Your home explained

  • Can you move a drain in the UK? A homeowner’s guide

    If you’re planning a house extension, one of the first problems you might discover is a drain or inspection chamber sitting exactly where your new foundations need to go in which case you’ll likley be wondering whether you can move a drain? As we discovered, the good news is that most drains can be moved.…

  • How exterior shade cloth can keep your house cooler in summer (without making it dark)

    If you have large bifold doors or floor-to-ceiling windows, you’ll know just how quickly they can turn your home into a greenhouse on a sunny day. While all that natural light is wonderful, it also allows huge amounts of solar heat to enter your home. Before long, the room becomes uncomfortable, even if you’ve closed…

  • How to actually keep a loft bedroom cool (without blasting AC)

    If you live in a UK home with a loft conversion, you already know the summer routine. While the downstairs kitchen might feel quite pleasant, stepping up into the loft bedroom feels like walking directly into a greenhouse. In our previous post on using a thermometer and hygrometer around the home, we talked about how…

  • Why a Hygrometer and Thermometer might be the most useful home monitoring tool you’re not using

    When it comes to making your home more comfortable, most people focus on heating, insulation, fans, or dehumidifiers. But before you can improve your home’s environment, it helps to understand what’s actually happening in each room. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a commission if you buy…

  • 10 Natural ways to keep flies and insects away from your home

    When insects find their way into our homes and gardens, they can quickly become a nuisance. Flies buzzing around the kitchen, mosquitoes interrupting evenings outdoors, and ants appearing where they’re least wanted can be frustrating. However, before we declare war on all insects, it’s worth remembering that many of them play a vital role in…

  • Too hot to sleep? 7 Science-backed hacks to cool down fast tonight

    There are few things quite as frustrating as lying awake at 2 AM when you’re too hot to sleep, tossing and turning in a pool of sweat because your bedroom feels like a sauna. When a heatwave hits, getting a good night’s rest can feel completely impossible. Fortunately, you don’t need a massive air conditioning…

  • 15 of the best gadgets to keep you cool in the heat

    As summer temperatures continue to break records, more people are understandably looking for effective gadgets to keep you cool in the heat. While fans and air conditioners remain popular, a new generation of cooling gadgets is making it easier than ever to beat the heat. From wearable air-conditioning shirts and smart cooling neckbands to portable…

  • How to remove soap scum from shower glass

    Soap scum is one of the most common causes of cloudy shower screens and glass doors so most people want to know how to remove soap scum from shower glass. It forms when soap combines with minerals found in hard water, leaving behind a stubborn white film that can make even a clean bathroom look…

  • How to remove hard water spots from shower glass

    (The easy, fail-proof method) Live in a hard water area? It can seem impossible to remove hard water spots from shower glass doors. You clean the shower, remove the soap scum, and yet those stubborn water marks remain. The good news is that hard water spots can be removed without expensive specialist products or harsh…

  • Stop overpaying on energy bills

    10 free ways to cut UK energy costs by up to 25% (2026 Guide) How to cut your energy bills in the UK (no investment required) Energy prices in the UK remain high in 2026, with the average household bill estimated at around £1,645 per year. However, many households are unknowingly wasting hundreds of pounds…