a durable, non-toxic approach to food storage.

The stainless steel pots can be used for everything from on-the-go lunches to arranging a fridge.

As a health-conscious cook, I am always looking for food storage ideas that both help to reduce food waste and limit my exposure to plastics. Stainless steel is one of the best ways to do this as a non-reactive material that is more durable than glass. As a clumsy person, this is essential to me.

The Le Creuset On The GO Boxes are made from the same quality stainless steel as their best-selling pans, including the Essential Stainless Steel Pan I reviewed not long ago. The lightweight design means that the pots are simple to pack and take with you, and are much easier to move around your kitchen than heavier glass containers if you struggle with grip or finger dexterity.

Being metal, the containers are, of course, not microwave-safe, which may prove awkward for those who like to reheat their leftovers in the same container they stored them in. That said, the steel helps to keep the contents warm if added hot, especially if it is preheated in advance, adds one reviewer.

In their five-star review, they shared, 'As someone who avoids microwaves and plastic, this has been a perfect solution. I preheat it by filling it with hot water and sealing the lid while I heat my food separately. Then I dump the water, add my food, and seal it, and it keeps everything hot really well until lunchtime.'

They may be a simple swap, but when it comes to creating a non-toxic home, few kitchen upgrades offer the same combination of practicality, durability, and sleek design while delivering everyday peace of mind.

What Else to Shop

From non-toxic food storage to essential care tools that keep them performing at their best, I’ve curated six healthier kitchen swaps designed to reduce potential exposure and create a more mindful cooking environment.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Looking for something a little more fun for your summer food storage? Le Creuset has quietly relaunched its coveted summer fruit cocottes, perfect for summer hosting.

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My One Minute Verdict

The Karcher WD 6 P is not a vacuum for the faint-hearted. At 21.2lb / 9.6kg with a 7.9-gallon / 30-liter stainless steel tank, it most definitely earns its industrial, wet/dry shop title. It's a machine built for the kind of mess your everyday cordless won't touch, like flooded garages, workshop sawdust, post-renovation rubble, and anything liquid or heavy that has no business going near a regular vacuum.

When it works, it really works – and it’s a strong contender for the best vacuum for pet hair in the right setting. The suction is impressively powerful; my chocolate Labrador’s hair disappeared from hard floors and upholstery in a single pass. The blower function is equally effective, making quick work of leaf clearing and even blasting away water balloon debris scattered across the garden.

On carpet, the brushes on the main vacuum nozzle make the head stick and drag rather than glide, and on smooth hard floors, the same brush strips pushed debris around rather than picking it up cleanly.

This made it abundantly clear that the Kärcher WD 6 P is designed for rougher, uneven surfaces – garages, patios, workshops – rather than everyday flooring. Switching to wet mode, where the rubber lips take over from the brush strips, is a much more satisfying experience, and the machine's true strength lies in liquid pickup and heavy outdoor tasks.

Elsewhere, it's not an easy vacuum to build. Setup took close to 20 minutes – longer than any vacuum I've tested. Once built, it's also a beast of a machine and takes up a lot of space, which saw it quickly relegated to the garage.

At $349.99, this is a premium investment in a very specific kind of cleaning. If you have a garage, workshop, or outdoor space that regularly generates mess, it may well be the most capable tool you own. Especially if you have the storage space to match. For DIY fans, the integrated power tool socket on the front lets you plug your sander or drill directly into the machine and the vacuum starts and stops in sync with your tool, capturing dust at the source without any extra effort. Yet it is ultimately a niche recommendation.

If you're hoping for a versatile everyday vacuum that also handles the odd spill – especially if you have a low tolerance for noise and friction – you're better off with a standard wet-to-dry upright, like the Dreame H14 Pro or the Dyson V15 Detect.

Kärcher WD 6 P: Specifications

Kärcher WD 6 P: Design and Features

There is nothing subtle about the WD 6 P. It's unapologetically large, bulky and bright yellow. The 7.9-gallon / 30-liter stainless steel tank sits on five castors and is topped by a yellow motor head that houses the controls, filter system and accessory storage.

As with the rest of the Karcher range, it's a design that says workshop rather than home, which is exactly what Karcher intends – this vacuum is built for the kind of heavy-duty mess that a domestic canister or cordless simply can't handle.

The motor delivers 1,300W of rated input power and 300W of suction power – figures that put it well ahead of the Kärcher WD 5's 1,100W, and on par with the Bosch AdvancedVac 20's 300W suction, despite the Bosch drawing only 1,200W. The stainless steel tank is noticeably more durable than the plastic containers on lower-priced wet-dry vacs and is designed to withstand abrasive debris.

One of the WD 6 P's standout features is its push-button filter cleaning system, which Kärcher calls pulse technology. A single press sends a burst of air through the flat pleated filter, dislodging accumulated hidden dust back into the tank and restoring full suction power. This is particularly useful when vacuuming fine dust without a filter bag.

The flat pleated filter is also designed to stay dry during wet pickup – it sits in a top-mounted filter box that doesn't come into contact with liquid. This means you can switch between wet and dry tasks without removing or changing the filter. You do have to remove the fleece dustbag when switching to wet vacuuming, though (which I have forgotten on several occasions to my despair.)

On the front of the motor head is a rotary dial that you turn left to control the suction/blow power of the vacuum, and to the right to control the integrated power tool socket. This socket sits next to the dial and lets you plug in external tools to either provide power without the need for a separate extension lead, or it can be used to set the vacuum to switch on and off in sync with the tool. This is a useful feature during sanding or drilling and is something its predecessor, the WD 5 lacked.

An 8m (26.2ft) cord and 2.2m (7.2ft) hose then give the WD6 P a total working radius of just over 10m (33.5ft), which is more than enough for most workshops or large rooms. I could vacuum all rooms on my entire ground floor and into my garden without having to swap to different plugs.

The hose connects to two stainless steel extension tubes, a removable handle, and the floor nozzle. The other attachments include a crevice nozzle for baseboards, stair edges, and corners. A 1m (3.3ft) flexible hose is also included for connecting to the dust port on a power tool, and there's a bent handle you attach to the tubes to give you better control across the floor.

The floor nozzle is relatively narrow for a machine this size, which does limit how well it covers open floor areas, but allows it to get into tighter spots. It has a lever on the side that switches between two modes – dry, where brush strips extend down to sweep debris toward the suction inlet, and wet, where rubber squeegee lips take over to drag liquid toward it.

There is no neutral position; the nozzle is always in one mode or the other, so for bare suction without either the brushes or the rubber lips, you need to switch to a different attachment.

Both the cable and hose have dedicated storage positions on the machine, and the floor nozzle has a parking position so it can be hooked onto the body during work breaks.

For wet tasks, a drain screw at the base of the tank allows liquid to be emptied without lifting the machine – a practical consideration given that a full tank of water on the Kärcher WD 6 P will weigh around 66lb / 30kg.

The blower function works by moving the hose to the outlet port on the machine, reversing airflow to dislodge debris from hard-to-reach areas such as gravel beds or patio crevices. It's a small and simple touch, but it's super effective and useful, especially outdoors.

What Is the Kärcher WD 6 P Like to Use?

One of my favorite features of the Kärcher WD6 P is its castors. I never thought I'd celebrate something so innocuous, but having reviewed dozens of vacuums, these genuinely elevated the experience for me.

They make the machine incredibly easy to pull across hard floors and carpet, despite its bulk. I often get frustrated with the cord on upright and domestic vacuums always getting in the way, but the smooth way the castors navigate and pass over the WD 6 P's cord, plus having 26.2ft / 8m of cord to play with, means this was never an issue.

At 9.6kg (21.2lb) without accessories, there's no denying this is a heavy machine, and the weight is still felt when maneuvering in tight spaces or changing direction frequently, but the castors again make it feel much lighter and easier.

Due to the brushes on the floor nozzle, the Karcher WD6 P's performance on carpet and hardwood floors depends on getting the nozzle angle right. You have to tilt it slightly in order to pick up debris, rather than just move it around, and this doesn't always feel comfortable.

On carpet in particular, the brush and powerful suction work against you: the head drags and sticks, requiring real effort to push, and the brush strips tend to bury finer debris deeper into the pile rather than lifting it. This is not a machine built for carpeted rooms, or certainly not without switching to a different nozzle.

Switching to wet mode is a much better experience. The rubber lips glide across hard floors and pick up liquid cleanly and confidently, which is where the WD 6 P really earns its price.

On noise, the Kärcher WD 6 P is loud. The specification lists 73dB, but in my test, it was closer to 89dB on the minimum suction power, and 92dB on maximum. It's not comfortable for long periods.

Test 1: Flour and Sugar

For our flour and sugar test, I scattered a half-cup mixture across carpet, hardwood, and laminate to see how well the Kärcher WD6 P handles fine dry debris. This test is a proxy for the dust, skin cells, and fine dirt that build up across real homes.

On hard floors and laminate, the WD 6 P performed well, with the floor nozzle in dry mode picking up the mixture cleanly. The brushes on the underside of the nozzle come into their own here and guide the dust towards the suction inlet. Residue was minimal after a single pass.

Carpet was a different story. The suction and brush combo ended up simply pushing the flour and sugar deeper into the pile, leaving streaks across the carpet.

Working the nozzle repeatedly at different angles helped, but even with effort, some residue remained. If your home is predominantly carpeted, a dedicated upright or canister vacuum will serve you considerably better.

Test 2: Pantry

For my pantry test, I poured half a cup of cereal and lentils onto the same three floor types as before – carpet, hardwood and laminate.

On the laminate and wood, the Kärcher WD 6 P did an OK job with the lentils but struggled with cereal – you can clearly see in my review videos how the floor nozzle pushes the Cheerios around the surface rather than drawing them in cleanly, scattering pieces rather than collecting them.

Again, this is managed by angling the nozzle slightly, but the trade-off is that this isn't comfortable for long.

The brush strips work well on rougher, more uneven surfaces, such as garage floors or patios, where they have something to grip against, but on smooth flooring, they don't have enough purchase to guide lighter debris toward the suction inlet.

Test 3: Pet Hair

Maisie, my chocolate Labrador, is a dependable supplier of dark, dense, medium-length hair across my hard floors, upholstery, and carpets – and a solid real-world test for any vacuum claiming to be the best vacuum for pet hair.

On hard floors, the WD 6 P performed extremely well. Maisie’s hair vanished in a single pass, pulled straight into the hose without wrapping or leaving stray strands behind.

Suction is more than strong enough to handle even heavy concentrations of pet hair, and the lack of a brushroll means there’s nothing for hair to tangle around. A few strands do collect in the nozzle brushes, but they’re quick and easy to remove.

On carpet, the same angle-dependent performance applies, although longer pet hair is easier for it to lift and capture than fine dust and powder.

For pet owners with mostly hard floors and upholstery, the WD 6 P is highly capable. For carpet-heavy homes, however, a more dedicated pet-focused vacuum like the Miele Guard L1 Cat & Dog, available on Amazon, would be the better fit.

Test 4: Attachments

Swapping between attachments is refreshingly simple – in fact, it was the easiest part of the entire process. Everything twists and clicks securely onto the hose or extension tubes with a firm push, and detaches with a quick thumb press.

Nothing felt loose during use, although the fittings do require more force than you might be used to with a standard domestic vacuum – a reminder that this is built for tougher, more industrial-style cleaning.

The floor nozzle saw the most use. In dry mode, the brush strips are better suited to rougher, more textured surfaces than smooth floors, as noted in the tests above. In wet mode, however, the rubber lips performed noticeably better, giving a more controlled, purpose-built feel for handling spills and wet debris.

The lever switch between the two modes is easy to access and can be operated with your foot, making transitions quick and low-effort mid-clean.

The crevice nozzle proved genuinely useful. Dust in corners and along edges was removed cleanly in a single pass, with the strong suction doing most of the heavy lifting. It also came into its own for clearing the residue left behind during my flour and sugar tests, and it’s equally effective on baseboards, stair edges, and the gaps between appliances.

The bent handle noticeably improves control when pushing the floor nozzle across surfaces, particularly on carpet. It also detaches easily, allowing you to connect a nozzle directly to the hose for overhead cleaning or awkward angles without fuss.

One notable omission is the lack of an upholstery nozzle in the box – surprising at this price point – although a range of compatible accessories can be purchased separately from Kärcher.

Kärcher WD 6 P: Setup and Maintenance

The Kärcher WD 6 P was one of the most frustrating vacuums I’ve tested when it came to setup. Every step introduces more friction than you’d expect, from trying to attach the rotating castors to a wobbly, upside-down base, to repositioning the carry handle just to remove and refit the motor head.

Figuring out where everything goes isn’t intuitive either, and because the manual is mostly illustrated rather than genuinely explanatory, I ended up having to look up additional guidance online. The whole process took around 20 minutes and tested my patience more than once.

Emptying the WD 6 P is very dependent on what you’ve been cleaning. For wet waste, the drain screw at the base of the tank is the cleanest method – simply unscrew it, tilt the machine forward, and the liquid flows out without needing to lift the tank.

For dry waste, you need to move the carry handle forward to unlock the motor head, then twist, lift, and tip the tank into a bin.

Both emptying methods are straightforward enough, although the size and weight of the tank mean the process is less elegant than simply emptying a compact dustbin.

On the upside, the tank takes a long time to fill – unless you’re tackling a particularly large job – so this isn’t something you’ll need to do frequently in everyday use.

When used for dry tasks, the fleece bag does a good job of containing dust and can be lifted out cleanly without releasing a cloud of debris. That’s a meaningful advantage over bagless designs, especially after vacuuming fine dust or sawdust.

Replacement bags are readily available from Kärcher as well as third-party suppliers, and they’re simple to fit when needed.

The flat pleated filter is the component you’ll interact with most regularly. The push-button cleaning system takes care of the bulk of day-to-day maintenance, but when a more thorough clean is needed, the filter box releases with a press, folds open, and the filter lifts out cleanly without requiring you to reach inside the tank.

It can be rinsed under a tap and reused – Kärcher describes it as a lifetime filter when properly maintained – but it must be fully dry before being reinserted, which does require a bit of planning ahead.

The stainless steel tank interior is smooth and easy to wipe out, and shows less staining than a plastic container would over time. The hoses and tubes are straightforward to clear if blocked – disconnect, run water through if needed, and allow to dry.

Overall, the machine feels built to last, with the stainless steel tank and solid connection points giving it a durability that cheaper plastic wet-dry vacs don't match, and which helps justify the higher price.

How Does the Kärcher WD 6 P Compare?

The Kärcher WD 6 P sits at the mid-to-higher end of the wet-dry vacuum market at $349.99, and whether it justifies that price depends almost entirely on what you need it for. The most direct comparison is its predecessor, the $249.99 Kärcher WD 5. It shares the same core wet-dry design, but omits several key upgrades – including the power tool socket, push-button filter cleaning, and drain screw – all of which make a noticeable difference in day-to-day usability on the WD 6 P.

It also uses a smaller plastic container rather than the WD 6 P’s stainless steel tank, and the 16ft / 5m cord feels more restrictive in comparison. At $100 less, the WD 5 makes sense for lighter or occasional use, but for regular DIY work or more demanding wet cleaning tasks, the WD 6 P’s added features comfortably justify the step up.

How We Test Vacuums

We test every vacuum we review in real-world conditions across a range of floor types and debris categories. Each model goes through a consistent set of tests: flour and sugar on carpet, hard floors, and laminate to assess fine debris pickup; a pantry-style test using larger, heavier debris to evaluate general performance; and a pet hair test using real fur from Maisie, my chocolate Labrador, across both carpet and hard flooring.

We also assess each vacuum across setup time, ease of use, noise, manoeuvrability, and ongoing maintenance – including how simple it is to empty, clean, and reassemble. Every attachment is tested individually as well to understand its real-world practicality.

For wet-dry vacuums, we run additional tests covering wet pickup performance, evaluate any blower or secondary functions where included, and measure noise levels using the DecibelX app.

For full details of our testing methodology, see how we test vacuums.

Keeping the surfaces, shelves, and cabinets of your home streamlined can feel like an impossible task, especially in busy households.

I have experienced this keenly as my family has grown and our jobs have moved to a remote-work setup at home. That’s why I am snapping up the $1.25 tray organizers from Dollar Tree, currently available in a bulk-buy offer, before they sell out. Their versatility is ideal for tidying up your whole home with minimal energy or planning.

Applying a simple organizing system, such as matching trays, is one of the best storage ideas professionals use to keep things easy to manage in the long term – a must for busy homes.

The rectangular trays come in an assortment of long and short sizes, and a gold or rose gold trim along the top. This subtle color difference can help you with a straightforward tidying system. Use it to allocate types of items, or to a particular member of the household.

Adding labels, with an easy-to-use, print-at-home label maker available affordably from Walmart, will add further organization to your belongings and be a clever tool you use time and again. This could be because of a change in the function or categories of your storage trays and bins, or because you’re switching things out as the seasons and your household's needs change.

I’ve found it to be particularly useful when organizing my pantry or decluttering kitchen cabinets.

As this is a bulk buy, the retailer notes that some colors may vary. If you’re placing them inside cabinets, this won’t matter, but if you’re planning to utilize them on open cabinets, this may be something to consider so you don't add visual clutter to open storage.

More to Shop

If you like the idea of a home-wide clear-out but would like a few more organizers to choose from, I have selected some other affordable Homes & Gardens favorites, along with streamlining staples that may come in handy.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

I have used the easy-clean, stackable Amazon trays to clear the mess from all over my home, and they are a fantastic budget-friendly alternative.

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To me, welcoming guests for a meal is all about whimsy – making my home and cooking feel that little bit more magical for the people I love. As it turns out, Le Creuset is on the same wavelength.

Expanding on their best non-toxic cookware range, the heritage brand has quietly launched three seriously cute fruit-shaped cocottes – a peach, a strawberry, and a blueberry – that make the perfect single-serving bowls for any summer table. In previous years, similar collections sold out fast.

These new pieces are already selling out across retailers, and knowing Le Creuset's history with retiring even the most popular pieces, you'll need to snap them up quickly if you want to perfect your playful warm-season setup.

This is hardly the first time the brand has launched a playful seasonal collection. Le Creuset's Fall 2025 collection saw the release of charming pumpkin-shaped mugs and cocottes, for instance, and in 2023, the brand launched the first iteration of the fruit pots, with the familiar strawberry and blueberry, alongside an apple and raspberry.

It is hardly surprising that the first launch sold out almost immediately, and I expect nothing less from the most recent, revamped drop, especially as they tap into one of this season's most fun trends – making a home more whimsical. We are seeing it everywhere, with gardeners creating whimsical yards for the summer, too.

The new designs look more polished, with perfectly graduated pastel coloring and improved lid and side handles to increase functionality without ruining the juicy-looking design. They're bigger, too, boasting a 16-ounce capacity over the original's 14-ounce, making them even better suited to personal crumbles, dips, and desserts.

I rarely recommend investing in themed kitchenware. I have a small kitchen, so I understand the hassle of storing seasonal pieces out of the way in the off-season. That said, your serveware doubles as both the best cookware and summer table decor ideas; it is hard to pass up.

Made from Le Creuset's signature stoneware, the pots are safe from -9°F to 500°F, meaning you can chill desserts such as tirimassu or cheesecake overnight to set, or bake single-sized crumbles and stews without adding more dishes to clean up after a dinner party.

When not in use, they're pieces I would happily leave on my counter to turn kitchenware into decor. We are fully in the era of having fun with our food again, and I, for one, am here for it.

What Else to Shop

Whether you're refreshing your summer table ahead of peak hosting season or searching for playful ways to elevate your tablescaping, I’ve rounded up some of the most charming fruit- and vegetable-inspired cookware and serveware to bring a touch of whimsy without sacrificing practicality.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Not sure which Le Creuset color to invest in? Discover the best Le Creuset Color for your birth month as a starting point.

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Finding enough cooking space to feed a crowd can be a challenge, especially in a compact kitchen such as mine.

That is why the HexClad Double Burner Griddle Pan has caught my attention as a potential summer hosting saviour. Designed to span two burners, it effectively doubles your cooking surface without the hassle of juggling or trying to fit multiple large pans next to each other. This gadget makes it easy to fry, sear, and sauté for a group. Better still, it works on induction and electric cooktops.

It is also completely non-stick, non-toxic cookware, and it is currently $30 off in the summer sale. For anyone looking to simplify summer hosting without sacrificing performance, this is a clever small-space solution.

While the best grills offer a practical solution to large-party cooking in summer, I don't want to have to be outside to cook. They can't tackle more delicate tasks such as brunch-time pancakes, either. While I could continue to struggle with several pans in my small kitchen, this approach equals more stress, more clutter, and more cleaning up.

The HexClad Hybrid Double Burner Griddle is the sleek alternative that instantly streamlines the setup. Made with HexClad's signature hybrid stainless steel-ceramic non-stick, it covers two burners to heat the whole plate evenly for a larger cooking surface without refitting my kitchen.

While I haven't used the griddle myself yet, I do have a 10" HexClad Frying Pan and a tiny Hybrid Milk Pot, and can testify to just how sonderful the non-stick truly is. Usually troublesome oil and butter pour like water from a duck's back, making clean up a breeze.

With tri-ply construction with an aluminum core for quicker, even heating, it’s safe to use on any home cooktop or stovetop, including induction, and is metal utensil-safe, dishwasher-friendly, and oven-safe up to 900°F. I can't think of a more versatile investment.

HexClad shoppers agree. Cheryl K gave the griddle five stars, having used it outdoors on their grill, sharing, 'I used it on top of our grill grate to make smash burgers on one side of the pan and assorted grilled veggies on the other. It was a great one-pan meal! I also used it to bake pizzas and stromboli. Can’t wait to try it on my stovetop!'

Kathleen T similarly added, 'Of all the HexClad I own (and I have almost all of the pieces), this one is my favorite. I use it so much that it lives permanently on my stovetop. I am a huge fan!'

What Else to Shop

From other investment-worthy HexClad cookware to essential summer cooking accessories, I have rounded up my top picks to outfit your kitchen ahead of the hosting season.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Your cookware is not your only thing to upgrade ahead of the warm weather. These must-have finds can help to prep your home for summer hosting, too.

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If you are finding it hard to sleep this summer for heat consuming you at night, there might be a simple storage mistake in your bedroom at the root of it all.

Home cooling experts and professional organizers warn that keeping lots of items stored underneath your bed could be the reason you can't cool down at night.

Here, they detail the common storage mistake to avoid, and exactly why it drives up heat-related discomfort at night.

As Kevin Pennington, a member of the Institute of Refrigeration, advises in collaboration with Sharps, the area of concern is, surprisingly, your underbed storage ideas.

'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air is near the floor,' he explains. 'If you have lots of belongings stored under the bed, you are not allowing cooler air to circulate, and it traps warm stagnant air right under where you are trying to sleep.'

In turn, this thwarts any efforts you make to cool down a bedroom fast, and any more general attempts you make to sleep better in hot summer weather.

Amber Taggard, Professional Organizer, Storage Expert and Founder of The Organizer Chicks, agrees. 'Summer is here, and if you’re anything like me, you’re looking for every possible way to make your home feel cooler, calmer, and more comfortable.

'While we absolutely want the space under our beds pulling its weight when it comes to storage, we also don’t want it working against us during the hottest months of the year.

'One surprisingly common storage mistake I've seen repeatedly in my 15 years as a Professional Organizer? Packing the area under your bed so full that air can no longer circulate properly.

'Think of the area under your bed as part of your bedroom’s breathing system. When air can move freely, heat and moisture have a better chance of dissipating. When every inch is packed tight, that airflow is reduced.'

The 30-Second Swap to Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Fortunately, the fix is both quick and simple − all you need to do is clear the space. As Kevin explains, this works because the space under your bed acts as a reservoir for cool air, and keeping the area free of any clutter will help avoid any hidden mattress mold caused by underbed storage, too.

'Cold air sinks, so the coolest air in your bedroom sits right at floor level, and that gap beneath the mattress allows it to circulate naturally and draw heat away from you while you sleep.'

And, if you're wondering what the worst underbed storage offenders are, Kevin warns that solid plastic storage boxes, vacuum-packed winter clothes, heavy spare duvets, and cardboard boxes full of shoes are all listed among those to avoid.

'These are all dense, non-breathable materials, and if you've got the space rammed full of them, you're effectively turning the bottom of your bed into a solid block that traps warm, stagnant air right where you're trying to sleep,' he shares.

Instead, if you can't sacrifice your underbed storage space, opt for breathable, low-profile solutions, such as the Breathable Underbed Storage Bins, available at Amazon. Leave plenty of room around them, and periodically pull items out to clean beneath the bed to prevent dust buildup, which can affect air quality.

'It also comes down to how much you're storing. One or two small items pushed to the middle won't do too much damage; air can still move around them,' continues Kevin.

'But most people are short on space, so they pack those big under-bed drawers wall to wall. If the space is full, you're killing the natural airflow of the room. Even just leaving generous gaps around the edges makes a real difference.'

What to Shop

Alternative, breathable solutions for beneath your bed can be a simple swap you can make today so you don't have to lose that coveted storage space entirely.

Whether you're upgrading or overhauling, when decluttering and organizing the area under the bed, it's also crucial to keep this area clean and free of dust, so I've also included our top-rated handheld vacuum for cleaning behind and under beds without moving them.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

'Remember: having your best nest isn’t just about maximizing every inch of storage,' says Amber. 'It’s about creating a home that helps you breathe easier, sleep better, and live more comfortably.'

These hidden bedroom storage buys also offer a stylish alternative to underbed solutions.

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If your bathroom is feeling cluttered, you’re not alone. I’m ruthlessly decluttering mine as it’s the only solution for the ‘clutter creep’ that has spread across every surface and cabinet in recent months.

Bathrooms are one of the most functional spaces of any home, and the products and potions you’ll find in these rooms largely have to stay put. A great solution to clearing the mess that can silently build up is using smart organizers that do not impede your access, whilst also using the vertical height available to you.

That’s why I am returning to my trusty 76-cent Amazon organizing tray, a product I have used all over to organize my home.

Why Bathrooms Get So Cluttered in the First Place

Jenny Dietsch, Founder & CEO of Getting It Done Organizing, says, ‘Bathrooms get cluttered so easily because we have adopted a "more is better" philosophy, and we see so many products being sold to us on social media. I encourage you to analyze how many different lotions and potions you have and how many you truly use or need.’

She advises asking yourself the following questions to easily remove and declutter your bathroom:

• How many bathroom products do you have that are partially used, that you do not plan to use again, or maybe are expired?
• How many hair tools do you have?
• How many do you actually use?
• How much makeup do you actually use? How many different bottles of hair products do you have?

Jenny adds, ‘My advice is to truly evaluate what you need, want, and use. If you have duplicates and back-stock, store it in a container in a cabinet and shop from your back-stock before buying anything new.’

Ruthlessly decluttering your home will also help form new habits when it comes to shopping so you don't accumulate things as rapidly again.

As for your bathroom, only keep out what you use daily, and keep rarely used items under a bed or a cabinet elsewhere in your home. ‘I do the same thing with holiday dishware,' Jenny explains, ‘We do not keep it in the cabinet with the day-to-day dishes because that would be too crowded.’

Why Easy Stacking Trays Help to Easily Organize Crowded Bathrooms

I use the affordable Amazon trays all over my home, and I particularly like that they stack but are see-through, meaning when you use them on shelves or in drawers, you can still find what you’re looking for easily.

Professional organizer Jenny likes them too. She says, ‘My team of organizers love these types of inserts to store items inside drawers. They are shallow inserts and best in a drawer, not on the countertop.

‘They are a great idea because they allow you to separate your items into usage categories and keep your drawers neat. There should be a home for everything, and inserts are a great way to corral all of your different items. I also love the mesh over-the-door rack from The Container Store.’

More Bathroom Organizing Essentials

Restore order and calm to your bathroom by ruthlessly decluttering, then implementing smart organization systems that allow your household easy access to everyday essentials without overwhelming surfaces and storage areas with clutter.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Ensure the functionality of this busy room isn't compromised by brushing up on the mistakes to avoid when organizing bathroom cabinets.

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As the Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I'm lucky enough to enjoy a steady influx of new bedding to test for our buying guides. While this has filled my linen closet with a whole host of beautiful sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, it's also left me, less fortunately, with a distinctly messy storage space.

That's why I'm picking up this four-pack of SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon, to quickly and simply overhaul my sheet storage.

Proven to keep shoppers' best bed sheets neatly organized and accessible (and praised in over 3,000 five-star reviews), they're sturdy, durable, and effortlessly easy to use.

It's the common consensus that organizing a linen closet is one of the most awkward, tricky areas to tackle. In particular, it's fitted sheets that pose the biggest problem, and often end up bundled up, wrinkled, and stacked in towering piles, which is why I'm upgrading my storage with the SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon.

Sturdy and durable, simply fold your bedding, zip the organizer around it, close the lid, and use the included labels to fix your frustrating tiny linen closet storage in an instant. Each organizer is large enough to hold one Queen or King sheet set, one duvet cover, and two pillowcases.

Then, each organizer can be placed side-by-side on a shelf in your linen closet, keeping every item easily accessible, identifiable, and neat.

What Shoppers Say

As Michelle details in her five-star review, the SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers, available at Amazon, are a 'game-changer' for linen closets.

She says, 'I love these SpaceAid Bed Sheet Organizers for my bedding! They keep my sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers neatly folded and organized – no more messy stacks tumbling over. The bands hold everything securely, and the labels make it easy to grab the right set quickly.

'They're sturdy, fold flat when not in use, and transformed my chaotic closet into something tidy and beautiful. Highly recommend!'

Another shopper, Erin, also similarly calls them a 'closet game-changer,' and adds, 'So good for organizing. No more bulky, messy sheet sets − everything stays neatly folded and easy to grab. Makes the closet look way cleaner and more put together. Simple idea but makes a huge difference.'

What to Shop

Interested in more small linen closet storage ideas? Shop from a selection of top-rated options below to keep this hardworking space neatly organized.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, I'm going to take inspiration from Martha Stewart's linen closet organization method, which involves cardboard rolls and lavender sachets and costs less than $9 to recreate at home.

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I have a fair amount of floor space in my kitchen-diner, but a limited amount of cabinets. This has left my newly built home in a storage deficit, and the clutter in my kitchen kept piling up, no matter how many times I decluttered.

After learning it would cost at least $25,000 to overhaul and add more kitchen cabinets to suit our needs, I looked for an affordable alternative. I ended up buying an ever-popular IKEA cube storage system, which starts from as little as $34 for a two-cube setup.

I opted for a spacious $129 12-cube KALLAX, and it’s been a game-changer for organizing my kitchen, leaving my cabinets streamlined, every rattan cube satisfyingly tidy, and my most-used cooking essentials easily accessible. I'm buying four more variations for use across my home.

What I particularly love about the unit is how easily you can personalize the storage potential to suit your room's exact needs.

My new unit immediately doubled the amount of practical storage space I have in the kitchen, allowed us to declutter heavily-used wall cabinets, and, crucially, made my brilliant non-toxic cookware more accessible for everyday cooking.

The IKEA KALLAX Has Been My Most Useful Kitchen Storage Addition

I have been working to create a non-toxic home, starting in the kitchen, and cleared out potentially hazardous non-stick pans that were scratched and replaced them with high-end Our Place cookware sets that are non-toxic but heavier than I'd like. I was struggling to get them out of the lower kitchen cabinets where we had previously kept our cookware.

Now they are at shoulder height, on top of my KALLAX, in the included organizers, seen above, and I no longer have to get my husband to get out what I need to use.

Additionally, the kitchen cabinet that had held our cookware previously now has oodles of space. Nothing is stacked vertically or nested inside each other, just to fit. Everything from our Caraway stainless steel mixing bowls and strainer storage sets to Souper Cubes I use weekly to save space in my freezer.

It Was So Easy to Put Together

My husband put the unit together in under an hour, and we opted for the IKEA KALLAX base frame to lift it off the ground a few inches. This not only provides extra hidden storage underneath for all those pesky kitchen items such as spare grocery bags and trays, but made the unit feel instantly elevated in style.

The baskets were also easy to put together, and we chipped away at those over the course of a week or two, as there were 14 to put together.

I added a non-toxic BPA-free shelf liner from Amazon to the top for scratch protection from our heavy metal cookware handles, and to make it easy to clean.

Keeping the KALLAX Organized

,To help our household keep the Kallax unit from descending into chaos, I allocated each cube for something in particular and labelled it as such. This helps us all maintain a simple organizing system moving forward.

It also means I no longer spend my days frustrated with mess on countertops that spilled over from jammed cabinets – or the lack of enough shelves to work with. It’s been truly transformative, and now my initial budget for a new kitchen will be put towards our dream forever home.

Investing in a little label maker, available at Walmart, was one of the best things I ever did for organizing my home as it's such a handy item for organization. Most of our rattan cube inserts from IKEA have their own marker to let everyone, including our cleaners, know where to find or put away what they need.

What Shoppers Say

I’m not the only one now to be obsessed with the IKEA bestseller, and planning on bringing four more to organize my small home, which is lacking in storage. IKEA shoppers have loved it for years, keeping it a constantly top-purchased product.

Shoppers have endless uses for theirs, including storing records, crafting items, adding storage across their home, keeping out-of-season clothes, exercise equipment, using it for decluttering home offices, playrooms, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, and more.

There is no end to the versatility. Rating it on average 4.6/5 stars, the KALLAX has had thousands of reviews from verified shoppers in the US and across the world.

Alexis recently wrote that it ‘holds the Multiverse,’ and added, ‘The storage unit is uncanny and amazing! I bought it to store my comic omnibus and collected editions and more. Between DC, Marvel, Image, Dark Horse, etc., this thing holds worlds upon worlds between them. The unit is strong and sturdy. Some of these omnibus books are quite heavy, and this unit appears to have no issues holding them. The look and feel exudes confidence and well-built quality. You've got a fine product here! ‘

Sandra reported that the ‘KALLAX versatility is limitless’ and I wholeheartedly agree. She says, ‘The unit is perfect storage for crafts and fabric. Quality is great and easy to put together. Love these shelves.’

Another, Juliana, reported that it’s the third 4x4 KALLAX she has purchased. ‘I purchased the first units 10 years ago to store and organize my heavy paper-based work materials. I bought a second one to store off-season clothes and exercise equipment. I had no problem assembling the Kallax units, and they have held up perfectly despite being heavily loaded.'

The endless five-star reviews go on like this, confirming its durability, usefulness, and how it fits so much in without taking over your space.

What to Shop

Catering your storage to your particular requirements at home is a smart way to help you maintain order moving forward. Here are some useful items I've used in my kitchen project and extra alternatives.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, delve into the most stylish storage ideas for your home.

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It is safe to say that every kitchen collection outgrows its storage at some point. Whether it is a surplus of pots and pans or food containers losing their lids, when space starts coming at a premium, it can become frustrating to find what you need, when you need it.

The instinct is often to invest in large-scale and complex systems to corral belongings. However, choosing one or two smart tidying essentials often has the best and quickest payoff when organizing your kitchen.

The IKEA VARIERA Pot Lid Organizer is a perfect example. It brings order to one of the most awkward categories of kitchen storage, keeping items neatly arranged and increasing accessibility. The result is a calmer, more functional kitchen that feels effortlessly organized day after day.

At first glance, the VARIERA is extraordinarily simple. It is an extendable stainless steel rack that fits practically any cabinet or deep drawer, keeping everything from delicate glass pan lids to unwieldy food container lids.

A large part of the problem with storing pot lids is how to do so and reduce visual mess in your kitchen. Even a handful of container lids scattered loosely at the bottom of a drawer can make your storage feel chaotic and the cooking experience a little less calm.

As you can rarely reduce how many items you need to store, requiring differing lids to match every pot, vertical stacking saves the day. By introducing a divided organizer to line lids up neatly, no matter their size, you keep them within easy reach and group them for a more considered kitchen.

In short, it creates visible order, making a kitchen feel more expensive, and all for only $7.

What Else to Shop

A tidy and clutter-free kitchen rarely comes down to a single storage solution. To streamline your space, I’ve rounded up the kitchen organizers our editors swear by, from clever cabinet upgrades to countertop essentials that make everyday cooking simpler.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To help avoid any storage blunders, avoiding the things people with tidy kitchen cabinets never do will establish order and maintain it.

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An overflowing under-sink cabinet, brooms spilling out of cupboards, and enough cleaning cloths to last a lifetime: If this sounds familiar, you may need a compact and versatile cleaning system to help reclaim your storage space.

As I'm currently in the process of a house move, I'm streamlining my cleaning tool clutter once and for all, which is why I am glad to have spotted the $24 IKEA PEPPRIG Cleaning Set.

With a cleverly compact design, it's perfect for storing in even the smallest of apartments, and comes complete with all the essential cleaning tools everyone needs to refresh your whole home at an impressively affordable price.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

A cleaning tool that's clever, compact, and convenient to store − just like the IKEA PEPPRIG Cleaning Set − ticks all my boxes for a decluttered utility room or undersink storage area.

When deep-cleaning your house, having a 'one-stop shop' with you as you move around will save you so much time and energy, especially when paired with our expert cleaning tips.

The IKEA kit's telescopic handle is adjustable from 30 to 50 inches (handy if you're small like me) and makes cleaning up high, down low, and under awkward spaces like beds, fridges, and cabinets far more accessible than traditional tools. The smart lock mechanism also makes it effortlessly easy to change the cleaning head mid-task.

As the cloths are microfiber, they work well for dusting, polishing, and shining surfaces, even without detergent, and have the added benefit of being machine washable, too. Just remember to skip the laundry softener, as this will coat the microfiber hairs and reduce its ability to absorb liquid.

And, when it comes to small, storage-less home solutions, the included hangers mean you can attach the tool to your wall, keeping it out of the way yet easily accessible at all times.

The price of the IKEA set is one of its biggest draws, as I've been a long-time devotee to the Joseph Joseph CleanTech kit (and do very much feel it's worth the $80 price tag), but if you're on the hunt for something a little more affordable, the IKEA PEPPRIG Cleaning Set is a perfect alternative. It's also an excellent set for a second home, dorms, or a guest house.

What Shoppers Say

'A great set!' reads a recent five-star review on the IKEA site from verified buyer Kim. 'This is an all-inclusive cleaning set which is designed to make your life easier and cleaning more efficient. The multiple attachments meet a variety of different needs in your home.

'A welcome addition to your own housekeeping routine or makes a great housewarming gift for friends or family.'

I couldn't agree more − pair it with some beautifully scented cleaning products, like the Method Pink Grapefruit All-Purpose Cleaner, available at Walmart, and you'll have a thoughtful gift that any new homeowner likely doesn't already have, and would be delighted to receive.

Another, from Maria, calls it a 'must-have,' and adds, 'I love this, it literally has everything you need to clean. We just bought a new house, and the master bathroom has tile up to the ceiling, nine feet high. This helped me reach everything without needing a stepping stool,' while a third, from Shelise, echoes, 'I can get so many cleaning jobs done with just this one set.'

It's worth noting that some reviews say the adhesive storage hooks do not stay on, but many reference a short window for curing. Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved, advises, 'Place the adhesive on a dry, clean surface, press hard to remove air bubbles, and then leave it for 24 hours. Do not load it a minute sooner. I've never had an adhesive drill-free mount fall off with this installation method.'

So, if, like me, you're looking to cut your housekeeping clutter for good, upgrade your set-up with the IKEA PEPPRIG Cleaning Set for a versatile and affordable fix.

More to Shop

Ready to give your housekeeping routine a serious upgrade? Our selection of expert-approved tools and products will smooth the way.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you're not quite ready to fully upgrade your setup just yet, even taking the time to organize under your sink can make a world of difference to cleaning efficiency.

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When it comes to even heat distribution and flavorful sears, few pans rival cast iron. But with that performance comes upkeep, and it is hardly the most convenient cookware for everyday use.

For years, the fear of rust on my best cast iron cookware kept me away from this much-loved kitchen staple. Now, however, I’ve found the Lodge Rust Eraser, available from Amazon, which has made me far more confident about diving into cast iron cooking.

Designed to remove rust and help restore older pans to new again, this $9 tool is one of the simplest yet most effective additions to any home chef’s maintenance kit. Here’s how it works and why I wouldn’t use cast iron without it.

Understanding how to clean and care for every type of cookware can be overwhelming, leading many of us (myself included) to stick to one simple type that we can toss in a dishwasher and forget about. Cast iron is decidedly not that, requiring gentle washing, thorough drying, and regular seasoning to prevent rust and pitting.

The idea of rust scared me so much that I avoided the material altogether until I stumbled upon the Lodge Rust Eraser. This sturdy rubber block was designed to sand away rust and smooth out the surface of your pans, grill grates, and more. By stripping the pan down to bare metal, you can reseason it and use it as if it were brand new.

The shape of it allows precision removal, too, so you are not stripping away the general and protective built-up patina unnecessarily.

Given that it can be all too easy to miss a damp spot when cleaning cast iron or to make a mistake with seasoning as a beginner, the rust remover offers extra peace of mind that your investment won't be going to waste.

What Shoppers Say

With over 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it is the saving grace for many a cast-iron chef.

One verified shopper, Jinxie, shared, 'Minimal effort and rust is gone! For real. I was even able to save the multiple, inherited cast iron pans which had been languishing in bins, collecting dust, until this bad boy came into my life. I’m an even bigger fan now of actually using my insanely huge amount of cast iron now that I don’t need to worry about someone not drying them well enough.'

Another added, 'Quick and easy, like erasing pencil with a rubber eraser, or using a pumice stone on a swimming pool. My hobby is metalworking, and I have spent many hours de-rusting iron and steel over the years, using everything from phosphoric acid to power tools, and for a small job (like a pot or grill), this is just the ticket! So easy to use, just rub it on the metal!'

What Else to Shop

From cleaning a burnt pan to restoring a well-loved patina, I’ve rounded up six essential cast iron tools to help keep your cookware performing at its best for decades to come.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To prevent prematurely damaging your cast iron seasoning, brush up on the heat ring mistake that can ruin your cookware.

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Jo Malone's new Veggie Collection has perfectly captured the nostalgia of the summer scent of a vegetable patch in full flourish. These kinds of earthy, sweet, ripe scents take me straight back to long, hot days spent in my grandparents' garden and provide a welcome fragrancing break from the citrus notes we usually see enjoying a reprise over the warmer months.

I was lucky enough to recently be among the first to sample the scents from the brand-new, limited-edition Jo Malone Veggies Collection, inspired by traditional British gardens.

With summer just around the corner, I am certain that the fresh, bright, yet unexpected scent profiles, such as Velvety Butternut, are set to become among the best home fragrance picks for a balmy season.

Come summer, I'd argue that there's no better scent profile than fresh vine tomatoes − I'd even go so far as to say it's my favorite fragrance of all time. I'm not the only one, either. Anyone who knows anything about the tomato girl summer trend will know that it's an enduring staple for a refreshing space that brightens and uplifts.

The Malin+Goetz tomato candle already appears in my guide to the best candles, and now the Jo Malone Green Tomato Vine Townhouse Candle is sure to become a firm part of my scenting rotation to make my home smell nice all throughout the sunnier seasons. Available in two sizes and housed in a gorgeous green ceramic vessel, it promises that same punchy scent distribution and clean, even burn that made Jo Malone a household name, this time with a vibrant, herbaceous aroma.

If you prefer to make use of the best reed diffusers instead, there's also a Green Tomato Vine Townhouse Diffuser, available at Jo Malone, for a more low-maintenance way to make your home smell nice without candles, and there's a Green Tomato Vine Diffuser Oil Refill and Tomato Leaf Hand Wash, too.

In terms of perfumes, the new limited-edition collection also sees a Carrot Blossom Cologne, Scarlet Beetroot Cologne, and Velvety Butternut Cologne entering the Jo Malone line-up this summer. I've smelled them all, and they're all equally as interesting, unusual, and beautiful.

The collection makes a delightfully refreshing departure from the usual clean citrus notes that rise in popularity for summer home scenting, and it smells luxurious and unique.

What to Shop

If something from the limited-edition Jo Malone Veggies collection has caught your eye, you can shop my top picks below, along with some affordable alternatives for bringing the refreshing scent of vegetables into your home this summer.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

If you're feeling inspired to explore more from Jo Malone, this candle is Kate Middleton's signature scent, so much so that she even burned it in Westminster Abbey on her wedding day, and Catherine Zeta-Jones swears by Jo Malone's Lime Basil & Mandarin candle and has done so ever since she was first gifted it by Elton John.

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Taking your washing to and from the machine is one of the easiest parts of laundry day, but that certainly doesn't mean it's not without its difficulties.

From dropped socks to sopping wet piles, the IKEA TORKIS Flexible Laundry Basket is the cure for all laundry-related woes – and it's only $9.99.

Large, durable, easy-to-carry, and mold-proof, it's makes doing laundry that little bit easier.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

The IKEA TORKIS is universally appealing. If you have a dryer, you can use it to carry items to it from your washing machine, or to hold items securely while you wait for a load to finish.

If you prefer to enjoy the benefits of air-drying laundry, you can carry items in and out of your backyard and around your house with comfortable ease as it's lightweight and has ergonomic handles.

And, in any case, you can use it as a laundry basket, or simply to transport items to and from your laundry room, and the plastic materials mean there's no worry of mold and mildew developing.

For that reason, it's the ideal laundry accessory, whatever your set-up. What's more, it costs just shy of $10, and there are four pretty, poppy colors to choose from.

What Shoppers Say

It's no surprise, then, that verified shopper Cathy crowns the IKEA TORKIS the 'best laundry basket.'

'Highly recommend this great quality laundry basket,' she says. 'I have purchased four of them. Perfect.'

She's not the only reviewer to buy multiple, either. 'Obsessed,' says Jillian,' who has purchased eight in total. 'Started with one for each kid as a laundry basket. Quickly realized that I needed one in my trunk and several more for laundry and toting items to and from home. I am I LOVE with these!'

Additionally, the versatility of this basket doesn't just stop at doing laundry.

As Catherine details in her five-star review, she uses one for dog toys, and another is needed for holding everything needed for painting outdoor pot plants. 'We have special outdoor paints, paint brushes, terracotta pots, and garden gnomes all set for when the kids in the family come to visit,' she explains. 'We just grab the tub, put all the supplies on the patio table, and we all paint away. I absolutely love these tubs!!'

Others note that it's perfect for bottom-watering houseplants, and can even double up as a high-sided cat litter box.

With four colors to choose from, I'm tempted to order one in every shade, just like fellow reviewer Arron, who adds, 'I have this basket in every color.'

What to Shop

If you're currently looking to upgrade your laundry set-up, shop from my selection of essentials and recommendations below.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

These organizing tricks to make laundry easier help prevent overwhelm.

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Air-drying may be the best way to keep laundry smelling fresh, but smaller items can be tricky to keep in place, whether on a line or rack, even with pegs.

That's where IKEA's PRESSA Hanging Dryer comes in handy. With 16 pegs for socks, underwear, infant clothes, and other small items, it can be hung up anywhere and conveniently folds for storage in small spaces when not in use.

Here's why it's the perfect aid for doing laundry.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

When smaller items such as socks fall from your washing line, ending up crumpled, musty, and smelling damp, it's a nuisance, making you retrace your steps or redo a batch in the washer.

But it can be avoided altogether with the IKEA PRESSA Hanging Dryer, with room for 16 small items, or eight pairs, which can be used both inside and outdoors, hung up just about anywhere, and folded away for convenient storage when not in use.

To me, this is the kind of laundry accessory you never knew you needed, until you use it for yourself.

Satisfied shopper Sarah agrees: 'I love this little octopus! This incredible little find is essential in my life from spring through fall − and hangs out on my porch and holds bras, underwear, and socks that I don't want on the clothesline in the backyard.

'I've had mine for [over] 15 years, and I'm finally replacing it only because two of the clips have failed...I'm not getting rid of my old one though − it's coming inside and going on trips with me.'

Another review, from Nancy, echoes Sarah's. 'Love my octopus,' she says. 'This octopus dryer is now home to keep company with my red octopus dryer that I've had for about 10 years or so,' she enthuses. 'Perfect for drying wool socks and bras − stuff that fares badly in the electric dryer,' with all the added benefits of air-drying laundry.

Additionally, as Nancy highlights, not only is the IKEA PRESSA perfect for air-drying in warmer weather − it also has an unexpected benefit in the cooler seasons. 'Also helps to humidify the home in winter − a bonus!'

What to Shop

If you're looking to give your laundry routine some love, shop our selection of essentials below to successfully swerve any bad laundry habits ruining your laundry and washing machine.

Knowing how to organize a laundry room is key to a stress-free laundry day. Our expert-led guide details everything you need to know.

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During a recent trip to Spain, where many compact residential homes were designed to sacrifice kitchen space for more outdoor cooking and living areas, I noticed one clever feature that instantly cleared clutter inside.

Instead of dish drying racks next to the sink, they were hidden in wall cabinets, allowing you to double up your drying and dish storage space and keeping the area around your sink clear.

The cabinet above many Spanish sinks I saw allowed space for water to drip into the basin below, but you can easily and quickly recreate this space-saving kitchen storage idea with IKEA’s KUNGSFORS $45 dish drainer, which comes with a drip tray and can be wall-mounted.

I visited Iran a lot as a child to see my family, and this vertical storage trick was also a common feature in apartments across Tehran and beyond. Keeping dish racks tucked into cabinets above sinks was a space-saving design feature that served multiple purposes, and I saw it this week in Spain too.

The benefits of this setup I’ve often spotted in hot and humid countries include:

• Instantly clears sinkside clutter.
• Opens up extra countertop space for food prep in small kitchens.
• No more manual drying of dishes is required.
• As you wash items, you’re also putting them away, reducing chores.
• Removing sink-side drainers allows space for washed pots and pans to dry.

Design Experts Agree It’s a Genius Dish Rack Replacement

Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens, and our resident design expert, Hebe Hatton, explains the problems switching to this style of dish rack can solve.

She says, ‘You could invest in the chicest dish rack, which looks fine when empty, but as soon as you actually put it to use and stack it with dripping dishes, any potential design statement is gone.

‘It's clutter, and it's noticeable – right at countertop level, which can be a busy place at the best of times. If your kitchen design does allow for a dish rack to be taken up off the countertop, it can make a lot of difference, especially if you make it part of a shelving display with shelves above it that you can style with crockery and cookbooks.’

If you need to store wider items, the IKEA item’s separator spikes can flatten down, transforming it into a shelf, while the IKEA KUNGSFORS Suspension rail and shelf combination comes with a shelf for exactly this.

Hebe adds, ‘This IKEA product frees up space around the sink and is more subtle both when not in use and when filled with dishes.’

The fact it has a drip tray and can be moved into a hidden spot makes it extra useful in busy hosting periods.

How the IKEA Drainer Can Help You Replicate This Design Feature

As it can be placed sink-side, inside a cabinet (it has a drip tray) or mounted on the wall, it allows you to corral wet dishes in a multitude of ways to best suit your compact kitchen or busy sink area.

It’s made from non-toxic stainless steel, and the steel wire has a galvanized coating for longevity. The tray that catches the drips from your wet dishes is also made from stainless steel, making it easy to clean lowers the risk of mold, which makes keeping it hygienic all the easier. Simply wipe clean with a spot of dish soap and dry with a clean cloth.

Avoid any harsh chemicals or rough scourers that can impact the surface, however, or it might become scratched.

You can also pair it with the KUNGSFORS suspension rail for an alternative mounting route.

More to Shop

Sinkside clutter is an issue for many, even in bigger kitchens, as the items there are in permanent rotation and a constant cycle of wash–dry-use. Here are some clever sink-side solutions to keep yours as functional as possible without creating an eyesore.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Say goodbye to the traditional dish rack with a clever alternative.

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If you haven't done so already, now is the perfect time to switch bulkier winter bedding to something a little lighter for the summer months.

The Whitmor, Inc Plastic Storage Bag, available at Wayfair, is the perfect solution for packing away items you don't immediately need, as it's lightweight, conveniently transparent for easy identification, and, most importantly, affordable. Plus, it'll make the perfect linen cabinet extension for those bulky beach towels and extra guest essentials when they're not required.

Here's why we recommend it for storing away your best duvet inserts until fall and winter roll back around.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Even the most organized linen closet usually doesn't have space for extra bulky items, such as comforters, duvet inserts, and thick blankets. That's why the Whitmor, Inc Plastic Storage Bag, available at Wayfair, with it's large capacity and durability, alongside the strong handles for convenient portability, is a simple and instant way to expand your storage.

The material of this storage solution will ensure your bedding remains free from dust and any mold and mildew, as well as keeping pests at bay, too. Keeping your bedding free of dust is an essential hypoallergenic storage tip for allergy sufferers.

What Shoppers Say

As shopper Megan attests in her on-site rating, there's plenty of space for all your bedding storage needs.

She says, 'Holds up really well, I've packed and unpacked the same large padded mattress cover in and out of this bag to the max capacity and there are no tears in the plastic and the zipper holds up well.'

Another shopper, Candace, notes it 'can fit two queen duvets in it with room to spare,' and plenty more reviews comment that it's particularly well-suited for underbed storage.

I'd agree − that way it's a storage ideas that's easily accessible but conveniently hidden from view. Its also equally useful for seasonal storage when transitioning your wardrobe, such as a fall wardrobe swap or spring closet swap, for example.

'I purchased several of these bags when they were on sale,' adds verified shopper Kathleen. 'I was able to store many winter sweaters, summer tops and other clothing items in these bags.

'I like that they are clear so you can see what is inside. The bag can really be stuffed and zipped up. Good value, very happy with the purchase.'

What to Shop

Once you've washed, dried, and cared for your comforters and duvet inserts, perfect your bedding storage with my Sleep Editor-approved selection of essentials.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Don't forget that it's essential to air out your bedding, particularly before and after storing it away for long periods of time. Never store it away unless clean and fully dry.

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The windowsills in my kitchen often have items lined up on them, especially our empty glass milk bottles. But fire safety experts warn that storing glass in this spot can pose an alarming fire risk.

Especially in the summer months when the sun’s power is more keenly felt, light entering your bottle and exiting concentrated on fabric such as curtains, upholstery or even paper towels could spark a fire in your home.

Here, our experts explain the fire risks and what to do instead with glass jars and bottles to keep your home's windowsills from sparking an inferno any time of year.

Keeping glass and reflective kitchen items stored in a cabinet or a chic countertop storage bin from Wayfair will stop sunlight from traveling through and posing a risk.

Former firefighter and managing director of Fire & Evacuation Services, John Duthart, explains, ‘Incidents involving sunlight passing through glass objects are not as rare as people might think, with many fires in the past decade caused by the sun's rays.

‘A simple glass item like a condiment jar left on a windowsill can focus sunlight onto nearby surfaces like blinds or fabrics and lead to a devastating fire under certain conditions.’

Why Glass Objects Can Easily Cause Fires Fast

Glass objects and reflective surfaces can act like a magnifying glass, concentrating the sun’s rays into a focused hot spot. If that heat is directed onto flammable materials for long enough, it can cause smouldering, which may then develop into a full fire.

John adds, ‘In strong direct sunlight, nearby materials can begin to heat up within minutes. The exact timing depends on the strength of the sunlight, the type of glass involved and how close combustible items are to the focused light.’

The Household Materials That Pose the Most Risk

Curtains, bedding, paper, cardboard, clothing and soft furnishings are among the most vulnerable because they can heat up and ignite more easily once sunlight is concentrated onto one small area.

John explains that proximity plays a part. He says, ‘A mirror, glass ornament or jar placed on a windowsill may only need to focus sunlight a short distance onto nearby curtains or furniture to create dangerous heat build-up.’

Reduce this common fire risk by placing glass items, whether empty or full, out of sunlight year-round.

Where Else This Can Happen Inside Your Home

Safety and environmental expert, Brian Dunagan, is Chief Investigator for fire, electrical, and explosion cases at IFO Group.

He adds that in investigations of these sorts of infernos, they usually come about ‘because sunlight passed through curved glass, acted as a lens, and the energy focused on combustible materials like paper, cardboard, fabrics or dry wood.’

Brian warns that it’s not just glass on windowsills that can cause a spark. He explains, ‘Countertops, shelves, sunrooms and patios, garages, and vehicle interiors can cause similar incidents when direct sunlight hits a transparent container.

‘The thickness of the glass alone is usually of minor importance compared to the shape of the container, clarity and contents. Ignition is not based on outdoor temperature. The intensity of the direct sunlight, angle of the sun, exposure duration and type of material being heated are all critical.’

Keeping these items out of the direct path of sunlight anywhere in your home, and having a fire extinguisher available from Amazon in the house, is vital for your household's safety.

How to Safely Store Reflective Objects Instead

‘Mirrors, crystals, glass ornaments, bottles and similar reflective items should be kept away from direct sunlight,’ former firefighter John adds, ‘and ideally stored in shaded areas, drawers or against walls where sunlight cannot hit them directly.’

If you don’t have storage space in cabinets, consider a chic fluted wall-mounted recycling bin from IKEA or hanging storage baskets from Williams Sonoma, which you can place on a wall or behind a door in a permanently shady spot.

I now have a spacious and sleek recycling bin from Caraway for used jars and bottles, and have recently expanded my kitchen storage with an IKEA Kallax Unit so no glass has to be left out in our sunny, south-facing kitchen.

What to Shop

Meet the Experts

Next, reduce the fire risk around your home by never putting particular items items on your porch.

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If you’ve ever forgotten a key ingredient in the fridge and fetched it mid-prepping your chicken or other meat for the grill, you’ve likely also cross-contaminated your appliance’s door handles in the process.

Professional cleaners warn that your fridge handles are one of the most easily forgotten areas for kitchen cleaning, but one of the most important to prevent avoidable illness, especially in the hotter summer months.

Here, experts explain why sanitizing this area is vital, and how to do so adequately without the need for harsh chemicals, so you can maintain the non-toxic home you have created.

Rosa Picosa, a Fabuloso® cleaning expert, explains, ‘We tend to use the fridge multiple times a day, and throughout the swirl of the day we can pick up germs unintentionally and then, we go to touch our face, food, and utensils without realizing our hands may not be as clean as we may think, which can potentially lead to spreading bacteria.'

This cross-contamination can be a key carrier for spreading germs in the kitchen, especially if you touch raw chicken or unclean produce and then proceed to open the fridge and other appliances. In one study on cross-contamination, it was reported that 'good hygiene practices in the kitchen are crucial to reducing the risk of foodborne diseases.'

To help prevent that spread from happening, Rosa adds, 'When cleaning the kitchen, I like to finish the area by wiping down the spots people touch all the time, like fridge doors, cabinet handles, and the faucet. These little details don’t take long, but they help the kitchen feel clean and keep germs from spreading too far out of our control.’

Why Fridge Handles Are Often Forgotten When Cleaning

Despite fridge handles being a high-traffic zone, they’re often forgotten, with professional cleaners identifying this area as a grimy spot they always notice in clients' homes.

Rosa adds, ‘I find people often stick to cleaning high-traffic, visible areas such as countertops, stovetops, and sinks. I always recommend spending no more than 10-15 minutes each day tackling one zone – I love to set a timer – wiping down counters and stovetops, spot-cleaning cabinet fronts, refreshing the sink area, or cleaning kitchen appliances such as the fridge.

‘The key is cleaning consistently to avoid the build-up of grime and sticky fingerprints before they turn into bigger cleaning jobs. These mini refreshes help the kitchen stay cleaner longer and make weekly deep cleans much easier.’

Keeping a regular and achievable cleaning schedule will also help, but washing your hands well when handling raw produce and before touching handles is the best preventative measure you can take.

How to Keep on Top of Fridge Hygiene in Busy Hosting Periods

Little and often works best, so that your kitchen’s hygiene remains an ongoing project. You don’t have to do it all at once; chip away at the tasks, zone by zone, regularly to ensure everything is tackled without your cleaning chores feeling overwhelming.

Rosa adds, ‘The main takeaway is that cleaning frequency is really about consistency, not perfection. My top tip for maintaining a frequent cleaning routine is to start small and be consistent.

‘Focus on managing daily cleaning tasks by doing a little bit each day, then conduct deeper cleans with what best fits your schedule – whether weekly, biweekly, or even monthly. For me, consistency helps ground me and determine what is essential.’

For easy upkeep of your fridge:

• Clean the handles when you wipe your countertops, so it becomes a habit-stacking task that's easy to keep the momentum going. Of course, if you have cross-contaminated the handles during meal prep, sanitize those immediately. Clorox wipes, available at Amazon, will eliminate all bacteria.
• Wipe down your fridge shelves as groceries run out and space clears, or just before loading your new haul of food.
• Clean the shelves inside your fridge's door once every week or two, especially if you store drinks and open jars here.
• Don't forget to tackle your fruit and vegetable drawers, as that forgotten-about tomato or lettuce will release liquid and become a hot spot for mold and bacteria, even in the chilled environment of your fridge. Using hot soapy water and a clean microfiber cloth, and drying the drawer fully will work just fine. You can also remove these and wash them by hand in the sink with a spot of dish soap, such as Dawn, from Walmart.
• Sanitize your water dispenser weekly to avoid 'pink mold', which is actually a common household bacterium that thrives in damp spaces.

The Realities of Sanitizing Without Harsh Chemicals

While harsher commercial cleaners work more quickly and efficiently, studies have confirmed the efficacy of natural cleaning products when used correctly and at the right concentrations.

A study in BMC Microbiology in 2020 found that vinegar at a minimum concentration of 10%, with 1.5% citric acid, kills many household germs, including strains of E. coli. Both vinegar and citric acid are available to buy at Walmart.

The exception to this natural cleaning rule, and where more astringent solutions may be needed, is if a member of your household is ill with a viral or bacterial infection that could spread.

In this case, make sure to use an adequate disinfectant such as Clorox wipes, available at Amazon, which eliminates 99.9% of germs.

What to Shop

Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting bring different levels of germ-busting, and it is possible to use gentler cleaners and natural ingredients with adequate effect if you leave them on for long enough.

Here are a few sanitizing essentials to help you achieve this without resorting to harsher chemicals while still cleaning well.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Fridge door handles are not the only place you might be forgetting to clean. There are vital spaces in the bedroom easily forgotten, which also require regular sanitation.

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The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini is an entry-level, budget-friendly video doorbell that I've come to appreciate for what it is – an affordable Ring alternative that will enhance home security and convenience on a budget.

I've been a user of video doorbells since we bought our first home almost 10 years ago, with some a more permanent fixture than others. I was excited to try the Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini, to see how it compares with the other video doorbells I've tested and make full use of the features.

It's usually around $49.99, but currently on offer for $34.99 at Best Buy, and I've been impressed by the video and audio quality, and it was so easy to install. It's not without its quirks, though. As far as affordability goes, it's a contender for one of the best video doorbells on the market.

My One-Minute Summary

Overall, the Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini is a brilliant, budget-friendly doorbell that I found easy to install and use. With just some DIY know-how, a screwdriver and a smartphone, it's been a seamless experience through 14 days of testing.

I've been particularly impressed by the video and audio quality, both daytime and nighttime. The video quality can be adjusted to 2K or 360p to preserve battery life, which has dropped from 100% to 84%, so I'm not convinced it'll make it to the 180-day battery life expectancy.

It can detect people and motion as they enter a 25ft detection range, which is helpful if you're expecting a visitor or delivery, but not so helpful if you're planning on using the D205 as a means of surveillance beyond this modest distance.

The app is really easy to use, with the ability to engage in two-way audio, set privacy zones to block out a neighbor's property, and access stored activity in the Tapo Care Cloud storage. This storage is an ongoing cost that'll set you back $3.49 per month after the free 30 days. You do, however, have the option to use a 512GB microSD card to avoid these costs.

Equally, the eufy E340 and the Lorex 2K, both of which we've reviewed, are great alternatives if you want to avoid paying a monthly fee.

I admit, I am more familiar with Ring video doorbells and security cameras because they are a permanent resident at my home address. The cost of those devices are closer to $100+, which is double that of the D205, but if you want even more customization and detection with a fantastic range, then the Ring Battery Doorbell Pro is a good backup option, but with a higher upfront cost.

Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini: Specifications

Installation and setup

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini arrives in a neat, compact box that contains everything that you'll need for installation. In the box you'll find the video doorbell, mounting bracket, mounting wedge, 3M adhesive, foam pad, screws and anchors, USB cable, mounting template sticker, and the all-important quick start guide.

Before installing any hardware or software, the battery needed a charge. The guide estimated that this would take about 6.5 hours. However, my sample took around seven hours to charge.

Once the doorbell was fully charged, I set it up and installed it on our gated fence using only the essential DIY skills. I downloaded the Tapo app and connected it to the home Wi-Fi. I then followed the on-screen instructions and it went without a glitch.

To install, I first attached the mounting wedge to the bracket because I wanted to achieve a better view of looking down our drive. Make sure it's facing the right direction, and watch out for the screw underneath as it's tiny and easy to drop.

You can then attach the bracket in your desired spot by either sticking it to the wall or mounting it to the wall. I opted to install on the wooden fence next to the gate, the side access to our house. I used the screws for this, but if you're securing to masonry, the relevant plugs are also supplied.

It's advised that the doorbell be placed 4ft above the ground, and the 15° mounting wedge be used for a more focused view from a specific side.

The Tapo D215 then simply clicks into place, and a tiny screw underneath is all that holds it in place. This would be easy to remove; good for recharging, but not good for thieves. The use of a release pin, such as eufy models, would've made it more of a challenge for those up to no good.

Overall, it took me fewer than 10 minutes to set up and install the D205 by myself.

Video Quality

After using the Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini for 14 days, I have found that the video quality was consistently good.

Daytime: I could clearly recognize the faces I know at the gate, and larger branding on packages as they enter the 25ft motion detection range. However, small details on packages and number plate detailing were not as clear, unless this filled the 145° horizontal, or 83° vertical field of view.

I couldn't see the floor in front of the lens, so this, sadly, will put a lot of packages out of view. Ring and eufy doorbells often have package detection, so you're able to view the floor at your doorstep with the camera, and set alarms if anyone tries to remove it, which can help deter porch pirates. But those video doorbells cost more upfront, so on this budget-friendly Tapo, that's an area of functionality you won't have.

However, the 10x digital zoom of the D205 was exceptional; it didn't appear grainy, and details were just as clear as they were when zoomed out.

Nighttime: The video is in black and white at nighttime, enabled by two 850-nanometer infrared LEDs to allow the D205 to capture footage in low light conditions.

Overall, the picture was still clear, but a lot of detail was lost; faces needed to be close up to the camera lens for me to recognize them, and I could not read any packaging. It could, however, detect people just as quickly as during the day, which still makes it a viable security measure for the house.

In both daytime and nighttime, the D205 survived lashings of rain throughout the test period. It's an IP-54 rated device, which means that it is water-resistant, but it isn't fully waterproof.

Dynamic light: The front of our house gets a lot of sun throughout the day, which is balanced well; there is no beam of light behind a moving person, animal, or vehicle, and facial details remained clear in these bright conditions.

Audio Quality

I could clearly hear people outside standing next to the Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini, and they could clearly hear me when engaging in two-way communication with no echoes or delays.

However, when viewing live or stored footage, I noticed that the background noise (wind, traffic, etc.) sounded amplified. There was a constant low "hum" of this noise, but this doesn't interfere with the clarity of communication through the video doorbell.

This is where you feel the cost of more affordable video doorbells, as their higher-end counterparts have very effective noise cancellation to avoid wind, traffic, or background noise being picked up.

App and Smart Features

The Tapo app is simple and intuitive to use. It can be downloaded by scanning the QR code found on the box and Quick Start Guide, or direct from Google Play (Android) or App Store (iOS).

You can link it to Google Home or Amazon Alexa devices, such as the Echo Show, as another smart home gadget that receives notifications when motion or a person is detected, or when the doorbell is activated.

I found that the app was stable while using it and quick to load. I could customize how I viewed and engaged with footage easily, too. For example, you can opt to capture footage in 2k or 360p and set custom privacy zones so that you're not surveilling a neighbor's land. This is important as capturing areas of your neighbors' homes where they might expect privacy (for instance, their bedroom windows) could land you in trouble.

You can also talk through live footage, engage in two-way audio when the doorbell is activated, or, if you're not around, opt for a "quick response" to automatically respond if the doorbell isn't immediately answered.

If you're signed up to Tapo Cloud Storage, then you can also playback and download activity detected in the app. Activity is stored for 30 days, video clips can be made into a short video summary, weekly reports can be viewed, and rich notifications with snapshots will be received. I found it useful to look back through the activity outside our gate.

The D205 can be shared with up to five family members in the app so that you can manage the smart device together. Invitees will have limited permissions, and they can not modify camera settings, but they'll still be able to live view and talk.

Motion Detection and Notifications

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini can detect people when they come into range using AI algorithms, and motion within the cameras view. If either of these are enabled, you'll receive an instant notification to your phone.

To test the accuracy of the people detection and motion detection, I switched off motion detection. I waved my hand in front of the camera and received no notification. However, when I stood in front of the camera, I received a notification that a person was detected. This is good.

Both motion and people were detected as they entered the specified 25ft motion detection range. However, in reality, this range often felt a lot shorter. Neither motion nor people were detected as they approached the drive, and the camera stopped rolling as the subject was close to being out of range.

It's worth noting that, unlike the Tapo D210 Video Doorbell we reviewed, you can't set a Detection Tag in live view. This feature would draw a box around the subject (person, package, animal, vehicle) and track its movement while it's within range. I liked this detail, especially in low light levels, and it would be good to have the same access to software across all Tapo devices for consistency.

Increased sensitivity results in fewer missed recordings and notifications; lower sensitivity results in fewer unwanted recordings and notifications. By lowering the sensitivity, you will help to preserve the battery power, but I fear that this may miss some important events if you are using the D205 as a means of security.

The only time when I felt that the notifications were on overdrive was when I was taking out the trash. The D205 is located next to the trash cans, so if I were in this proximity to the camera for a couple of minutes, my phone received a notification every 20 seconds.

When the doorbell is activated, I also receive a notification on my phone. I noticed a lag time of a few seconds between pressing the button on the D205 and receiving the notification on my phone, which looked as though I was receiving a phone call.

It was quick to answer the doorbell and see who was standing outside the gate. Similarly, when motion or a person was detected, I found that I could quickly load the notification to see the activity.

The D205 can work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home to receive doorbell activations, too. As someone who has yet to set up a smart home and isn't too confident with how voice assistants can be used, I won't be compromising on how I use the device.

Power and Battery Life

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini is battery-powered, making it a fantastic renter-safe home security option. As we've previously explored, I found it easy to install and I imagine that it'll be just as easy to remove as and when needed.

It was installed next to the side gate for 14 days, and, in that time, I didn't have to recharge it, and the power levels haven't dropped as rapidly compared to other Ring-alternative video doorbells, such as the Reolink Video Doorbell (Battery), which dropped to 41% within just 10 days.

Within the time I tested the D205, the battery level depleted from 100% to 88%. Tapo suggests that the battery can last for up to 180 days, which I feel is an optimistic expectation. On the tested rate of battery usage, it would last just over 100 days.

It took more than seven hours to charge the battery when it arrived, so I'd expect it to take this amount of time (perhaps longer) to recharge. A USB charging cable is included, and you'll need to remove the D205 from the mounting plate to charge because the battery is built in. This is a long time to be without a video doorbell while it's charging, so it would be better to do this when you're at home if you're concerned about security.

Connectivity and Reliability

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini has been one of the more reliable Ring-alternative doorbells that I have tested. It didn't detect a poor signal or lose connectivity, as with the others.

It requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for a stable wireless connection. In my home, our Wi-Fi router is located behind thick, external stone walls and inside a cupboard under the stairs. With the D205 located around the side of the house on a fence, the signal had some distance to travel, and yet it remained stable.

The D205 pushed notifications to my phone when activity was detected; it did this 25 times within 24 hours, as an example. For contrast, our testers found the eufy E340 to have quite a severe lag despite being in a moderate range of the Wi-Fi router.

When subscribed to Tapo Cloud Storage, activity will also be recorded for playback and download; it'll record the activity in snippets of up to 20 seconds. It'll do this if you have a 512GB microSD card installed instead. And I could watch live footage from anywhere. I experienced fast load times and a steady live view with clear audio.

If you find that the Wi-Fi connectivity is poor or that you're missing activity, the Tapo Smart Hub with Built-In Chime ($22.99 at Amazon) can be bought to boost signal across a lower frequency broadband, so it can reach the device without interference.

Privacy and Security

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini has a couple of home privacy options, including zones to block out a neighbor's property, and Privacy Mode to disable streaming and the recording functions to protect your privacy.

I enabled a privacy zone to block footage of my neighbors' homes, opposite. I could set multiple zones, if I wanted to, and it was simple enough to move the custom zone while editing.

I also activated Privacy Mode during testing, and it worked easily. I couldn't live-stream or view any stored footage during this, as it gets automatically disabled.

Unlike other video doorbells, including the Tapo D210 Video Doorbell, I had to sign up to the Tapo Care Cloud Storage off the bat, rather than enjoy a free trial period and sign up once that ends. This means that no data will be stored unless you sign up. While the first 30-days is free, you'll be looking at paying upwards of $3.49 per month after this time to continue with access to stored footage.

If you'd prefer to not have the ongoing cost, local storage on a 512gB microSD card – like this SanDisk 512GB Ultra SDXC UHS-I Memory Card (Amazon) – is another option.

Post-installation it is unclear how my data is handled with nothing obvious to read on the app. The app also doesn't support two‑factor authentication which would provide extra login protection.

Price and Value

The Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini comes with everything that you need (aside from a screwdriver) in the box. You may feel that you would benefit from the addition of a Chime. This will ensure that you hear when the doorbell is activated.

It doesn't look as though there is a compatible chime with the D205, so either the Amazon Echo Show 11 or the Amazon Echo Dot Max would suffice. The Echo Show 11 will also display footage as you answer the activated video doorbell.

The D205 can also be connected with the Tapo Smart Hub with Built-In Chime ($22.99, Amazon) if you need to boost the signal. This can make it part of a 64-strong ecosystem of Tapo devices, so you can control and access your video doorbell, security camera, and smart lighting all from one central hub.

Aside from the small upfront cost of the Tapo D205 Video Doorbell Mini, which is typically 49.99 on Amazon, but sometimes discounted as low as $34, you will also have the ongoing cost of the Tapo Care Cloud Storage.

This is typically around $3.49 per month when the free 30-day trial ends. During the trial, you'll get 30 days of cloud video storage for events, video clips that can be made into a short video summary, weekly reports and rich notifications with snapshots.

This is notably cheaper than the Ring subscription plans, starting at $4.99 for the Basic plan, which includes up to 180 days of event history, person, package, and vehicle alerts, and video preview alerts. However, Ring video doorbells are generally more expensive than Tapo.

For example, I have the Ring Wired Doorbell Pro installed next to my front door. This costs $229.99 when not on sale at Amazon. The image quality is comparably crisper day and night, and the 1536p head-to-toe HD+ video means that I can see a complete person standing right outside our front door, rather than just the head and shoulders that I see with the D205.

If you'd prefer to avoid paying any subscription fees altogether, then I'd opt to install a 512GB memory card for local storage. This will mean that you'll get a good, affordable video doorbell for a fraction of the price of a Ring video doorbell.

Alternatively, look into buying the eufy E340 video doorbell instead. On test, we found that the eufy footage is crisp, audio is clear, and it's easy to install. Plus, you can access all features without a monthly subscription. Subscriptions will get you more storage and allow longer recordings of doorside interactions.

Installing a video doorbell is a good way to start improving your home security. Learn how else smart tech gadgets can help transform your home, and check out these home security tips to make your home safer and more secure.

After investing in a quality induction cooktop, the last thing you want is to notice unusual noises or a noticeable 'buzz' during use.

The good news is that the issue is rarely the stovetop itself − more often, it is your cookware. In fact, experts note, this can be a clear sign that your pans need replacing.

Switching to the best induction cookware with a flat, fully magnetic base can reduce the noise and improve efficiency. Here's how.

How Damaged Pans Can Cause an Induction Stove to 'Buzz'

The short answer is that your stove will often audibly 'buzz' when a pan is too thin, lightweight, or warped, preventing it from sitting flush on the induction ring.

Compared to electric cooktops, induction stoves rely on flush contact to efficiently transfer energy to the pan. Rather than heating the hob itself, they heat the cookware directly, improving both efficiency and safety. The resulting sound is caused by electromagnetic vibrations passing through the metal and is rarely a fault with the stove itself.

Luckily, this common induction hob mistake is simple to resolve, says Mike Williams of Kenyon. It is simply a sign you need to replace your pans.

'In order for an induction stove to work, you need cookware that contains iron or has a magnetic base, and a flat bottom to ensure full contact with the surface for efficient magnetic connection,' he explains. 'Those high-frequency electromagnetic fields used for heating cause the metal in the pan to vibrate rapidly.'

A thicker, flat-based pan, such as the GreenPan Spectra Thermobond Ceramic Frying Pan, or the All-Clad D3 Everyday Stainless Steel Set, will help dampen the sound, often reducing the sound to near silence while improving efficiency.

What to Shop

To quiet your cooktop and elevate your evening meals, I’ve rounded up some of the best non-toxic cookware you can invest in, along with essential induction accessories that will instantly upgrade your kitchen setup.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Not sure if your cookware is safe for induction? This quick induction magnet test can help you work it out in seconds.

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After spending a few months cooking with the Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan, I have fallen in love with stainless steel cooking. Having previously avoided the material, fearing burnt dinners and hours spent scrubbing at the sink, the heritage cookware has proven that with patience, even pans that are not naturally non-stick can produce simple yet delicious results.

In terms of the best non-toxic cookware, the heirloom quality offerings from Le Creuset are the perfect investment, promising long-term health benefits in a move away from 'forever chemicals' in a pan that you can safely use for decades without replacement.

Here is exactly how I got on with the Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan during my testing, the tiny snags and how I worked around them, and why I think this is one of the best stainless steel pans you can invest in for your home.

Product Specifications: Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan

Design and First Impressions

As with other Le Creuset products I have unboxed, the Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan came in recyclable packaging, with a sturdy cardboard box and tissue paper wrapping. There was one sticker inside the pan, which did prove difficult to get off, however after cleaning with olive oil to break down the adhesive naturally, this came away easily, allowing me to rinse the pan with warm soapy water before first use.

The pan is ready to use straight out of the box, and looks wonderful on the stove. I tested the 11-inch pan, which comes with a helper handle, helping to balance out the weight. I am able to support this pan in one hand with relative ease, but the helper handle is nice to have for moving the pan when it is particularly full, or it has been in the oven.

Cooking Performance

Cooking with stainless steel is not as simple as using non-stick, but with the right technique, you can achieve superior crispy results without the risk of 'forever chemical' contamination. The secret, I learned, is to use the Leidenfrost effect, allowing the pan to heat up enough that when you sprinkle water onto the surface, it beads and rolls away, rather than boils and steams off immediately. This indicates that you have enough of a heat barrier that food will not instantly adhere to the surface.

This does take some practise and getting used to, and is the same story with every stainless steel pan at any price point. I noticed that the three-ply Le Creuset pan, however, made it marginally easier as (when heated slowly) it heated evenly across the whole surface, preventing hot and cold spots.

To test the pan, I ran my usual delicate tests:

• Gyoza: Dumplings are one of my favorite foods, and gyoza are at the top of my list. When cooking in the Essential Stainless Steel Frying pan with a splash of oil, the dumplings browned and crisped evenly, and released without the delicate bottoms tearing.
• Tofu: Tofu is another great, delicate test, as it can tear easily and can be tricky to brown. Every time I cooked tofu in the Essential pan it did stick; however, it stuck and tore less with practice. The secret is to press as much water out as possible before adding to your oiled pan, and searing until it releases naturally. Any sticking was easily scraped away with a firmer touch, and it did not burn. Otherwise, the tofu crisped wonderfully.
• Onions: Onions are an essential test for any pan. In the Essential Frying Pan, they sauteed evenly, cooking down without scorching or sticking.
• Fried Eggs: Frying eggs took some trial and error, with one egg sticking slightly and the other releasing with ease. I think this came down to user error and not using an even coating of oil in the pan. It wasn't the easiest process, but the pan still delivered, giving crispy bases, and the stuck-on residue was easy to remove with my spatula once cooled.
• Sauces: In my liquid tests, simmering bolognaise, the liquid bubbled evenly across the surface, demonstrating wonderful heat retention and even heating, even on a stove ring smaller than the diameter of the pan.
• Pancakes: Pancakes were surprisingly easy in the pan. The batter bubbled quickly, and the pancake lifted and flipped easily without tearing or sticking, as you can see in the video below.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance

Despite food occasionally sticking, cleaning and caring for the cookware was straightforward. After letting the pan cool, I would clean it with warm soapy water and a soft dish sponge. Nine times out of ten, this delicate approach was more than enough to remove residue. When a more thorough approach was required, soaking the pan in warm soapy water often loosened the debris enough to be wiped away later.

There were two occasions where user error (i.e., heating the pan on too high a heat for too long) resulted in oil burning onto the surface. This was more difficult to remove, even after cleaning with lemon juice. Because stainless steel is so tough, however, a small amount of Barkeeper's Friend from Amazon on a soft cloth helped to buff away residue and restore the pan to new.

Storing the pan was also simple. Although it is large, and the long handle and protruding helper handle on the 11-inch model give this pan a large footprint, you can stack stainless steel pans easily without the fear of damaging delicate coatings. If you wish to prevent cosmetic scratches, you can use a standing cookware organizer like my Umbra Peggy Organizer from Walmart, or felt pan stackers from Amazon to help save space.

How Does the Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan Compare?

The Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan fares well against similar competition. While it is on the more expensive side, given the nature of the brand heritage, it promises heirloom quality.

In comparison to cookware such as the recently reviewed All-Clad D3 Everyday Stainless Steel Cookware Set, another on-par brand for quality, the Le Creuset pan performed just as well in every test, except for frying an egg, where the All-Clad just had the upper hand on easy release. That said, the All-Clad pan is more expensive at the recommended retail price, costing $139.99 compared to the Le Creuset at $125 (at the time of writing). When you consider the tiny difference, I think it makes the Le Creuset pick worth it.

My Verdict: Should You Buy The Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan?

After using this pan religiously for several months, I can strongly recommend the Le Creuset Essential Stainless Steel Frying Pan to anyone looking for a durable, heirloom-quality stainless steel pan to upgrade their kitchen.

So long as you select stainless steel with the knowledge that it takes more work and practise than non-stick, you are sure to see promising rewards across a range of dishes. That said, for very delicate tasks such as fried eggs, I would still suggest a ceramic non-stick pan, especially for those new to stainless steel cooking or who want a quick, fuss-free breakfast routine. Otherwise, I cannot fault the performance, nor the quality.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

I test all cookware in my own home under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

If you are considering stainless steel for the first time when choosing the best cookware, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite accessories to help you make the most of your new pans, with fewer of the learning curves I had to work through.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

If you are looking to detoxify the rest of your kitchen setup, next consider the best non-toxic kitchen appliances.

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I was never sure ceramic pans would be worth the money. However, after testing the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware, I can firmly say I have been converted.

Offering superior non-stick performance without the risk of 'forever chemicals', the titanium-reinforced ceramic non-toxic cookware offered both peace of mind and simpler mid-week cooking, with delicious results to boot. My only concern? Longevity.

This is how I found using the Zwilling Milano cookware set, specifically the saucepan, frying pan, saute pan, and wok, over the last month, and the small niggles that knocked off a star.

Product Specifications: Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware

Design and First Impressions

There is no denying that the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware looks good. Available in matte black, blue, and brown (all with brass-effect handles), the pans cut a fine figure on my cooktop, giving them their first win.

Each pan was boxed individually and came in 100% recyclable packaging, with no plastic or tape getting in the way. The careful folds of the box and the pretty tissue paper protected both the pans and the glass lids from knocks and damage in transit.

One thing I did notice right out of the box was the weight. These are premium pans, and they feel it. The larger pans, notably the saute pan and wok, were tricky to hold in one hand for too long, even for my partner, who is a climber, meaning he has fantastic grip strength. This is accounted for in the design, with the larger pans having helper handles.

Each pan was washed with warm soapy water as instructed before first use.

Cooking Performance

Using the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware was a dream. It was my first time using ceramic non-stick, but I found it easier to use than traditional PFAS-based non-stick cookware. The added peace of mind they gave me made the whole process far more enjoyable.

Each pan heated evenly, all the way to the rims, and retained heat as I cooked, which led to a few scorched onions during the first few uses when I forgot to turn down the heat accordingly. I found that I was generally able to use lower temperatures, as the cold-forged aluminum cores did most of the work for me. The long handles came in useful here, as the edges of the pan were searing to the touch, even on stove rings that were smaller than the diameter of the pan.

One thing to note is that each pan gave off a slightly strange smell on the first use. Even after washing, there was a slight 'factory' smell as it heated. This occurred with every pan on the first use, but not beyond that. It did not affect flavor, either.

Besides cooking, serving was also slightly cumbersome due to the weight of the larger pans. The saute pan, for instance, was difficult to hold in one hand, even for my gym-going partner, meaning we could not pour from it into bowls. A serving spoon fixed this (specifically a silicone spoon from Walmart, as metal utensils can damage the coating), but it is something to note if you have lessened grip strength. This is not as much of an issue with the smaller saucepan and frying pan.

To help you choose the best cookware, we test the same foods in all of our pans, to give you a fair overview:

• Gyoza: I always joke that dumplings are my favorite 'food group', so this is an important test to pass. The Milano frying pan handled the delicate challenge with ease, crisping the bases and releasing perfectly. No complaints.
• Tofu: Tofu is another great, delicate test, as it can tear easily and can be tricky to brown. The Milano wok handled it with ease, developing a wonderfully even golden edge with no sticking.
• Onions: Onions are the base of several cuisines, so it is important for a pan to caramelize them without sticking and scorching. The wok, frying pan, and saute pan all handled this with ease. The only scorching occurred as a result of user error and heating the pan too much.
• Pancakes: Pancakes bubbled evenly in the frying pan, released with ease for neat flipping, and did not stick.
• Fried Eggs: Fried eggs developed a crisp base without sticking. The pans were so nonstick that it was actually difficult to pick them out of the pan with a spatula (see the video below).
• Chicken Stir Fry: Chicken browned evenly, developing great color and flavor, and the added vegetables and noodles were easy to stir up, thanks to the large capacity.
• Sauces: In our liquid tests, simmering bolognaise, the liquid bubbled evenly across the surface, and when left to cook, it did not stick or burn.
• Rice: When cooking rice in the saucepan, it boiled evenly, and the grains were light and fluffy. The rice was easy to serve, with no sticking to the edges. Starch also washed off easily afterwards, too.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance

Cleaning the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware was a breeze. Zwilling states that the pans are dishwasher safe, but I hand-washed the pans with ease using a soft dish sponge and non-toxic dish soap (such as Attitude dish soap, from Walmart). Residue came away easily with zero scrubbing, taking only a few seconds per pan.

When storing the pans, you must avoid stacking them to prevent damaging the delicate ceramic coating. For this, felt pan stackers, available at Amazon, can come in handy, especially if you are short on kitchen storage.

During the review process, I stored the pans with their glass lids on. After a few weeks, I noticed some damage to the rims of the most-used saute and saucepan, where the blue ceramic had chipped away. At first, I thought this may be from balancing the metal handles of my silicone utensils against the edge of the cookware on the stove, but the chips can also be found on the saucepan, in which I have only ever used wooden tools, which debunks this theory. I am left under the assumption that the damage is from the lids.

This does raise concerns about the general longevity of the cookware, especially at the premium cost. What's more, I did experience some water getting stuck in the edge of the lid, which I could not get out again.

How Does the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware Compare?

The Zwilling Milano cookware stands up well against similarly positioned ceramic cookware. As with the Our Place Essentials Cookware, reviewed by Punteha van Terheyden, the ceramic coating is wonderfully non-stick, washes well, and cooks evenly. They are similar in weight, too. The difference lies in the longevity promise and price.

In her review, Punteha had no quality issues with the coating, with no reports thus far of chips or damage with frequent use. At $349.95 for an 11-piece set, they also come in significantly cheaper than the $599.99 five-piece Zwilling Milano set (at the time of writing).

Customer reviews on Zwilling's site largely agree with me. Verified shoppers around the world praise the excellent non-stick qualities, beautiful design, and ease of cleaning. However, there are similar mentions in a review by Ilona, of chips around the rims after a few uses, even after washing, which supports my concerns about long-term longevity. What's more, several reviews mention water sticking in the rims of the glass lids.

My Verdict: Should You Buy The Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware?

All in all, I do generally recommend the Zwilling Milano Ceramic Non-Stick Cookware, even with my concerns about longevity and water sticking in the lids. The results cannot be argued with, offering crisp bases at lower temperatures, even searing, and delicious, non-toxic results. They also look and feel premium, offering a wonderful pop of color to my counter.

The chips on the rims cannot be ignored, of course, but they have not, thus far, affected the cooking surface itself. I am going to try to test the pans for longer to monitor for additional damage, and will hopefully report back if needed. All in all, now understanding the true fragility of the coating, adjusting care by maintaining hand washing over dish washing, and avoiding balancing metal-handle tools or lids on the rims when cooking and in storage should hopefully mitigate future issues.

All in all, despite the price, they are a good investment, and I cannot fault the cooking experience and delicious results. With careful use, they are worth it; however, I would recommend waiting for a sale to find more value.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

I test all cookware in my own home under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

To help you get the best performance from your ceramic non-stick cookware, I’ve curated six essential accessories and care tools designed to protect the coating and streamline everyday cooking.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

Looking to make your cookware investments last for decades to come? Brush up on how to clean and care for every type of cookware.

Love the latest product news and helpful shopping advice? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

After recently spending two weeks travelling between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and more rural spots along the Southwestern coast, every shop, temple, onsen, and hotel I entered all had one thing in common − they all smelled incredible.

Most noticeably, it was clean, citrussy, and fresh scents that I noticed: Think floral sakura, warm hinoki wood, and aromatic notes of green tea. Everywhere I went was a calm, curated, fresh-smelling space.

Eager to replicate the results myself, I spoke to scent experts to learn their favorite Japanese-inspired ways to make your home smell nice.

5 Japanese Home Fragrance Favorites

1. Yuzu

As Maiko Shimazaki, founder of Revitalist15, a wellness brand rooted in Japanese relaxation rituals, shares, yuzu has long been used in Japanese baths, especially during the winter solstice tradition called yuzuyu, where the fruits are floated whole in hot baths.

'Compared to Western citrus scents like lemon or grapefruit, yuzu is softer and more nuanced, with a gentle bitterness and subtle herbal undertone,' she explains. 'The scent feels fresh and uplifting without being overpowering, which is why it’s so commonly used in Japanese homes, spas, and wellness spaces. It’s often associated with relaxation, warmth, and emotional calm.'

To enjoy this lightly bitter, citrussy scent at home, the LA JOLIE MUSE Yuzu & Neroli Blossom Candle, available at Amazon, will make a worthy addition to any best candle collection.

Alternatively, if you're green-fingered, you could also try your hand at growing yuzu at home, which will flower in late spring next year.

2. Hinoki

As we walked part of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, the subtle smell of hinoki wood lingered beautifully in the air, and quickly became one of my favorite parts of the trip − so much so that we bought some home to fill a bowl in our bathroom.

'Hinoki, a Japanese cypress wood, is one of the most iconic scent notes in Japan,' says Mint Pattanan, founder of Kandlery, an eco-luxe home fragrance brand specializing in Asian inspired scents. 'It is commonly used in temples, onsens, and traditional bath rituals.

'The scent has a soft woody aroma with subtle citrus and earthy undertones that many people associate with calmness, mindfulness, and relaxation. It creates a spa-like atmosphere and helps make a home feel peaceful and uncluttered.'

For that reason, it's particularly perfect for making a bathroom smell like a luxury spa. Both hinoki essential oil, available at Amazon, and this hinoki reed diffuser will hit all the right notes.

'These scents are popular because they feel clean, restorative, and mentally calming,' adds Maiko.

3. Green Tea and Matcha

'Tea scents are deeply connected to Japanese culture through tea ceremonies and everyday moments of pause,' says Mint. 'Notes like green tea and matcha are popular because they feel soft and balanced.

'They bring a subtle freshness to the home while also creating a comforting and meditative atmosphere.'

This Rewined Gourmand Matcha Latte Tin Candle, available at Anthropologie, perfectly captures the warming, earthy, creamy scent of matcha, which I enjoyed each and every day in Japan, and regularly drink at home, too.

4. Sakura

I was lucky enough to experience Japan at the start of spring, and blooming cherry blossom was a frequent sight − and smell − throughout our stay.

'Sakura is one of the most culturally symbolic scents in Japan because cherry blossoms represent both the arrival of spring and the fleeting nature of life,' says Maiko. 'The scent itself is soft, delicate, and slightly powdery.

'Unlike heavier floral fragrances, sakura creates a gentle ambient softness rather than dominating a space. It feels calming, nostalgic, and quietly optimistic, which is why it remains such a beloved home and personal fragrance in Japan.'

I have the cherry blossom and rice milk RITUALS The Ritual of Sakura Candle, available at Amazon, in my own home, and it's also the scent I wore every day on the trip. You can also grow flowering cherry trees in pots for bountiful blooms next spring.

5. Musk

Finally, says Mint, 'In Japanese fragrance preferences, musk is often used in a lighter and cleaner way compared to heavier Western interpretations,' and it's perfect for fragrance layering.

'Soft musk adds warmth and softness to a space without becoming overwhelming. It helps fragrances feel calming, skin-like, and minimal.'

The Honeypot Fresh Neroli & Vanilla Musk Glass Candle, available at Anthropologie, combines those more subtle notes with uplifting floral neroli, while the LA JOLIE MUSE Ginger & White Musk Candle, available at Amazon, features spicy ginger and fresh lemongrass.

What to Shop

If you want to bring a touch of Japan into your space, these quick ways to make your home smell nice are easy to add and enjoy.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

These Japanese sleep secrets pair perfectly with a beautifully fragranced home.

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Transforming awkward cabinets in your kitchen will do wonders for maximizing your storage space and speeding up tasks in the heart of your home.

As someone who has a small kitchen and mobility issues that make it difficult to bend down, I’m using this Pre-Assembled Solid Wood Cabinet Organizer Drawer addition from Wayfair to easily create a pull-out pantry.

In place of a beautiful, small pantry idea, this is the perfect organizing workaround that will revolutionize this compact space. It could have many uses in yours, too.

This premium pull-out kitchen storage idea is exactly what will improve the most annoying parts of your cabinets. The areas you cannot see at the back will be able to be reached with the pull-out trays, whilst accessibility remains sturdy.

In my awkward storage spaces, I currently have plastic baskets that have to be manually pulled out to access, which is heavy and difficult for me to do alone.

These well-built trays, however, sit on side-bolted runners that allow smooth movement without compromising on organization – the low sides will keep everything in place, be it pots and pans, appliances, canned food, plates, or more.

Plus, you don’t have to have any in-depth kitchen fitting or DIY experience to install it with ease. It comes with all the hardware needed, and you’ll only need to secure four screws to mount it securely in your cabinet, either on the sides or underneath. Simply identify if you have a face-frame cabinet or a frameless one, then measure your cabinet’s opening, and select the appropriate width as instructed.

Be mindful of any door hinges or internal fixtures in your storage space that might get in the way of the tray being able to fit or be pulled out easily to optimize this useful addition.

What Shoppers Say

It’s no wonder that it’s garnered an average shopper rating of 4.7/5 stars on Wayfair, where the item is available to purchase fully assembled and ready to fit.

Verified buyer Samantha, who gave it five stars, said, ‘This was pretty easy to install and so worth it. Makes a cabinet so much more useful. Measurements are pretty exact. Smooth glide out. Works perfectly and quick to install!’

Joanna adds, ‘Easy to install. I am absolutely enjoying the convenience of these pull-out tray drawers. Great investment!

Others praise its fast installation, how well designed they are, and the premium feel. Claudia adds that it’s been a game-changer for accessibility, explaining, ‘Great device, well-made, and really helps to keep my cabinet organized. I’m 5 feet and can never see what’s in the back of my shelves.’

More Cabinet Organizers

Regardless of how large or small your pantry, kitchen shelves or cabinets are, if you skip organizers, the content will quickly devolve into an unhelpful mess.

Here's a roundup of the most useful organizers for busy kitchens.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Next, explore organizing tips experts swear by.

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In my opinion, there is no better summer appliance than a pizza oven. But after months spent outside or in outdoor storage over winter, you might return to find the all-important pizza stone has cracked.

The culprit is often moisture, says pizza expert Vickie Hawley, founder of Delivita. Repeated exposure to fluctuating temperatures – especially during early spring use – allows moisture trapped in the stone to expand and contract, eventually causing it to crack and bringing this year’s pizza parties to a halt.

Fortunately, the fix is simple: A well-fitting cover that protects your best pizza oven year-round. Here’s how to keep your oven safe and ready for summer cooking.

One of the biggest pizza oven mistakes is assuming that, because many models are designed for outdoor use, it is fine to leave them exposed year-round or simply tuck them into outdoor storage. In reality, temperature fluctuations can quickly damage the stone – especially if you do not clean a pizza stone properly after its last use.

Vickie, founder of Delivita, explains, 'Pizza stones can crack due to thermal shock caused by rapid temperature changes and moisture exposure. If a hot pizza stone is left outside and temperatures suddenly drop, especially overnight, the combination of retained heat and moisture can weaken the material and lead to cracking.

'Moisture can also cause the stone to crack when reheated, as any trapped water expands under high temperatures.'

The trick is to find the perfect cover for your pizza oven, so that it seals tightly around the base to protect against harsh temperature fluctuations, she explains. A durable, weatherproof cover helps shield the oven from sudden temperature swings and keeps moisture out, protecting the stone and ensuring your oven is ready for use.

Beyond choosing the right cover, Vickie also stresses the importance of curing your stone after prolonged disuse, before the first use, and after cleaning a pizza oven.

'The curing process involves gradually increasing the oven's temperature using kindling and an eco firelighter, maintaining a steady temperature of 200-250°C (392-482°F) for four to five hours, and avoiding hardwood logs during this time,' she explains.

This slow, controlled heating process helps evaporate any residual moisture trapped in the stone, reducing the risk of cracks.

What Else to Shop

To perfect the art of artisanal pizza at home, you need more than just the perfect pizza recipes. I have rounded up six of my favorite tools and accessories to help elevate this summer's Italian-inspired entertaining.

All prices correct at time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Did you know that your pizza oven is for more than just pizza? We have rounded up a chef-approved list of other things you can cook in a pizza oven to make the most of your appliance this summer.

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One of the most heralded laundry practices is drying linens and garments in the great outdoors. Effective at combatting musty odors, sun-bleaching lingering stains, and leaving laundry dry and fresh for free, it's a simple way to get multiple loads dry in minimal time.

And, with the IKEA JÄLL Drying Rack, it's easier than ever. The clever design, typical of the retailer, folds completely flat for storage when not in use, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor drying − all for just $11.99.

It's a budget-friendly addition to your routine that will mean you can enjoy the benefits of air-drying laundry throughout spring and summer without the space-zapping clutter of a large rack that's hard to hide.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

One of the easiest ways to make laundry smell better is drying it outdoors, particularly on a warm, breezy day. The crisp, fresh results simply cannot be replicated by artificial dryer sheets and softeners, and the sunlight also has the added benefits of killing any lingering bacteria and brightening whites.

It's not just banishing odors that drying laundry outdoors is good for, either. It's also an effective way to save money on your laundry, reducing energy costs and entirely eliminating how much it costs to run a tumble dryer, all while effectively getting mildew smells out of clothes and towels.

If you're in the market for a new rack, the IKEA JÄLL Drying Rack is a perfect contender − compact, lightweight, and easy to store and carry, it can be conveniently used both indoors and outside, and is gentler on both your clothes and the environment. No wonder shoppers love it.

What Shoppers Say

'Fits perfectly in our laundry room!' beams one recent review on the IKEA site. 'This is exactly what my laundry room has needed! I've used it both indoors and out. Holds a lot more than you might think for the size and folds away to store easily when you're done,' highlighting that it's suitable for even the smallest of laundry rooms. 'Thanks for a great and useful product!'

Another, from Angela, dubs it 'perfection,' and adds that it's excellent for air drying outside and inside, holds a lot of items, and is great 'where space is premium,' to maximize space in a small laundry room and help avoid any small laundry room mistakes.

A third, from Karen, echoes that it's brilliant for spaces where adding one of the best clothes dryers isn't an option.

'This is so convenient to use and to put away,' they write. 'I use it indoors when the weather is bad outside. When the weather is nice, I use it outside. Lightweight and so easy to fold up and store. Plus, the price is fantastic.'

As Karen highlights, as it can be used both inside and outdoors, it's ideal for drying clothes in a small space, meaning you'll get plenty of use out of it throughout fall and winter, too.

What to Shop

Below, you can shop from a curated selection of laundry room accessories, all of which sit among the things organized people have in their laundry rooms and serve to elevate your everyday laundry routine.

Explore our smart ways to do less laundry to lighten the load.

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I'm a big believer that the way you fragrance your home should blend seamlessly with your decor. From gorgeously intricate candle vessels to fluted glass diffusers with statement reeds, the scents you choose should become an intrinsic part of your interior design, not a standalone aspect.

One area where I've noticed this takes on a particular tune all of its own is essential oil diffusers, where models tastefully designed to look like stone sculptures blend into surrounding spaces without the usual bulky, plasticky look of more traditional options.

This is something we're coining as 'Botanical Minimalism,' in an ode to the way they blend with biophilic design, and interior designers agree that these elegant essential oil diffusers work to make a home feel cohesively sophisticated.

Why Stone Home Fragrance Diffusers Look Effortlessly Stylish

There are so many ways to make your home smell nice, but they're not always necessarily the most attractive additions to your space. While I love the look of a lit candle, and, in my experience, the best reed diffusers tend to combine style with functionality, it's essential oil diffusers that I feel often fall short when it comes to being design-forward.

Of course, though, like with anything, there are exceptions to that rule − sculptural diffusers, such as the Vitruvi Stone Diffuser, available at Williams Sonoma, are thoughtfully designed to blend with the natural elements of your home, like flowers and indoor plants, which make a living room smell nice, for example. This is what we're calling 'botanical minimalism.'

Kanika Bakshi Khurana, Founder and Principal Designer of Kanika Design, works on residential interiors where small details like scent and objects are carefully integrated to feel cohesive with the overall design.

'Diffusers that have a stone finish work beautifully because they match natural materials used throughout the house,' she says. 'The materials, the weight, and a matte finish give them something of a sculptural feel that makes them more like decor as opposed to a device.

'On the other hand, plastic diffusers tend to come across as mostly utilitarian. They can break the visual rhythm of a space, particularly as interiors become focused on more natural materials and a calmer palette.'

And, in terms of styling this non-toxic way to make your home smell nice, 'Placement is key,' advises Kanika. 'We know stone diffusers are meant to fill a home with fragranced air,' she explains, 'but I like to think of them as decorative objects that I place on trays, shelves, or side tables near art books, ceramics, or other elements from nature. It makes them feel part of something instead of separate.

'Sticking to a palette for the surroundings also helps. The use of neutral tones, soft textures, and organic materials, like wood and linen, reinforces the botanical minimalism aesthetic. And to achieve that, it helps not to crowd the area and allow the diffuser to be a light show.'

What to Shop

Below, you can shop from a selection of beautiful stone ceramic essential oil diffusers and essential oils for a perfect pairing to scent your home all spring and summer long, without open flames or any high maintenance.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

If you prefer the flicker of a flame when scenting your space, shop my selection of the best candles for spring and summer.

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Stacking organizers vertically is the ultimate cheat for space-saving functionality. That’s why IKEA’s clever pine food stacker is perfect for busy kitchens.

Not only do the curved lines add visual intrigue and allow easy access for cooking, but the materials used are non-toxic and ideal for safe food storage and, therefore, a healthier home. No wonder shoppers love IKEA's CHOKLADHAJ food boxes.

Use them side by side or stacked, in a pantry, drawer, or on your countertop – this compact $14.99 set is so useful for clearing clutter across multiple areas when organizing your kitchen.

The materials of this item are perfect if, like me, you’re switching out harmful plastics in your kitchen to help create a more non-toxic home.

Forever chemicals and microplastics in cookware can leach into or onto your food, which is why IKEA’s pine offering has caught my eye. It’s finished with natural oils, and with stainless steel nails and hardware. This makes the entire set safe for contact with food.

Though, of course, you don’t have to use it for food. It’s a great small kitchen organizer for your smaller utensils and accessories, or even as an easy-access herb and spice storage option.

Why Smart Organizers Keep Kitchen Clutter at Bay

Having simple organizing systems in place so every item in your home has a permanent place is the key to keeping your space tidy long-term. If items don’t have a set home, especially in busy rooms such as kitchens, they’ll end up cluttering your counters, jamming up drawers, or worse, going to waste at the back of your pantry or fridge.

That’s why IKEA’s CHOKLADHAJ food storage boxes are so handy. They’re not oversized, so they can live on your counter if you wish without blocking the space you need to prep meals. They’ll also stack neatly on a pantry shelf, inside an accessible drawer, or on a rolling island. This makes it a useful addition to small kitchens without feeling like you’ve had to sacrifice vital prep and serving space.

To clean, use a damp cloth. The pine is lightweight, and the non-toxic steel fixings make it a sturdy organizer for those heavier produce items. Avoid making it too wet or using harsh soaps, as the oil that’s been used to protect the pine provides a protective layer to stop it cracking or splintering over time.

You can refresh it with food-safe wood oil, such as Howard Products Food Grade Mineral Oil for Wood, available on Amazon. The oil is also perfect for maintaining wooden butcher blocks (our in-house chef loves the Boos Block available at WILLIAMS SONOMA), oiling your wooden countertops, and for taking care of cooking utensils.

What Shoppers Say

Rated an average of 4.5/5, IKEA shoppers love how handy and compact these stacking organizers are in the kitchen, using them for decluttering, space saving on items in the kitchen, or on the table, and even at their home office desks.

Several shopper reviews note the size being smaller than they were expecting from the photos, and note that the boxes will hold enough produce for two people, so if you have a larger family, consider buying two or more sets to allow enough room for the volume of fresh produce your household will go through in a week.

Sheryl did just that. She gave the set 5/5 stars for ‘great’ counter storage, adding, ‘I bought two sets. Needing something for potatoes and onions. Along with somewhere to stow my mortar and pestle. At first sight, they look small, but these are perfect. It is a great solution. I'm going to be getting some more for my pantry.’

Donna, who also awarded the item five stars, says they are ‘so useful and cute’, and bought multiple sets for her home. She says, ‘Bought three and loved them up side by side, perpendicular to the wall, to create a 6” wide “slot” behind them to hold my cutting boards. Bonus: Bread knife slips between two of them, so it’s handy instead of being shoved into a drawer. Love these!’

Megan used it to instantly fix her countertop clutter problem: ‘I bought these for fun because I was annoyed by how much fruit would spill over out of a previous fruit bowl, and I cannot believe how much capacity this has while still taking up so little space on my counter! I bought two sets, and it's plenty of storage for apples, garlic, onions, etc. I have a small kitchen, and it feels like I got a whole new space because of how beautiful these are and how much counter space this saves.’

Others use it as a makeshift coffee station, holding their Keurig K-Cup coffee pods without sacrificing ‘a lot of space on my counter’, cementing the set's versatility.

More Useful Non-Toxic Kitchen Organizers

Keeping your kitchen streamlined is a constant, evolving process as your cooking style changes from season to season, and new small appliances and non-toxic cookware are brought in. It’s important to declutter your cabinets every six months to ensure that your storage’s functionality still matches your lifestyle.

Here is a selection of my most useful and favorite organizers that enable long-term tidiness in my kitchen.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

IKEA's non-toxic bamboo fruit storage tower is also excellent for space-saving organisation of fresh produce, and pretty enough to leave in view.

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With hot weather and rising humidity, it’s the ideal time to switch out any lingering winter clothes from your closet and reclaim vital space.

As someone with only 20 inches of hanging rail space in my tiny closet, I always rely on Amazon’s vacuum storage bags, which compact down by 80%, to easily switch out and store clothes I don’t need from one season to the next.

Rotating and storing clothes for the longer term is the golden rule for an organized closet, and right now in May, it’s the perfect time to do so, as chilly starts and cooler evenings are long gone. Repeating this cycle in the fall will mean your closet will never be cluttered or hard to use, and will remain streamlined all year long.

When we had our built-ins made for our primary bedroom in 2021, I purposefully gave myself a small closet with minimal hanging space and three well-placed drawers. This meant I not only had to be mindful about my spending, and still to this day operate a strict one in, one out decluttering policy, but it also means I stay on top of decluttering my closet with a seasonal capsule selection of clothing.

That’s why vacuum storage bags have been my longstanding solution for storing clothes safely, without any risk of moth damage, dust, or musty smells and mold developing in the months they stay out of sight inside my ottoman bed storage space. It also comes with a hand pump for ease.

While other storage options exist, such as BED BATH & BEYOND’S $15 zipper cases with viewing windows, when you’re tight on space, the simplest answer is to compress what you have and maximize your storage options.

Features I Like

I always use vacuum bags; however, once you have filled them with bulky items and sucked out the air using your vacuum, they take up hardly any space. My ones bring an 80% reduction. Plus, the seal on these is particularly good too, so you won’t find them slowly letting in air and losing that compaction that makes them an absolute genius solution for storing your out-of-season clothes.

I particularly like using them for my thick cardigans, sweaters, coats, and winter bedding, too.

Before storing them, I make sure to wash and fully dry them. That way, when you come to switch out your summer bedding and clothes for your cozy winter items in the fall, they will still be smelling fresh and ready to use and won’t need another round of laundering.

I also like to place gently fragranced Fresh Linen sachets, available at Walmart, inside each bag to help maintain that lovely ‘just washed’ smell.

What I have found during usage to avoid the seal breaking and air rushing back in is to leave the top quarter empty. This means the pressure of the clothing volume won’t be near the weakest part of the bag, thereby keeping it closed for months without issue.

Pest Protection as Standard

The tight seal on these bags also means extra protection for your clothes and bedding from indoor pests such as moths, and will reduce the risk of any mold building up whilst hidden away in the warmer months. You can store the packs under your bed, at the back of your closet (if you have the space), or even in your basement.

I would, however, recommend checking in on them every six to eight weeks if you’re storing the bags in an area of your home without air conditioning, such as your attic or garage.

What Shoppers Say

More than 3000 Amazon shoppers rate this jumbo set, which measures 47 by 35 inches for maximum storage, on average, as a 4.4 out of five stars.

One shopper, who gave it full marks, says it’s a ‘total win’, adding,’ This box comes with a variety of bag sizes and a pump. The material is light plastic and sturdy enough to withstand several uses, but thin enough to do the job. I easily fit two medium-sized bed pillows in one large bag to take overseas, as well as a couple of medium-sized bags for clothes. Everything worked like a charm, and I'm thrilled at how effortless and worthwhile the whole thing was! It works, it's easy, and the price is so low!’

Another called it a ‘perfect organizer,’ and explained: ‘I bought this to save space on my closet [and] I've been vacuuming blankets, bed sheets, jackets. This is so perfect when I have [to] store my winter items in the summer. Save me so much space, and it's easy to use and very durable. And it protects my clothes and beddings from dust.’

Many praise the volume of items they can fit inside, with one happy shopper adding, ‘They are huge, and they hold large king-size quilts to store under the bed!’

More Closet Organizing Essentials

To keep your closet streamlined and highly functional, removing out-of-season clothing is the first step. Here are the other essentials I use year-round for the ultimately organized space.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

There are other ways to use vacuum bags if you live in a compact home or if you wish to maximize your storage.

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After years of relying on non-stick pans, I finally decided to try a classic All-Clad stainless-steel pan set. I haven’t looked back.

I tested the pieces included in the All-Clad S3 Everyday 5-piece set for about a month to see if I could live without non-stick pans for good. I was happily surprised by what I found.

The testing came at just the right time, as my old trusty non-stick pans had started to chip. After using this non-toxic cookware set for a few months, I will admit that I have fallen in love with it and will certainly be expanding my collection.

Product Specifications: All-Clad D3 Everyday Stainless Everyday 3-Ply Bonded Essential Cookware

Design and First Impressions

All-Clad’s D3 Everyday 5-Piece Set looks timeless on my kitchen counter and on my stovetop. Although some brands try to get your attention with flashy colors or modern design elements, All-Clad’s D3 Everyday Set is a classic, shiny stainless-steel set that goes with any type of decor and will never go out of style.

The set shipped in minimalist packaging, using only enough plastic to protect the included pots and pans.

The D3 Everyday Set has some weight to it due to its solid construction, but it’s easy to move around.

All-Clad’s D3 Everyday Set requires a little more work than non-stick pans. However, prepping them for use doesn’t take long, and cleaning isn’t as difficult as I feared.

What I appreciate most is the sense of longevity the set offers. Made by All-Clad, it feels like cookware designed to last for years. Unlike many non-stick pans that need replacing every few years, this is cookware I expect to keep in rotation for a long time, without constantly checking for the scratches or wear that signal it’s time to replace your pans.

I also don’t have to worry about inadvertently exposing my children to toxic materials or 'forever chemicals', sometimes found in non-stick cookware, so the extra work is worth the trade-off for me.

I had previously turned to a ceramic-coated stainless-steel pan, hoping for greater longevity. However, I quickly became disillusioned when my pricey pan warped after just a few months. These stainless steel pans feel like heirloom quality.

Cooking Performance

After washing the pans with soap and water, I put the set to work right away. Cooking with stainless steel initially felt unfamiliar; I was used to non-stick, but the adjustment was easier than expected.

With a little heat and oil, stainless steel can behave much like a non-stick surface. According to All-Clad’s instructions for the All-Clad D3 Everyday Cookware Set, the key is proper preheating. Start by warming the pan, then add a few drops of water. When the droplets begin to dance across the surface (the Leidenfrost effect), and a faint wisp of vapor appears, the pan is ready to cook in.

At first, the process sounded more complicated than it is. In practice, it takes just a couple of minutes, and after a week of cooking with the set, it quickly becomes second nature. Many stainless steel cookware brands recommend a similar method.

Then, I tested the pans using four standard ingredients:

• Onions: I make fried onions at least once a week, so using a pan that produces perfectly caramelized onions is important to me. In every test, my D3 Everyday pan sizzled evenly, creating perfectly caramelized onions. The onions never stuck, and they colored nicely without scorching.
• Sauce: To test how well the set handles sauce, I simmered an entire jar of Rao’s marinara sauce in the pan. It started simmering in one minute and 22 seconds. The sauce simmered evenly throughout the pan.
• Seared tofu: Because I am a vegetarian, I seared tofu as part of my testing. The D3 Everyday pan produced a perfect golden brown, although it did stick slightly in places. This was easily removed with my spoon, however.
• Fried eggs: My fried eggs fried easily with nice, crispy edges. They slid out of the pan easily on almost all of my trials. There was one exception where I believe I did not add enough oil to the pan to make it non-stick, so I attribute that mistake to user error rather than a fault with the pan. For this trial, my egg still slid out easily, but I noticed some burnt residue left behind.

Overall, my D3 Everyday pots and pans are a joy to use. They need more care and attention than non-stick pans, but no more than any other stainless-steel cookware. Learning how to use and clean them properly was a bit of a learning curve. However, getting the hang of it didn’t take long, and the extra steps became second nature and easy to execute within a week.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance

All-Clad’s D3 Everyday line is relatively easy to clean, though not as easy as non-stick cookware. After most uses, I was able to clean the pots and pans in the set with warm water, soap, and a sponge. Occasionally, I needed to soak the pans in warm water with a few drops of soap for about 10-15 minutes to loosen some stuck food. That’s something I rarely had to do when using non-stick pans, but it’s not difficult. I can go about my day as the pans soak without giving them a second thought.

All-Clad recommends using baking soda to remove burned-on food and a cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend, from Walmart, or Bon Ami, from Amazon, to remove other types of tough-to-clean spots. In my weeks of testing, I never had to use anything other than soap and water to make my cookware sparkle like new. Since All-Clad has clean lines, there aren’t any nooks and crannies for food to get stuck in, making cleaning easier.

All-Clad recommends hand-washing its cookware rather than placing it in the dishwasher. While some users report running their pots and pans through a dishwasher without issue, the brand advises against it, noting that repeated dishwasher cycles can gradually damage stainless steel and lead to small surface pits.

According to All-Clad, these pits won’t affect cooking performance, but they can detract from the clean, polished finish the brand is known for. To preserve the look, I plan to hand-wash my All-Clad D3 Everyday Cookware Set and keep it in good condition for years to come.

Storage has been straightforward, too. I can easily fit every piece from the set into my standard-sized kitchen cabinets.

What Customers Say About All-Clad's Stainless Steel Pans

Fellow customers also love All-Clad’s D-3 set.

On the All-Clad site, verified shopper Kelley shared, 'Little bit of a learning curve after using non-stick cookware for years, but I'm getting the hang of it and learning a few new tricks. Early results are great, and I love the heft and style of these pots and pans. They clean up nicely and look like new when dried right after washing.'

Fellow shopper A. Mason adds, 'I absolutely love this set. It's comfortable to hold, well weighted, and doesn't slip on my glass range. I accidentally forgot my pot on the stove and boiled the water out of it – and it had black spots on the bottom and a rose-gold hue (extreme oxidation) overall, and I was able to clean it up within minutes with a quick soak in Barkeeper's friend (note: Not too long or it will dull the finish). It was amazing, cleaned right up, and didn't warp. It's as good as new. I love this set and plan to use it for a lifetime!'

Overall, customers looking for an alternative to non-stick pans that they hope will last a decade or more are happy with All-Clad’s D3 Everyday Set.

Most of the negative reviews I saw center on unhappiness with All-Clad’s customer service. Some reviewers complain about food sticking to their pans, but it’s unclear whether those reviewers followed All-Clad’s recommended steps to prevent sticking. Moreover, because the D3 Everyday collection is not non-stick, some sticking is expected from time to time.

My Verdict: Should You Buy The All-Clad D3 Everyday Stainless Everyday Essential Cookware Set?

The All-Clad D3 Everyday Cookware Set is an excellent stainless-steel option, particularly for home cooks who are reconsidering traditional non-stick pans. After all, even Ina Garten relies on All-Clad cookware in her Hamptons kitchen.

Compared with non-stick cookware, stainless steel requires a few extra steps, both when preheating the pan and when cleaning up afterward, so it may not be the most convenient choice for every home cook. The pieces are also not dishwasher safe, which is worth considering before investing.

Still, for anyone seeking heirloom-quality cookware, the set is an excellent choice. The pots and pans feel exceptionally durable, cook evenly, and maintain the polished, professional look stainless steel is known for.

From a value perspective, the set also makes sense. All-Clad’s D3 Everyday pieces are built to last far longer than most non-stick cookware, which often needs replacing every few years. While I originally chose the D3 Everyday Set to round out my existing collection, the five-piece configuration also works well as a starter set, covering the essentials needed for everyday cooking as well as more ambitious recipes.

In fact, the D3 Everyday pans have quickly become my go-to cookware. After a little trial and error, I’ve found that the extra attention stainless steel requires is a small trade-off for the durability, performance, and peace of mind the set provides.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

I test all cookware in my own home under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

To get the most out of your stainless steel cookware, I’ve rounded up six essential tools that make it easier to cook cleanly, without introducing unnecessary toxins back into your kitchen.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

Once you have made your investment, be sure to explore how to clean all types of cookware, including stainless steel, to ensure your set stays looking new for as long as possible. Reading more about the common cleaning mistakes people make with stainless steel can also help prolong the life of the D3 Everyday Set.

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It's no secret that scent is one of the most evocative senses. From light, bright, florals that lift your space in spring, and cooling mint to refresh you on humid May nights, the right fragrance can do more than just set the mood.

In fact, say our home fragrance experts, some scents can actually make your space feel cleverly cooler.

Here, they explain which specific notes to use to make your bed feel cool in summer, and exactly why they work.

It's important to note that no scent is going to actually cool down a bedroom fast and physically reduce the temperature. But, as Jennifer Pressimone, internationally recognized Clinical Aromatherapy Expert, Author, Formulator, and CEO at JennScents and Aromaversity, explains, diffusing cooling scents in the bedroom can help you to sleep better.

'The top main culprits behind sleep issues that I see with clients are stress, anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout,' she explains. 'This causes mental chatter, ruminating thoughts, frustration, and irritability, all of which are heat-triggered emotions.'

So, she advises that, in particular, peppermint and spearmint are among her favorite 'heat reducers,' along with Roman chamomile, lemon, and ylang ylang. 'Their chemical make-up helps lower the physiological and psychological thermostat, providing a cooling sensation,' she says.

'The menthol content in peppermint, for example, binds directly to certain receptors in your skin and mucous membranes, which send a signal to the brain to cool down.

'You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t go to bed mad." The premise behind this is that heat-triggered emotions can keep your sympathetic nervous system on high alert.

To give you a visual, it would be like doing cardio exercises, then trying to go to sleep immediately after. You’ve stimulated circulation so much that you need a buffer to calm your nervous system down.

'When you don’t, it causes mental chatter, anxiety, and nervousness. This is the power scent has when you smell the right ones. It moves you into a calm, cool, and collected state.'

How to Use Cooling Bedroom Scents

To use these cooling scents, Jennifer advises against using your best candles or anything with open flames, which can work to make your space feel psychologically warmer and burn off some therapeutic benefits. Instead, she says, use your best essential oil diffuser (my favorite is the NEOM Wellbeing Pod Luxe) or a room spray to get the best scent therapy benefits.

'Scent inhalation, of course, is my first choice of use,' she adds. 'It has been scientifically shown to be the best route to create the quickest physiological and psychological effect.

'When you inhale a scent, it goes instantly to your emotional and memory center, bypassing your logic region, or what I call your overthinking region. This means your body can calm down faster than you can complete a blink.'

For topical application, Jennifer also recommends combining cooling essential oils, such as peppermint essential oil, available at Walmart, with a carrier oil such as sunflower or jojoba, to further help your body reduce heat.

'For example, a combination of Roman chamomile, peppermint, and ylang ylang emulsified in sunflower oil, and applied to your wrists, the crease of your arm, and the bottoms of your feet, can calm physical heat, as well as emotional heat,' she shares.

What to Shop

If you're interested in trying cooling scents in your own space, below I've rounded up a collection of products to shop, including essential oils to browse, and my favorite essential oil diffuser.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

Interested in more scenting inspiration? Jennifer also shared her thoughts on the best scents for boosting productivity.

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City spaces in Japan are infamously tiny, and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to hotel rooms. With minimal space, though, comes clever design − something I recently noticed on a two-week vacation to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

In particular, with no closet space to speak of in any room I stayed in, it was wall hooks that I saw time and again. Not only are these affordable and simple to add to any room, but they also add plenty of valuable storage space without taking up any floor space at all.

Now, I'm convinced that they're one of the best space-saving ways to use vertical storage.

Knowing how to maximize storage in every room comes with finding clever solutions. And, like most things, the very best space-saving ideas are the simplest − and wall hooks, such as the LANDKRABBA Rack, available at IKEA, are one of the easiest-to-add small storage-less home solutions that I spotted in every Japanese hotel room I stayed in.

In those spaces, they were paired with an array of hangers to organize clothes, without eating into the small space where every inch is essential. Usually positioned away from the bed and towards the door, they kept everything neat and accessible, without affecting the look of the room, despite their unconcealed nature.

Cathy Orr, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, shares, 'I love wall hooks. I have them in all my bedrooms and bathrooms. They create space where there previously was little or none, and take unused vertical space and make easy-to-use storage without adding any bulk to a room,' which is exactly why they work so effectively in compact Japanese hotel rooms.

'Wall hooks also reduce visual clutter,' continues Cathy, 'and keep things from piling up on chairs or countertops. With a dedicated hook, it’s easy to know where something goes.

'In addition, they reduce decision fatigue. Hooks are so much easier than opening up a drawer or folding an item. You just pop something on the hook and pick it back up when you need it again.'

There Are Many Spaces to Use Them

They're not just useful for bedroom spaces, either − there are plenty of other ways to use hooks to increase storage, all around the home. For example, you might add them to an entryway, closet, or door to serve a similar purpose to the ones I used in Japan. Or, you may find they offer valuable extra hanging storage space to organize under the sink, kitchen cabinets, or utility rooms.

'For example, I placed them in my bedrooms on the wall behind doors and in my bathrooms,' adds Cathy. 'I place them in closets, too. They add just enough extra room to hang purses, towels, backpacks, and anything that typically gets set down on the floor.'

And, as Megan Cocchiaro, Certified Professional Organizer and Founder of Organized by Meg, says, you can add hangers, just like in my Japanese hotel rooms, and specific S hooks, available at Amazon in a pack of 30, for extra hanging space for clothing and large bags.

'You can also add a hanging-style fabric shelf to turn hanging, vertical space into hanging shelves, therefore maximizing space above the floor and beneath the hanging rod,' she adds.

What to Shop

Below, I've curated a collection of gorgeous wall hooks, because you don't have to compromise on style to add more storage to your space. Opt for a fun, eye-catching design in more maximalist spaces, and something more plain yet refined for more neutral, pared-back homes.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Experts

If you live in a rental property, you can always add adhesive wall hooks or make use of Command strip hooks.

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After reviewing the Greenpan Spectra 10” pan (and its smaller 8” counterpart) for several weeks, I was pleased to have found a great and healthier replacement for my traditional non-stick pans.

Like many people, I decided to ditch my Teflon pans due to health concerns. I loved the ease of using a non-stick surface, but I didn’t want to take chances with my children’s health, so I knew I needed to make a change.

I wanted the best non-toxic cookware made without forever chemicals that would cook evenly. Plus, I was intrigued by the Spectra line’s textured diamond surface, which claims to promote even heating and enhance the pan’s non-stick properties.

Perhaps most importantly, as a working mom of four, I wanted pans that would be easy to clean and virtually maintenance-free. Spectera delivered, and I am so glad I gave the Greenpan Spectra 10” pan, available at Amazon, a try.

Product Specifications: Greenpan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pan

Design and First Impressions: Greenpan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pan

The Greenpan Spectra looks like a standard non-stick pan with a twist. The exterior is stainless steel and is a high-shine silver. The interior is coated with GreenPan’s trademark dark black Thermalon ceramic finish. However, what really sets Spectra pans apart is that the pan is etched with a stainless steel diamond design to help prevent sticking and create a surface that promotes more even cooking.

The Spectera pans also come with clear glass lids with stainless steel handles. The lids are practical because you can keep an eye on what’s cooking, but they also give the pans a high-end look that looks nice on my stove. The pans are also light and easy to move around. Because I store my pans under my stove and need to bend down to take them out or put them away, using lightweight cookware is important to me.

The pans are easy to use straight away. They are shipped in a thick cardboard box. Each pan and lid was covered with a plastic sheath for protection, but the box wasn’t stuffed with unnecessary material. Although the included instructions recommend handwashing the pans, they are dishwasher safe. I decided to run them through the dishwasher once before use to sterilize them, and they came out of the dishwasher still looking brand-new. However, in order to extend the pan’s life, I have hand-washed it since and found the pan easy to clean with soap and water.

Cooking Performance: Greenpan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pan

Overall, the GreenPan Spectera 10” pan was a joy to use with my induction stove. The pan has a good weight, and the stay-cool handle is effective. To really put it through its paces, I tested the frying pan using four everyday essentials:

• Onions: I am from Philadelphia, where fried onions are practically a religion. Using the Greenpan Spectra, my onions sizzled evenly and caramelized without sticking. They colored nicely without scorching and tasted delicious.
• Sauce: We simmer sauces to check for even heat retention, and the GreenPan Spectra Thermobond delivered. I filled the 10” pan with tomato sauce and brought it to a simmer. The sauce was fully simmering in one minute and 18 seconds, starting at the edge and quickly moving to the center. This is relatively fast, and I was pleased with the results.
• Seared Tofu: Because I am a vegetarian, I seared tofu as part of my testing. The tofu seared nicely. None of my pieces of tofu stuck to the pan, and they browned very nicely.
• Fried eggs: When I fried an egg, it slid off the pan easily without sticking. My egg friend nicely with crispy edges.

Cleaning, Storage and Maintenance: Greenpan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pan

The Spectra pans are easy to clean with warm water, soap, and a non-scratch sponge. I was concerned that food would get stuck in the etched diamond pattern, but that hasn’t been an issue. Although the pans are dishwasher safe, Greenpan recommends handwashing them to prolong the life of the Thermalon ceramic coating. This is common advice when it comes to cleaning and caring for every type of cookware.

I was initially very excited to have found dishwasher-safe non-stick pans, but was let down to learn that using the dishwasher would most likely wear down the pans’ non-stick coating prematurely.

The 8” and 10” pans are both standard sizes for cookware and are easy to store in my kitchen cabinet. As with any pans, however, to protect the lining, I suggest avoiding stacking or using trivets or pan protectors between the pans to avoid damage.

How Does the GreenPan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pans Rate Online?

Some reviewers note that they like that the pan feels hefty and well-made without being too heavy. Others praise the pan’s even heat distribution, exemplary non-stick qualities, and ease of cleaning.

'Fantastic, the best pan I've ever owned. Been using it daily for months,' shared Amazon shopper, Michael Anetsberger. 'I've had it for six months or so, and it still maintains extremely good non-stick. I clean it with gentle soap and warm water, I don't over-scrub it to clean it, and I use minimal olive oil or butter to cook with it. Nothing ever sticks to it for long because I'll just move the pan around, and it'll free itself and continue to sear perfectly. It cooks very evenly. I have had no denting, staining, or any weird issues with it at all.

'I will likely never buy another brand again. GreenPan is the OG ceramic nonstick for a reason; they do it better than anyone else.'

That being said, some reviewers report issues with the pan’s durability. Specifically, some reviews state that the pan’s non-stick properties disappeared after a few months, and a few note that a gray residue comes off the pan after washing. This is not something I experienced in my testing, however.

My Verdict: Should You Buy The GreenPan Spectra Thermobond Frying Pans?

I really enjoy cooking with the Greenpan Spectra 10” pan. It looks great on my stove and helps me cook faster and better. Although I was initially disappointed that it’s not truly dishwasher safe, the pan cleans very easily, so it hasn’t been as big a pain as I was expecting.

All in all, I would certainly recommend them. Overall, the Greenpan Spectra is a good choice at a reasonable price point for a premium non-stick pan. It costs less than some of its competitors, and the pan’s unique diamond etching helps me cook better, with less sticking and better searing.

The 10” pan in particular is a good choice for those with limited storage space. People with large families like mine might consider getting the GreenPan Spectera 10-piece set that comes with a variety of pots and pans in different sizes. Although I only tested the frying pan for this review, I received the entire 10-piece set and have used (and loved) every pot and pan in the set.

How We Test Cookware at Homes & Gardens

The best cookware has to tick all the boxes: Versatility, manageable weight, safe materials, brilliant cooking performance, and, crucially, ease of cleaning.

You can read more details about how we test cookware at Homes & Gardens, including how long we vet each piece for and specifically which recipes we trial.

I test all cookware in my own home under real-world conditions – usually mid-week meals cooked after work, putting the pans through regular use over a range of recipes to get a good understanding of how these pans perform and fit into the everyday, hard-working home.

What Else to Shop

I have curated six essential accessories to help you make the most of your new non-stick, non-toxic cookware, to make everything from cooking to cleaning to storage simpler.

All prices were correct at the time of publishing.

If you still aren’t sure whether non-stick pans are right for you, read more about them first. We have also delved into cookware labels and myths with toxicologists to help you make healthier cookware choices.

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After weeks spent reviewing the Beosound Premiere, a $4,700 Bang & Olufsen offering, I can confirm that if you're after the best possible sound from a single bar, this is the one to choose. It also makes for a real audio statement for your home.

Testing it against our standardised list of films, TV scenes, and songs, the question isn't whether it sounds good. It's whether it sounds almost $5,000 good.

Here's how it stacked up against the best soundbars on the market.

My One-Minute Verdict

The Beosound Premiere is one of the most sonically standout soundbars I've ever tested, which is somewhat of a relief given its high price.

It has a 7.1.4 channel configuration, which means it has seven main speakers, one subwoofer channel, and four up-firing speakers. This bounces sound off your ceiling in a way that creates genuine height and makes whatever you're listening to feel truly surround and immersive.

Dialogue is crisp, action scenes have weight, and music sounds full and spatially rich in a way that few single soundbars can match. This is undoubtedly because of B&O's Wide Stage technology that uses beam-forming to create the illusion of speakers beyond the bar itself.

Physical setup is simple – it's essentially plug-and-play via HDMI eARC – even if the boxes are surprisingly heavy and awkward. Sadly, the digital experience didn't match. The B&O app looks the part but ultimately feels clunky, especially when switching between inputs. There's also no remote control in the box.

The assumption is that you'll just use the app as the control, but when the app falls short, the whole experience falls short, and at this price, it's disappointing. There is, however, a separate Beoremote One that you can add to your setup for $400.

Elsewhere, the design is most definitely an acquired taste. Up close, the natural aluminium and workmanship are beautiful and bold, but from afar, it borders on imposing and industrial. It's also oversized. For some people, this will be exactly what they want and expect from a statement piece, for others (me included), it's too much.

Room-filling sound won't come from a small and subtle speaker, but if you want something slightly less expensive with similarly impressive performance, the $1,099 Sonos Arc Ultra, which delivers exceptional surround sound at a lower price point, and the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, which offers hyper-realistic surround sound and a similarly sleek design for around $899.

Beosound Premiere: Specifications

Beosound Premiere: Setup

There is nothing small or subtle about the Beosound Premiere. Not only is the box so heavy I couldn't lift it on my own – something to bear in mind if you live in an upstairs apartment or similar – but its length makes it awkward to open and navigate. The wooden cover we were sent with our review sample came in a box of its own, too, to add to the packaging and bulk.

Once you get inside, however, unboxing is both easy and luxurious. There's no plastic anywhere, making it a sustainable design choice. Everything is sleek, considered, and presented in soft material bags in a way that feels entirely in keeping with the high price tag. Inside you'll find the soundbar, an HDMI cable, a LAN cable, a mains cable, and a polishing cloth.

I didn't have space to mount the soundbar below my TV, which experts claim is the best soundbar placement, but everything I would have needed for mounting is also in the box, including the brackets, a drilling template, and a hex screwdriver. Just bear in mind that the soundbar weighs 18.7lbs (8.5kg), so it's unlikely to be a one-person job. You'll also need to make sure your wall can take this weight.

The Beosound Premiere connects to your TV via HDMI eARC, which is the enhanced version of the standard Audio Return Channel. It also means it can handle high-quality audio formats like Dolby Atmos.

Once connected, sound started coming through almost immediately. Having had many soundbars, particularly from Samsung, in the past, which required some fiddly selecting of sources and so on, the ease with which the Premiere was installed was a highlight.

The B&O app then guides you through what's called a Room Compensation calibration. As part of this, the soundbar emits a series of tones to analyse the acoustics of your space and optimise the sound accordingly. This only took a few minutes and led to truly immersive sound.

The one thing missing from the box is a remote control. B&O assumes most users will control everything through the app or the touch strip along the top of the bar. This works well enough (albeit far from brilliantly) day-to-day, but for almost $5,000, the absence feels like an oversight.

You can buy B&O's Beoremote One separately, but it'll cost you an additional $450 (£400) on top of what you've already paid.

In total, setup took no longer than 10 minutes and most of that was the calibration stage.

Beosound Premiere: Design and Features

I've tested dozens of soundbars in my time, and the Beosound Premiere is one of the most striking I've ever had in my living room. Made from pure aluminium and said to have been precision-formed at B&O's Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark, it's definitely not designed to blend in.

The natural aluminium finish has a matte satin quality that catches light without being distracting. It's available in Gold Tone and Black Anthracite; I tested the latter, which blended perfectly against my integrated TV stand. Each finish can be paired with an optional oak or grey fabric speaker cover (sold separately), meaning there's scope to match it to your interior rather than working around it. More on that below.

The design and shape are bold at best; industrial at worst. At 36.7in wide and 6.7in tall, it's substantial and will obscure the bottom portion of most TV screens if placed on the same shelf.

The centrally-mounted up-firing driver sits behind an aluminium grille, and LEDs glow softly inside the bar as you adjust the volume or other settings. It's a nice touch, but if you prefer a cleaner look, you can buy an optional oak or fabric grille for anadditional $1,200 and $325, respectively. Alternatively, if you want the sound quality but not this design at all, there are several ways you can hide your soundbar.

Inside, 10 custom speaker drivers are arranged across seven internal channels: Left, centre, and right front-firing drivers, left and right side-firing drivers, and left and right up-firing drivers – all powered by 580 watts of Class D amplification.

That's a serious amount of hardware packed into a single bar, which explains why it's so large. It also explains why, when paired with B&O's proprietary Wide Stage beam-forming technology, the sound is so much wider and taller than you'd expect. This setup creates the impression of multiple speakers and offers one of the most immersive consumer surround sound formats I've seen.

Control is handled primarily through the B&O app, which comes with five pre-defined sound modes, fully customisable EQ settings, and a Room Compensation feature that analyses your space and adjusts the sound to suit. On face value, this app looks clean and well-designed, but the problem is using it day-to-day.

Switching between your TV audio and a streaming source like TIDAL or Spotify requires more steps than it should, and some controls are buried in locations that aren't obvious until you've spent time hunting for them.

For a soundbar you're operating primarily through an app, that friction adds up. It doesn't matter how good the tools are if you can't find them.

If you want to avoid the app or reduce how much you use it, a touch strip along the top of the bar handles volume, playback, and input switching in a much more intuitive way, and is enough control for daily use. It's also worth noting that there's no support for smart home assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant built in, which feels like an oversight for such an expensive appliance and would have been another welcome alternative to the app.

If your living room ideas lean toward the minimal or traditional, this bar makes a strong statement that not everyone will want. But if you're the kind of person who treats a beautiful object as a design feature in its own right – and who wants it to also deliver Dolby Atmos 7.1.4, 580 watts of amplification, and the full range of streaming services – the Premiere will look and feel outstanding.

Beosound Premiere: Sound (TV and Movies)

As soon as you start using the Beosound Premiere, you forgive a lot of design and usability flaws and can see (or more accurately, hear) where all of your money has gone.

The first thing I noticed was the directional audio. During the confrontation between Walt and Hank in Breaking Bad, I could hear exactly where each voice was positioned in the on-screen garage, and the acoustics of the space came through in a way I rarely pick up on other systems.

In fact, there's nuance to the dialogue I wasn't even aware existed, and when Hank lowered his voice, I leaned in as if I was there. There's no muddiness or compression: just two voices rendered so well it's like they're in the room with you, and this is the kind of clarity that makes you realise how much you've been missing on your TV speakers.

That clarity doesn't disappear when things get loud either. Every noise in the New York battle sequence in Avengers: Infinity War, which remains one of the busiest scenes I use for sound testing, was distinct even at its most chaotic. Even the voices. Sounds moved above and around me, so much so that they made me jump on a couple of occasions. B&O's Wide Stage beam-forming earns its keep here in a way that's immediately noticeable.

What impressed me most, though, was how consistently the Beosound Premiere held this performance across very different material. Princess Mononoke couples orchestral music with sudden bursts of action, and the bar handled the contrast well.

For the fight sequences in John Wick: Chapter 2, the bar showed off all the layers with ease. Our Planet then showcased the Premiere's ability to shift from dramatic to intimate within the same scene, and David Attenborough's narration was even more soothing than it normally is, and that's saying something.

For late-night viewing, or once my youngest was in bed in the room above our living space, B&O's Night Mode does a good job of softening bigger sounds while keeping dialogue clear. If that's something your household needs, our guide on using night mode on soundbars is worth a look before your next movie night.

My partner and I have very different opinions on what the optimal volume for our TV is. I prefer it quiet and can hear dialogue well. He prefers everything loud and struggles with voices. The biggest compliment I could give the Beosound Premiere is that throughout every single TV and movie test, we didn't disagree once. The soundbar handled both ends of the spectrum so well and consistently that we were both happy, and I've never been able to say that.

Beosound Premiere: Sound (Music)

I wasn't expecting the Beosound Premiere to be as good at music as it is at TV and movies. Single soundbars often sacrifice one for the other, but this one doesn't.

I started low, with Massive Attack's Angel. The bass sat exactly where it should without bleeding into the midrange, while the subtle use of percussion came through clearly. Daft Punk's Phoenix, which pushed the electronic end harder with kick drums, synth highs, and cymbals, sounded properly separated. None of the ranges collapsed into each other.

Sade's Feel No Pain sits in the midrange almost entirely, and voices on lesser systems can sound thin or slightly nasal when there's nothing dramatic happening around them. Here, Sade's voice came to the front and transformed the whole of my living space with warm music. Similarly, the old, low-fidelity recording of Leonard Cohen's Suzanne was equally charming and true-to-life. The bar didn't flatter it or artificially brighten it. It just played it honestly, which is harder than it sounds.

The treble tests were where I had a small reservation. Robber by The Weather Station exposed a very slight hardness at the top end. Nothing that would stop me listening, but noticeable on material that largely lives up there. Pitch the Baby by Cocteau Twins, which is almost entirely pure treble with electronically altered vocals, confirmed this. The Premiere is exceptional across the bass and midrange, and very good in the highs, but it isn't quite perfect once it gets up there.

For a soundbar that most people will use primarily for TV, the music performance here is a genuine bonus. Like with the encompassing nature of TV and movie audio, the Premiere makes music fill the room, and Adele's Set Fire to the Rain was the best example of this. If you want one system to do everything and are willing to pay for the privilege, the Premiere makes a compelling case for itself.

Next, learn how the best robot vacuums and the best video doorbells we've tested can upgrade your home security and automate chores in your home.

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If there's one thing you'll see almost everywhere in Japan, it's tatami mats. The traditional flooring solution, laid side by side and made of woven soft rush grass and compressed rice straw, is firm, breathable, and beautifully aromatic.

Those fragrant qualities also make them excellent natural deodorizers − something I've noticed since introducing them into my bedroom.

Not only are they an easy way to make your bedroom smell like a luxurious hotel suite, but they're also a tasteful way to introduce elements of biophilic design. Here's why experts recommend them to promote relaxation, support sleep, and fill your home with their natural fragrance.

Why Tatami Mats Are Ideal for Creating a Soothing Atmosphere

If you've ever perused Japanese-inspired interiors or Japandi bedroom ideas, you're likely familiar with tatami mats. But why exactly are they so good for creating that signature, serene, and soothing atmosphere?

Maiko Shimazaki, the founder of Revitalist15, a New York-based wellness brand rooted in Japanese relaxation rituals, explains, 'The top layer of tatami mats is made from woven igusa, also known as rush grass. The natural aroma of igusa contains phytoncides that help reduce stress hormones and promote relaxation.

'It shifts the body into a parasympathetic, “rest and digest” state, similar to the calming effect of forest bathing. It also helps clear the mind and helps improve focus and mental clarity.'

As a non-toxic way to make your home smell nice, igusa also helps to regulate indoor humidity owing to its naturally absorbent qualities. 'By controlling moisture, it prevents the buildup of mold and unpleasant odors,' adds Maiko, 'effectively keeping the air feeling clean and fresh.'

How Tatami Mats Support Sleep

Tatami mats aren't just an easy and design-forward way to make your home smell nice, either − they may also help you to sleep better, too. In fact, I had one of the most comfortable nights' sleep ever on a traditional Japanese futon set on them, and I find they support my sleep back home, too, where I have a bedframe which uses tatami mats to support the mattress.

'The subtle scent of igusa can help stabilize heart rate and encourage natural sleepiness, supporting deeper rest,' advises Maiko. 'Its breathable, moisture-regulating properties create a more comfortable sleep environment, while its firmness supports easier movement during sleep and reduces physical strain.

'For optimal back support, it’s best paired with a moderately thick, supportive mattress or futon.' For example, the 4" Thick Japanese Floor Mattress, available at Wayfair, is a good option.

What to Shop

If you'd like to introduce tatami mats into your own sleep space, I've rounded up a selection below, all of which are available for direct shipping straight to the US. You don't have to go the full way, either − small tatami details can bring that same sense of biophilic calm to your space, without the commitment.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the Expert

If you're interested in learning more from Maiko, her Japanese sleep secrets are guaranteed to inspire better rest.

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You no longer need to install an expensive security system or be a technological expert to feel secure at home. In fact, you can improve your home's security in myriad ways, whether through landscaping, porch etiquette, or basic, easy-to-install devices.

Burglaries, shed thefts, and unattended homes during vacations are all too common security concerns. So, to alleviate your worries and give yourself peace of mind while out of the house, we've put together the ultimate guide to securing your home like a pro.

Covering everything from the best video doorbells to whole-home systems, we spoke to seasoned home security professionals for the most up-to-date advice on keeping your home safe.

Common Home Security Concerns (And What Actually Works)

'I Want to See Who’s at My Door or Around My Property'

'A video doorbell camera is a simple solution to see who is at your door. They’re affordable and easy to install,' advises Jason Fischbeck, owner of Automated Environments.

The Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (with a monthly subscription) and the eufy E340 (without a subscription) are the two best video doorbells we've tested.

'I also highly recommend floodlights for each side of your home. These can be hard-wired or solar, with or without motion detectors, LED or standard light bulbs, and in different colors and illumination. Foliage can be cut back to avoid hiding spots,' recommends Philip Farina, founder and chief security and safety advisor for Risky Business.

Pair a video doorbell with these affordable motion sensor floodlights at Walmart, and you'll have strong visibility at your front door and around your property. Don't forget to explore our guide on the best places for security lights before installing them.

'I’m Worried About Break-ins While I Sleep or Travel'

'If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s a good idea to connect your lights to your smart home system. You can turn them on and off remotely, giving burglars the impression that somebody is home,' advises Jason. Using this technique to secure your home while you're away is deceptively simple.

You can use two smart plugs to deter intruders, connecting them to your existing lamps, and set up timers so that they turn on and off to make it seem like you're home. These $10 smart plugs from Walmart are perfect.

'Doors and locks should also be improved and updated,' adds Philip Farina, emphasizing the value in robust locks and door and window sensors.

This five-piece Ring alarm security kit will alert you when sensors are triggered, and you can find more robust locks and doors at Home Depot and Lowe's.

'My Garden, Shed or Outbuilding Feels Vulnerable'

'Sheds and outbuildings are commonly targeted and frequently overlooked. Use motion lighting, stronger locks, a gate or fence where appropriate, and if possible, a camera watching the area from the main house,' shares Ray Ansari, owner of CCTV Camera World.

To keep your shed safe from thefts, the Ring Outdoor Camera at Amazon can be positioned directly towards it, and it's weather-resistant and easy to install.

This motion sensor lighting at Walmart is another inexpensive option that will quickly make potential intruders more visible.

'I Worry About Packages Being Stolen From My Porch'

'Use a porch camera or video doorbell, but also consider a lockbox or delivery locker. Cameras help document what happened. A lockbox helps prevent theft in the first place, which is always the better outcome,' advises Ray.

The eufy E340 video doorbell has two cameras, with one pointed directly at the floor for focused package protection. Other video doorbells, such as the Arlo 2K or the Philips 7000 Series, have anti-intruder sirens that can deter opportunists, but they may not always sound in time.

For more secure protection, Architectural Mailboxes' Elephantrunk Parcel Drop Box at Amazon will give couriers a safe location to leave deliveries, which can't be accessed by any passersby.

'I Don’t Want Anything Complicated to Install or Monitor'

'Battery cameras and app-based systems are a reasonable starting point,' shares Ray Ansari.

Almost every video doorbell, from the budget-friendly Blink Video Doorbell to the more premium Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell, will have a battery-powered option available.

This means you won't need to hardwire the device to your existing doorbell system, and all you need are minimal DIY skills to install the doorbell on your front porch, requiring just a screwdriver.

Similarly, outdoor cameras such as the Ring Outdoor Cam at Amazon are easy to install, and can even stick using adhesive to avoid having to drill into your property.

'But homeowners should understand the trade-off: Easier installation usually means more dependence on batteries, Wi-Fi, cloud storage, and delayed recording. If reliability and image detail matter more, a wired system is the better long-term choice,' Ray continues.

To avoid this potential reliability concern, look for security products with local storage and solar-powered charging. eufy is our personal favorite, as their products don't typically require monthly fees to be able to store footage locally.

Home Security Solutions That Fit Your Life

Monitored vs. Self-Monitored Alarms: What's the Difference?

'A monitored alarm contacts a response centre when triggered, helpful if you travel often, sleep through phone alerts, or want a backup,' explains Ray.

'A self-monitored system is cheaper and can work well, but it depends entirely on you seeing the alert and reacting,' Ray continues.

For both solutions, cameras are useful to know whether a false alarm has been triggered. Being able to see the footage will help to distinguish between an animal triggering a sensor to a potential intruder on your property.

'Cameras make either option significantly better because they let you verify what's actually happening instead of guessing. I've personally had false alarms trigger between 1am and 3am at my own properties. Because I had cameras covering the inside and outside, I could check instantly and confirm nothing was happening, avoiding unnecessary police call-outs and potential false alarm fines,' Ray explains.

This Blink three-camera system at Amazon is an inexpensive option, with day and night vision and a two-year battery life.

Monitored alarm systems often come with installation included, so if you're unsure about how to install home security systems by yourself, this can be useful.

Smart Locks: Who Are They For?

Smart locks grant you remote access to your door, typically through a smartphone app by connecting to your Wi-Fi. They also offer alternative methods of access, such as keypad, fingerprint, and palm vein unlocking.

'Smart locks are best for families, rental properties, caregivers, dog walkers, and anyone who needs to manage access without handing out physical keys,' Ray explains.

It's simple: If you pair a smart lock with a video doorbell, you can have eyes on your front door while you're out, and speak with any visitors. Then, if it's someone you recognize – say, a family member or your dog sitter – you can grant them access.

It's best to choose a smart lock and video doorbell from the same brand, so you can manage both from one app, such as the eufy E340 video doorbell and the eufy FamiLock E34.

Outdoor vs. Indoor Cameras: What You Actually Need

'Outdoor cameras are for deterrence, early warning, alarm verification, and evidence. They belong near driveways, front doors, side gates, rear entrances, garages, and detached buildings, anywhere you want to know what's happening before someone reaches the house,' Ray explains.

'Indoor cameras are more personal, but very useful for verifying alarm events, watching pets, or confirming a motion sensor was triggered by a real person and not a false alarm,' he continues.

There are many affordable indoor cameras at Amazon starting from as little as $20, and the Blink Mini 2K+ is a well-reviewed, small, and easy-to-use option that will give you a closer eye on your home while you're out.

Indoor cameras are best used as confirmation before alerting the authorities. If your alarm has sounded, or your door or window sensors have been triggered, indoor cameras allow you to check whether it was a false alarm or not.

Contrastingly, outdoor cameras offer active deterrence and home security by signalling to potential opportunists that your home is well-guarded, and that there will be evidence of any break-ins after-the-fact.

Do You Need a Subscription?

Depending on the product, subscriptions tend to unlock cloud-based storage and extended video history. Many home security brands such as Ring, Blink and Arlo put these features behind a paywall, so when you purchase one of their video doorbells or cameras, you'll need to pay a monthly fee to be able to store event clips.

Other subscription-based services include monitored alarm systems (as I explained in more detail above), where an external provider will oversee your home's security and alert the authorities if needed.

Subscription packages can be some of the best home security solutions for beginners, as much of the admin is taken care of on your behalf.

However, the recurring cost – ranging from $5 to $25+ a month – can easily be avoided by choosing a wired installation, or opting for local storage.

The eufy S330 video doorbell, for example, comes with a hub that stores event history locally, meaning no cloud-based subscription is required. The initial cost is a little higher, but you're avoiding the monthly fees required to view event history.

But really, a wired setup is best, as Ray Ansari explains, 'For anyone serious about protecting their home, I usually recommend a quality wired camera system with local recording. It costs more upfront but gives better reliability, higher resolution, and no ongoing cloud subscription required.'

Should You Get a Dog?

It might not always be practical for anyone who works long hours out of town or has allergies, but where dogs make up part of a household, intruders are far less likely to break in. Not only will a loudly barking pooch alert the occupants or neighbors to a problem, but most intruders also won't want to risk coming face-to-face with a potentially vicious and protective animal.

'Get a dog!' agrees self-defense, personal safety, and violence prevention expert Julie Waite of Streetwise Defence. 'A well-trained dog is a great alarm and defense system. When ex-intruders were surveyed, a barking dog was one of the top things that would deter them from entering a property.'

Windows and Doors: Do They Need Upgrading?

Assess your windows and doors, as these are weak points when it comes to a property. Look out for signs your wooden windows need replacing and put any areas of damage right. You should also check that they all have working, modern locks.

'Get a peephole, chain, and caged mailbox on the door or an external mailbox,' advises Julie Waite. 'A simple but effective tip that is often overlooked is to install horizontal blinds to all windows and keep them down (but not closed). This makes it hard for intruders scoping out your home to see into your property and, if they do break in, the blinds make a lot of noise and make it difficult to get in quietly – especially if you have some plants and ornaments on your windowsills that could get knocked off.'

A noisy entrance into your home might well cause intruders to abandon their plan for fear of being caught.

Design & Discretion: Security That Doesn’t Ruin Your Curb Appeal

Robust home security doesn't have to make your home look like a fortress; many options can seamlessly blend in with your home's aesthetic and style.

'For a more subtle look, choose low-profile turret or dome cameras, ideal for fitting under the eaves,' Ray recommends, such as the subtle Blink Outdoor 4 at Amazon, or the sleek Google Nest Cam Outdoor at Walmart.

Stylish security cameras are out there, and choosing the right design depends on your home's exterior. Modern homes would benefit from a glossy, polished device such as the eufy E340 video doorbell, while more colorful homes would blend well with the brighter Arlo 2K.

But remember: Securing your home without sacrificing style can include much more than introducing new devices.

'Reinforced doors, locked gates, and trimmed landscaping' can improve your home security without a system, Ray Ansari explains, particularly as overgrown shrubbery can give intruders a place to hide.

The plants and materials you choose to finish off your driveway and your back and front yard landscaping ideas play an important role in securing your home.

'When strategically placed, trees and shrubs can act as a natural security barrier to your home and provide privacy,' explains Jeff Ketelaars, co-founder at Security Guards Only. 'You can even opt to get defensive plants that naturally have spikes and thorny exteriors to deter anyone from coming on the property.'

Barberry, hawthorn, holly, and scotch briar are aesthetically pleasing choices, with spikes or thorns that act as active deterrents.

Julie Waite continues, 'To the exterior of your property review your boundaries and gates – have you got high fencing, can you use anti-climb spikes? Check if these are legal in your area and put up a sign advising that they are there,' advises Julie Waite.

You can also use gravel on pathways around your property, as the small gravel pieces compacting against each other underfoot will undoubtedly alert you to anyone crossing your garden or approaching your home.

Budgeting & Getting Started

As there are so many security solutions available, investing in your home security can cost as much as you're prepared to spend. Whether you want to keep it below $150, or spend more than $1,000 on a comprehensive, whole-property system, there are ways to secure your home for every budget.

At the most affordable, a budget-friendly video doorbell is the best place to start. The Blink Video Doorbell at Amazon costs just $59.99, or the Arlo 2K Video Doorbell costs $49.99 – but both devices require a monthly subscription to capture event history.

Or, the eufy E340 or the Philips 7000 Series Video Doorbell cost more than $140, but you won't need to pay monthly fees.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of what you can get at different price bands:

Entry Level: Up to $300

'A video doorbell, motion lights, and a few sensors covers the basics for renters or first-time homeowners,' Ray Ansari explains.

Mid Range: $300 to $800

If you spend more, you can build a comprehensive security system around your home, combining outdoor cameras, alarms and sensors to have accurate, timely alerts when needed.

Advanced: $800 to $1,500+

If you pay more upfront, you can get a professionally-installed, hardwired security system that will eliminate the need for any monthly fees, battery charging, or missed alerts. ADT, Vivint, and SimpliSafe are a few of the highest-rated nationwide options, but it's worth checking for local installers, too, as they may offer better rates and more personalized security solutions.

Ray Ansari explains that this package could include, 'Multiple high-resolution cameras, a local recorder, full cable runs, and professional installation. More upfront, but better reliability, image quality, and no subscription dependency long-term.'

Maintenance & Peace of Mind

Whether you have invested in home security, or you're still in the decision process, it's useful to brush up on a few simple routines to keep your precious home secure.

You can use two smart plugs to deter intruders by making it seem like you're home. Connect them to your existing lamps, and you can set up a routine so that the lights turn on in different rooms in the evening, creating the illusion that someone is moving throughout the house.

Knowing how to secure your home for the holidays includes keeping your yard tidy, making sure no valuables are on display, and making sure your alarm system is poised to prioritise early detection.

If you don't own your home, there are many renter-safe home security options such as adhesive video doorbells and camera mounts, indoor security cameras, and making sure no packages are left on your porch for too long, as they can essentially advertise what's inside your home.

And don't forget the importance of protecting your home from cyber hackers, too. By strengthening passwords, turning off certain features, and updating your devices, you can protect your smart home ecosystem. If your devices are interconnected, it only takes one appliance to be hacked for the rest to be at risk.

For more smart home upgrades, learn how the best robot vacuums from our rigorous testing sessions can save you time at home.

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Whether you have a dedicated mop and broom storage space or a little corner that houses these and other long-handled cleaning tools, you’ve probably felt the irritation that these clatter-prone items bring when they just won’t stay put.

I have allocated a dedicated storage area for almost everything, but mops and cleaning brushes are the rogue items that get tucked next to the fridge, end up behind the door, or lean against something, but always fall over or end up underfoot.

I’ve recently picked up these no-drill wall-mounted broom holders from Amazon, and they’re perfect for organizing the kitchen or a utility room with minimal DIY skills or time.

The rust-resistant stainless steel wall mount can help square away your mops, long-armed cleaning tools, microfiber dusters, and more. It also has four handy hooks in between each pincer, which is perfect for drying cleaning rags, storing spare bags, or aprons.

This nifty little addition not only keeps your items from cluttering up space in and around your kitchen, utility room, and pantry, but also creates a simple organizing system that allows everyone in the household to keep the space tidy, moving forward.

Having spoken to hundreds of cleaning experts and professional organizers, a lack of a system that everyone can easily keep up with is the home organizing mistake that leads to never-ending clutter around the house.

Giving your cleaning tools permanent housing that is convenient to use and stays firmly on the wall will create a floor care and chore station that will serve your household for years to come.

The downside with mounted adhesive hooks is that if you use them too soon, before the adhesive has cured to the wall, gravity will more often than not win, and then that sticky surface will not typically restick a second time.

My advice, if using the adhesive option on the Voze mounts from Amazon, is that regardless of what the instructions say, install them, press firmly to remove any air bubbles, then leave them for 24-48 hours before loading.

Leaving it to properly stick to the surface will allow the firmest and longest-lasting bond. I have tried and tested this method myself, and have adhesive caddies in my shower that have stayed up for more than five years, wall hooks to expand storage in my busy coat closet that are fully loaded with heavy items and never budge, and pot lid holders inside a kitchen cabinet that have stayed put for a year.

This technique is the best way to ensure it stays on the wall and doesn’t pull off immediately upon use.

What Shoppers Say

Rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon by nearly 2000 shoppers, this item comes highly recommended by those who have purchased it. It’s also marked as Amazon’s Choice, which is a label that only Amazon can award, and digital shops on the marketplace cannot pay to use. It indicates the item is highly rated, rarely returned, and usually in stock.

Customer photos from verified shoppers show them in use all over the home and on various surfaces, including tiles and plaster.

A recent verified shopper, Bree, gave it the full five marks for being ‘super strong and great for organizing.’ They explain, ‘This mop and broom holder works amazingly well! The adhesive is very strong and holds all my cleaning tools securely without slipping. I love that it comes with 5 racks and 4 hooks – it gives plenty of space to organize mops, brooms, dusters, and even small items like brushes.

'Installation was quick and effortless, and it instantly made my laundry room look cleaner and more organized. The quality feels solid and durable, and everything stays in place. Highly recommend for anyone needing extra storage or wanting to tidy up their cleaning supplies!’

It can also hold more than your standard lightweight mop. Shopper A.M.Whittemore says, ‘The metal rack is very sturdy, strong enough to hold large brooms and mops. We installed it with the screws provided. Love the hooks to hold small items. I would definitely recommend this item and would buy it again.’

What to Shop

Keeping on top of your home’s housekeeping schedule requires the right tools, adequate storage, and some clever organizers to keep essentials accessible without excess clutter.

I have curated some useful items to help.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Upgrading to one of the best robot vacuums or a vacuum-mop could mean you say goodbye to mops altogether and either automate this endless chore, or combine it with vacuuming to half the time you spend sanitizing your floors.

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Tucked behind closed doors, pantry storage is often an afterthought – reduced to hyper-practical, easy-clean plastic containers, or the crumpled packaging that products arrived in.

Not only is this one of the least attractive ways to organize a pantry, but it also introduces a surprising amount of unnecessary plastic into your cooking space. Even if it isn’t exposed to heat, it can still contribute to visual clutter and make a kitchen look less considered.

The IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes offer a simple, affordable upgrade, swapping bulky BPA-plastic containers for natural bamboo for a calmer, more holistic look.

Bamboo has quickly become one of the most sought-after materials for kitchen organization. Durable, renewable, and naturally warm in tone, it offers a simple way to elevate a space, bringing texture and warmth to the palette that plastic containers rarely achieve.

The stackable IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes, available in light and dark wood (the latter in limited numbers), come in two sizes that suit everything from root vegetables to smaller food packets. The opaque sides can also prevent premature spoilage, blocking UV to extend the life of your fresh produce.

While plastic storage containers are unlikely to contaminate food when kept at room temperature, they can crack or chip when knocked around in a busy kitchen. Bamboo offers a more durable and far more considered alternative, creating a pantry that looks cleaner, calmer, and thoughtfully organized.

Though made from wood, the boxes are designed specifically for kitchens and bathrooms. The boxes are treated to be moisture-resistant, helping protect against mold and mildew and making them just as practical as durable plastic alternatives.

For those who prefer modular storage, the IKEA UPPDATERA Bamboo Storage Boxes can also be paired with IKEA UPPDATERA Drawer Organizers, allowing you to maximize storage in a compact kitchen without a sprawling footprint.

What Else to Shop

Natural materials inherently feel more elevated, making storage solutions like bamboo boxes a chic yet affordable way to make your kitchen look more expensive.

To help you upgrade, I’ve selected six options designed to improve your storage while creating a non-toxic home.

With your storage taken care of, consider upgrading to the best non-toxic cookware for a healthier cooking routine.

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If stepping onto your rug often feels like a ride on a magic carpet, then it’s time to easily and quickly secure it to the floor without damage or fuss.

I have a mix of carpeted and hard floors and love adding a cozy rug to easily change up the look of my rooms and add texture to the space. However, that annoying slippage underfoot is not just a nuisance; it’s a hazard, as I have a condition that means my joints dislocate at the tiniest slip.

That’s why I always use the Gorilla Strip Rug Gripper, available at Amazon for fast delivery. Simply lay it under your rug and trim to size. It’s non-sticky, but beautifully grippy. It also makes it easier to clean with your best vacuum's high suction, and not have your floor coverings sliding around mid-clean.

I have been using these since I moved into my first home in 2012. They last for years and have survived three house moves and countless rug swaps in my home, which I share with my husband, young daughter, and pets.

Having the rugs underfoot is a big bonus for us to avoid falls and injuries, and because we have to vacuum our home daily to keep it clean with pets, we need floor coverings to stay firmly put.

Even with the most powerful vacuum, my trusted Miele C3, which we have reviewed and love, the grippers do not budge.

To install, simply clean the floor and make sure it is free of dust and debris. Arrange it in the position you need and lay your rug on top. I trim any extra that is sticking out in view with a pair of sharp everyday scissors, available at Walmart.

I use the offcuts under the slippery doormat I have in the kitchen. And the best thing is, when you no longer need it, or change your living room layout, simply peel it off the floor – there is no adhesive to leave a mark behind – and reposition it elsewhere for more years of use.

What Shoppers Say

More than 50,000 Amazon shoppers have purchased and reviewed this affordable item on site, garnering an average rating of 4.4 stars out of 5.

Marquette D Evans recently added her thoughts, giving the 'great product' the full star rating. She explains, ‘I have never been disappointed by anything from Gorilla, and these pads are no exception. Easily trimmed to fit with scissors.

'Provides a nice light padding without raising the level of the rugs so that doors don't drag. Keeps rugs in place very well. Bought them for three runners, and they work so well that I got a small one for the rug at our entry door. Finally, the price is very reasonable. Great purchase.’

Another five-star write-up comes from Angela Robinson, who says, ‘This works well under a small wool rug that had been sliding all over my bedroom. It keeps the rug in place. I end up straightening the rug about once a week as the rug shifts a bit off the gripper (though the gripper stays in one place on the floor). So far, no marks on the floor or rug, but we've only had it about a month.’

I have found that sort of shifting happens minimally when the gripper is in place on top of a carpet, and not at all on top of hard floors.

Other shoppers are using it around the home, including keeping chef mats in place in the kitchen, memory foam bath mats that have lost their grip after washing, and to aid elderly pets that were slipping on rugs that moved underpaw.

Many note how useful it is to be able to trim it with scissors to fit exactly. The Gorilla Grip Strong Pad Grippers from Amazon are available in rectangular and round versions with multiple sizing options to keep manual trimming to a minimum.

What to Shop

Keeping your floors clean during the busy spring and summer seasons is no mean feat. Here is a selection of the best products and tools to keep yours fresh with minimal daily effort.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

To refresh rugs without harsh chemicals, we tried a baking soda and essential oil mix and were impressed with the results.

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As I've found out, if you suffer from seasonal allergies, an air purifier is an absolute essential for the spring and summer months.

But, HVAC experts advise, the placement of your purifier is far more important than you may think, and the height at which you place it can make a drastic difference in its performance.

Here's everything you need to know about the best place to put an air purifier throughout the sunnier seasons.

Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General, shares, 'As a general rule of thumb, you should place the air purifier five or six feet above the floor to ensure the correct airflow all around the purifier for optimum performance. Putting it on the floor would restrict the airflow and reduce performance.'

In my bedroom, where I use my best air purifier most often − the IKEA UPPÅTVIND Air Purifier − I place it on a chair at night, away from the walls. Now, I know that placing it on an even higher shelf will allow it to work even better.

Jordan Benjamin, owner and president of Done Rite Services, agrees. 'Dust, allergens, and other contaminants tend to circulate most around head level, so placing your air purifier around five to six feet above the floor allows it to pull air from an active air region and do its job in the most efficient way possible,' he advises. 'If you place an air purifier on the floor, you’re forcing the unit to deal with restricted air flow due to furniture, carpets, et cetera.'

As for where you should place an air purifier in a bedroom, in a kitchen, or anywhere else, Ian adds that there isn't a 'one size fits all' answer.

'But,' he emphasizes, 'they should be in an area with no obstructions and no sufficient flow of air, as well as always at least six inches away from any furniture or walls.'

And, Jordan adds, while many people use their air purifier around areas that tend to produce strong odors, like in or near a kitchen, bathroom, or cat litter box, it's important to remember that air purifiers are designed to do more than simply reduce odor.

'Their main purpose is to clean the air and improve indoor air quality, so don’t limit their placement to smelly areas,' he says. 'Whatever room you spend a lot of time in is a great candidate for an air purifier.'

What to Shop

Below, you can shop from a selection of our tried, tested, and recommended air purifiers for use all around the home.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.