I Used To Be A Cleaner ― This 1 Vacuuming Mistake Is Ruining Your Sleep

As a former cleaner, I notice the little details (like polished taps and doorknobs, or truly streak-free windows) that show an expert level of cleaning.

You don’t have to be a cleaner to meet those standards; I’ve even had clients whose homes were pro-looking spick and span before I turned up.

Even in those houses, however, an important part of the bedroom was almost always ignored.

Freddie Garnham, Lighting Design Engineer at Dyson, shared that “unseen dust mites, allergens and dust contribute to an unhygienic environment” in our sleeping space in one neglected area in particular.

Which is?

People, you are meant to vacuum your mattress.

It makes sense when you think about it ― you may already vacuum your sofa, but for some reason, mattresses always seem to evade deep cleans.

That’s not a great idea, Garnham says.

“Regularly vacuuming your mattress will ensure a cleaner and more hygienic sleeping environment and a sleep undisturbed by allergies,” he said.

“While the frequency will depend on the mattress itself, it is recommended to be cleaned every six months with bedding changed once a week to keep dust and allergens at bay.”

He’s not alone. Speaking to Ideal Homes, Jane Wilson, manager of Fantastic Cleaners, said: “Regular vacuuming of your mattress can help remove allergens, dust mites, and dirt, contributing to a cleaner and more hygienic sleeping environment.”

She added,“It’s generally safe and beneficial for most types of mattresses. This includes mattresses with materials such as foam, latex, innerspring, hybrid, and memory foam.”

How should I vacuum my mattress?

The good news is that you don’t need a specially designed tool for the task: a plain old Henry or other vacuum will do.

Mattress Online says you should get the nozzle on the bed part and begin “using small circular motions over the entire mattress to make sure you lift all of the dust, dirt, hair and dead skin.

“If you have one, you can also use an upholstery attachment to make vacuuming a little easier, but it’s not essential.”

Once you’ve tried it, we can almost guarantee you’ll never go back.

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Sorry To Interrupt, But I Think I Just Found The Prettiest Candles In The UK

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

As autumn creeps in, I’ve been enjoying a lot more “Tavern food”-style evenings in. And in an attempt to romanticise my at-home dinners, I’ve had my eye out for some really, really pretty dinner candles.

Turns out I didn’t need to look further than my own city, though.

Pygmalion London’s hand-poured candles, which are made using vegetable wax, natural dyes and 100% cotton wicks, were first made on Rosanna Philpott’s kitchen table in 2021.

Three years later, the brand (and its offerings) have expanded ― and much as I hate to give up my best-kept decor secret, I reckon you deserve to see what’s on the table (teehee) here.

The candles, which stand at 29cm tall, burn for roughly 10 hours.

And while it seems like a cardinal sin to light, say, this pair of black and white Twiglet candles, even their stumps are gorgeous.

That’s because the waves on candles like the Twiglet and Botanist designs (pictured below) go all the way through the candle, so you won’t lose that gorgeous finish after the first (or second, or eighth) burn.

Whereas some other brands simply paint their candles’ designs onto their surfaces, Pygmalion’s candlemakers create their works of art by hand-pouring naturally dyed vegetable waxes into a candle shape.

That means you won’t be catfished by, say, the stripes in this pair of Humbug candles ― they’ll look as good during your first course as they do hours into your post-dinner DMCs.

Even the more intricate designs of these Terracotta candles should be able to withstand the heat (literally and figuratively).

Like all Pygmalion candles, they come packaged in creamy recycled Italian paper.

Pygmalion London

Speaking of that packaging ― it’s so luxe-looking I’ve considered sending a box to a friend in lieu of flowers before.

You can get pairs like this Highbury set sent to their home, maybe even with a text about grabbing dinner together soon (far better than a wilting carnation, if you ask us).

So if you’re after a present that looks like you found it in a gorgeous, out-of-the-way boutique or just want to be the “I found that brand first!” person in your friend group, I recommend browsing through Pygmalion’s stock.

We’ll never tell…

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Cat Trees Are Actually Really Important For Cats’ Well-Being, According To A Behaviourist

If you share a home with a cat, you’ve probably noticed: Cats tend to seek out heights. What cat owner among us hasn’t caught their pet leaping onto counters or soaring onto shelves so high up that we can’t reach them without a ladder or stepping stool?

This love of high spaces is part of cats’ natural instincts, according to Stephanie Merlin, a certified feline behaviorist and cat well-being educator who runs the popular Instagram account @thefulfilledfeline.

“Cats are both predator and prey, so having a high vantage point is a natural way to help them feel safe and secure,” Merlin wrote. “This isn’t just about fun and games; it’s deeply rooted in their biology.”

One way to support your cat’s evolutionary need for heights is through investing in a cat tree, a dedicated structure with multiple tiers for cats to climb and perch on. The benefits of cat trees “go way beyond offering vertical space,” Merlin explained. “Many include scratching surfaces, cozy beds, hidden nooks and plenty of spots to leap and explore.”

Cat trees crucially provide cats with space to express their natural instincts, Merlin noted, and failing to provide this space can have consequences for you and your pet. “Without these outlets, cats can become bored and frustrated, leading to stress and potentially destructive behaviors, such as scratching furniture,” she explained. Cats may even “hid[e] out of fear because they lack the security of a high vantage point.”

Especially if your household has two or more cats, a cat tree “can be a game-changer,” Merlin wrote.

This is because, in multi-cat homes, cats are essentially sharing their territory and, in their view, competing for limited resources. “Without enough space and separate ‘pathways’ where cats can avoid each other, conflicts are more likely,” as well as increased tension, Merlin explained. “Vertical space offers a fantastic way to expand a cat’s ‘real estate’ and avoid these conflicts.”

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To Pre-Rinse Or Not To Pre-Rinse? The Age-Old Dishwasher Argument Has Finally Been Settled

I don’t know about your household, but mine faces the same debate on repeat: should you rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher, or not?

I’d always thought both sides made a valid point ― until I heard from Ian Palmer-Smith, appliance expert at Domestic & General, about the topic.

“One of the biggest dishwasher myths is that you need to rinse items before loading them,” he shared via email.

Here’s his reasons against pre-rinsing, as well as some other dishwasher tips from the pros.

Why shouldn’t you rinse your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher?

Palmer-Smith says that, in short, the practice is just a bit useless: “Pre-rinsing plates is a bit like hand washing your car before taking it to the car wash.”

Then, there’s the added boiler costs of using extra hot water (which, though likely not a huge percentage of your bill, are best avoided if not needed).

“In reality, [rinsing before dishwasher use] uses extra unnecessary hot water and typically won’t improve the results. Modern dishwashers use high temperatures designed to break down stubborn stains with little trouble,” he says.

Of course, that’s not to say you should just lob a loaded plate into your appliance, he adds. Scraping is the way forward, Palmer-Smith says, as too much gunk can clog your machine.

He concedes, however: “If you have a pan with some burnt-on food residue it can be a good idea to give it a soak beforehand.”

Still, it’s bad news for the rinsing regiment.

Dishwashers are more energy-efficient than you might think

In case you think I’m escaping the Dish Debate scot-free, you’re wrong; I’m usually a proponent of hand washing, because I always thought dishwashers used way too much energy.

But according to Palmer-Smith, I’m in the wrong.

“Even without pre-rinsing, dishwashers generally use less hot water than hand washing,” he says (that is, of course, if you have a dishwasher already).

“On average, a dishwasher uses water four times more efficiently than washing by hand so if you are running a load when the appliance is full, this can actually ease your energy bills more than most think,” the appliance pro adds ― and it turns out that science agrees.

Well, that’s a load of stress (literally) off my hands…

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Yes Really – This Is The Truth About Your Washing Up Sponge

Where would we be without our trusty washing-up sponge? We use it to clean pretty much everything in our kitchen. Despite it being an item we use nearly every day, most of us aren’t changing our sponges as often as we should.

Think about it, when was the last time you swapped your sponge out for a new one? A few weeks ago? Two months ago? Well, I’m sure you’ll run to the shops and get a new one after realising how much bacteria is found in your favourite kitchen item.

A study found that one single sponge could hold up to more bacteria than the number of people living on this planet. Just let that sink in (pardon the pun).

“The sponge is humid and accumulates food residues which are also food for bacteria, leading to rapid growth of bacteria,” Trond Mretr, a research scientist at Nofima, a Norwegian food research institute said.

Though most of the bacteria found are not harmful, others like salmonella can spread from the sponge to kitchen surfaces, our hands and kitchen equipment which could lead to a potential illness.

What was most shocking to the researchers involved in the study was that the number of times the sponge was cleaned did not affect the level of growth of bacteria.

“The way the consumers used their sponges did not matter much regarding growth of bacteria. It is very difficult for consumers to avoid bacterial growth in the sponges as long as the sponges are not replaced daily,” Mretr explains.

Another study published in Scientific Reports in Germany found that different methods of cleaning sponges such as microwaving or cleaning them with boiling water did not actually get rid of all the bacteria found on the sponge.

Experts suggest using a kitchen brush instead of a sponge, as they found that harmful bacteria has a higher chance of survival in sponges than in brushes.

If you do want to keep using your trusty sponge, make sure they’re replaced at least once a week. Happy cleaning.

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No, You Don’t Need To Die To Benefit From Swedish Death Cleaning

I’ll say it: some mourning processes are absolutely wasted on the dead.

Confessions of lifelong admiration? A chic all-black-clad gathering of your nearest and dearest? I could go for those now, TBH. And now, it seems I have another process to envy (thankfully, it’s appropriate for the living) – Swedish death cleaning.

Swedish what now?

The process, known in Swedish as döstädning, is designed to make it easy for your loved ones to pack away your stuff after you’re gone.

It involves simplifying your life by clearing away your old clutter, with the ultimate aim of chucking out more stuff than you accumulate.

And while cleaning is a big part of the process, Swedish death cleaning is much more of a minimalist exercise in intentionality than it is a weekend-long purge.

The goal is to have a true ‘place’ for everything in your life instead of mindlessly accumulating objects that end up being more of a nuisance than a beloved item (my enormous collection of unread books and I are trying not to feel offended).

She mentions that you should start the system aged around 65, but IMO, it makes too much sense to hold back on.

So, how do I get started?

First of all, there’s no need to get into a decluttering frenzy.

The whole point of death cleaning is to slowly ensure that you’re surrounded only by things that matter to you, so don’t toss the entire contents of your bedside cabinet away in the name of ‘living clean’.

You’ll want to start with the easy (read: massive and annoying) things first.
That mattress you’ve been itching to throw out? The used-once-then-neglected paddleboard you bought during your brief ocean fixation phase? Yeah, those should be the first to go.

After all, Magnusson reckons “Mess is an unnecessary source of irritation” – so the clearing process will be easier if you chuck out the things that annoy you most first.

And you shouldn’t make death cleaning a one-off thing, either. Magnusson says that “Death cleaning is not about dusting or mopping up; it is about a permanent form of organisation that makes your everyday life run more smoothly.”

In other words, a one-off purge won’t cut it.

Don’t forget to include your online clutter, too

It can be tempting to limit your cleaning to the most satisfying, obvious parts of your life, like that crowded mantlepiece or the chaos in your attic.

But when it comes to Swedish death cleaning, ‘clutter’ just means anything that gets in the way more than it enriches your life, and which would be overwhelmingly annoying for someone else to clean up.

And yes, that does include your 5,687 unread emails (number sourced from nowhere in particular *cough cough*).

Remember, it’s about starting to sustainably shed more of life’s excess materials than you gain. So I reckon it’s about time we make a pact to delete three unflattering old selfies and blurred pocket pics for every new one we take, don’t you?

Think about what your extra stuff really means to you and others around you

A core part of Swedish death cleaning is centreing the other people in your life, and then considering how all your belongings affect them.

Of course, this consideration has an incredibly specific application when you’re actually using it for death cleaning – in that case, it’s worth asking yourself if your daughter really has room to store your beloved grandfather clock.

But anyone who’s lived with more than two other people will know how intrusive other people’s accumulations can be. Consider whether or not your unused, spare room-consuming camping gear or cutlery drawer-dominating melon baller is as meaningful to you as it might be annoying to those around you.

And you can keep others in mind when disposing of your items, too. If all this chucking out seems wasteful, remember, it doesn’t need to be – part of Swedish death cleaning is thinking about who might want to use the stuff that isn’t serving you anymore.

In other words, gifting, donating, and selling are part and parcel of the process.

So, fellow hoarders, if you’re also growing weary of your Vague Piles of Indiscriminate Stuff, it might be time for both of us to take a lesson from the Swedes.

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Love Hosting But Short On Space? This 6-In-1 Transformer Table Is The Perfect Solution

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

Transformer Table is one – if not the – furniture brand to have on your radar.

Best known for its namesake product, the Transformer Table is an extendable dining table perfect for anyone who loves to host, no matter how big, or small, your home space is.

About Transformer Table

The Canadian brand first launched in 2016, but it wasn’t until a few years later the modular furniture became an internet sensation.

Just last year Instagram creator Rasha Abdel Reda put the brand, and the signature Transformer Table, on the map.

Rasha shared a video of her assembling, and dismantling, the Transformer Table, which amassed over 300 million views across numerous social media platforms, including over four million likes on Instagram alone. It has since been reported this clip was one of the most viewed videos on the online platform of all time.

The Transformer Table is not only an internet sensation, but a top-rated product with over 1100 glowing reviews, and a sell out success, as thousands of the innovative design sold in 24 hours alone during last year’s Black Friday sale.

The company has created an array of home furnishings in addition to the Transformer Table and Bench, including modular couches and outdoor furniture, which save space, yet look stylish.

According to the brand, every Transformer product is constructed to save space, giving you the freedom to adjust it to any size room and any social occasion.

So, what is so unique about the Transformer Table?

The signature Transformer Table has been such a popular hit because it can expand from just 18 inches up to 10 ft long with ease.

It can become either a side table, or a coffee table with no panels, or be fully extended with five panels to make a dining table to seat 12 people comfortably.

<img class="img-sized__img landscape" loading="lazy" alt="At its largest, the Transformer Table can fit 12 people around” width=”720″ height=”405″ src=”https://www.wellnessmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/love-hosting-but-short-on-space-this-6-in-1-transformer-table-is-the-perfect-solution-4.jpg”>

It is a sustainable creation, as the table and benches have been created using FSC-certified wood, which has been sourced from responsibly managed forests.

The heavy-duty telescopic mechanism makes it easy to extend, even on your own, and enables this sturdy design to hold up to 340kg of weight.

Shoppers can also choose to add however many panels may suit their needs or space – for example, just one panel will transform the table into a four-seater.

<img class="img-sized__img landscape" loading="lazy" alt="You can choose the number of panels to buy to increase the size” width=”720″ height=”405″ src=”https://www.wellnessmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/love-hosting-but-short-on-space-this-6-in-1-transformer-table-is-the-perfect-solution-5.jpg”>

The best part is the table has already been fitted, so no assembly is needed. All you have to do is extend the table to your designated size, fit the panels on top, and host.

Once assembled, customers can leave as is to make a permanent feature, extend for when guests arrive, or tuck away, to create a worktop or coffee table, if you are tight for space – it really is a fuss-free, practical and stylish item of furniture, you’ll be amazed you ever lived without.

What colours does it come in?

The Transformer Table comes in five colours; a classic American Mahogany, Siberian Birch, which is a grey hue; Canadian Dark Oak that verges on a deep black; as well as lighter options, such as the Australian Acacia and Farmhouse White, perfect for those opting for a muted colour palette in the home.

The Transformer Table can have a range of uses

Transformer Table

The Transformer Table can have a range of uses

How can I buy the Transformer Table?

If you are looking for a stylish storage option to keep any panels you don’t need out of sight, the Transformer Coffee Table Panel Storage Unit and Coffee Table, which retails for £699, is a gamechanger.

Transformer Table has heard our cries for expertly curated bundles to help us save more, and ensure we have all the essential items for our next family gathering.

The four packages include the Practical, the Host, the Gathering and The Family, which feature different seating options, from one extendable bench to two, the table and individual chairs, or a combination of both.

The fun doesn’t stop there as Transformer Table has created a modular couch, which can fetch from £899 for a single coach piece to £7,199 for a 10-piece sofa, as well as a variety of outdoor living furniture to while away the hours on with an Aperol Spritz in hand this summer.

Are there any other offers at the moment?

As part of the Transformer Table’s sale, shoppers can claim a free bench, which could save you over £1000.

Transformer Table now offers free shopping to over 35 countries worldwide, on orders over $999 (£831).

Whether you live in a studio flat, or five-bedroom mansion, Transformer Table has something to suit every interior style, space and budget.

All that’s next is to arrange your next house party, and we think the arrival of the Transformer Table is a worthy cause for celebration.

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There’s A Reason This Magic Fitted Bed Sheet Keeps Selling Out

There is no better feeling than putting freshly laundered sheets on your bed, slipping into your cosy pyjamas after a long soak in the bath, and settling down to sleep for the night after a busy week at work.

It’s all the better when those fresh sheets boast a luxe feel, and are easy on the purse strings.

Rise & Fall ticks those boxes, as the brand prides itself on luxury quality products, which have a more affordable price tag than rival brands.

The Luxury Fitted Sheet in particular has proved to be a sell out success shoppers can’t get enough of.

Rise and Fall’s fitted sheet is currently available in two different materials; the Crisp & Cool, as well as the Soft & Smooth fitted sheet.

The Crisp & Cool variation has a 400 thread count, which is ideal for those looking for a lightweight, breathable fabric to prevent sleepers from overheating, especially in the warmer months.

But it’s the Soft & Smooth fitted sheet with a 600 thread count, which has caused quite a stir – in the best way.

Rise & Fall’s Soft & Smooth Luxury Fitted Sheet is not only silky smooth against your skin, but it is deep enough to fit shallow, deep and extra deep mattresses, so there is no more tugging at one side only for the other to frustratingly ping off.

This ultra luxurious sheet has been woven from the world’s finest extra-long staple cotton fibres using the brand’s go-to four up, one down, sateen technique, which is the secret to creating bedding that is soft to the touch.

This bedding must-have also features an extra wide elastic hem to prevent the fabric from curling up at the corners, and provides the perfectly snug fit on your mattress.

Rise & Fall’s innovative design also features a label so you know which is the short side of the bed, to save you time when it comes to changing your bedding – a chore nobody enjoys.

The Soft & Smooth fitted sheet comes in three colours, white, warm grey and ivory chalk, which are also available in seven sizes, from single, double, to king size, and emperor, plus many more.

However, stock is selling out fast, especially as there is up to 30% off the grey and ivory chalk colourways.

Though it is unknown how long the sale, or stock, will last for, what we do know is it is the only sheet we want lining our mattresses forever more.

The Rise & Fall Soft & Smooth Luxury Fitted Shift usually retails for £35, but the discount sees the two select colourways slashed to £24.50, which is a bargain not to be missed.

The Soft & Smooth fitted sheet has been recognised as one of Rise & Fall’s bestsellers, as it sold out of the popular sizes in three days, and it has garnered glowing reviews from shoppers.

Customers are head over heels for the fitted sheet, as some have hailed it a “miracle” and “gamechanger”.

One customer gushed: “This sheet actually stays on! It’s a miracle.”

Another glowing review read: “Just perfect, the best fitted cotton sheets I’ve ever had. So soft, cool and luxurious. Great value for money.”

A separate shopper raved: “Beautiful high quality fitted sheet. Love the label to tell you what end to put the sheet, and most importantly the wide elastic that ensures it stays put without sagging.”

The good news doesn’t stop there as the retailer has teased the Fitted Sheet will be launching in new colours, although those details currently remain under wraps.

Interior fanatics, or the house proud shopper, will be pleased to learn there are plenty of other bedding options to shop from the Soft & Smooth range online, including a Luxury Flat Sheet, Luxury Pillow cases, as well as Oxford Luxury Pillow Cases and a Luxury Duvet Cover.

Rise & Fall also sell a range of bedding

Rise & Fall

Rise & Fall also sell a range of bedding

Rise & Fall has also created a bedding bundle, which includes the fitted sheet, duvet cover, as well as two standard size pillowcases, and has been reduced from £75 to £52.50.

The retailer also has an array of duvets, pillows, throws and home scents to shop to transform your bedroom into a hotel-like suite.

The label doesn’t only stock bedding, but an array of womenswear and menswear fashion garments, and a variety of accessories, including hats and scarves, as well as a variety of bags, such as make-up pouches, washbags, handbags, tote bags, and cardholders.

Shoppers are eligible for free delivery on orders over £75, plus free 30-day returns, just in case there is any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase, which we highly doubt.

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When Is Wayfair’s Way Day Sale And What Are The Best Deals?

​​We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.

So, you pride yourself on being a savvy shopper when it comes to deals and discounts. You’re a Prime Day pro, you can bosh Black Friday, and you’re all over the hidden savings to be found in Ebay’s refurbished section.

But you’re missing a trick if you’re not also mining Way Day – Wayfair’s annual 48-hour sale, a great time to nab some big savings on even bigger ticket items for your home and garden.

When Is Way Day 2022?

Wayfair’s biggest sale of the year is actually a two-day affair, running from 12am the morning of Wednesday April 27 through to midnight on Thursday April 28.

That adds up to 48 hours of discounts on a huge range of items across Wayfair.co.uk, with free delivery on orders over £40 to most UK addresses.

What are the best Way Day deals?

Way Day is a great time to pick up those tick list items you’ve been wanting for your home and garden, whether that’s kitting out your bedroom, sitting room, home office, nursery or outdoor space. And there’s also a wealth of soft furnishings and accessories to be snapped up on site.

Among this year’s deals, the home retailer is selling beds for at little as £99.99, garden furniture sets under £200, and sofas for a bargainous £249.99. The discounts have even started early with 70% already off some items.

Categories on sale will include:

We’ll be rounding up the best savings to be made on home and outdoor ware in this year’s sale right here on HuffPost Shopping as Way Day progresses.

Stay tuned as we update our shopping guides on this page and you can also sign up for alerts on a range of homeware categories on the Wayfair site.

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How To Remove Furniture Scratches With Toothpaste – And Other DIY TikTok Hacks

After spending several months indoors, many of us have started to look at our homes with brand new eyes. Broken cupboards and stains on the floor aren’t easy to ignore when you’re in your house 24/7.

The world of DIY can be daunting, but there are several DIY hacks that can make your life easier, and you’ll find an abundance of them on social media. Over the past month, there’s been over one million global searches for DIY on TikTok alone.

The experts at OnBuy Drills investigated the most popular home improvement hacks that are worth a try, according to TikTok. Our minds are officially blown.

1. Removing candle wax from furniture with ice cubes

With Christmas approaching, many will start putting candles out to celebrate the festive season. However, if you do ever spill candle wax on furniture you should avoid scraping it off.

Instead, fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and place over the wax. The wax will harden enough so that it can be picked off without ruining your expensive goods. TikToker @diyonthefly amazed followers with this beneficial hack gaining 458,000 views.

2. Drilling a hole at the bottom of your bin

Don’t we all just hate that feeling when you can’t seem to get your bin bag out of the bin. Did you know that drilling a hole in the side of your bin will keep the bag from getting stuck? This gets rid of the vacuum-like seal, helping to easily pull out the bag. However, avoid drilling the holes too low, because that might cause a mess with the bin bag leaking. The hack is demonstrated below by @familyhandyman.

3. Drilling a drainage hole into your plant pot or vases

If you’ve got an indoor pot that you want to use outdoors, it’ll need a drainage hole – and you can create one with a drill. Start off with a firm amount of pressure, push the drill into the pot, until the drill bit digs into the surface. Always use a consistent, medium speed to avoid the drill bit spinning too fast. A viral video by TikTok user @justcrazyplantmom with 88,000 views showed followers step by step how to safely do so.

4. Use a plastic glove and sock to paint uneven areas

To paint uneven areas such as staircase spindles, the quickest way to do so is by putting on a rubber glove, followed by a sock, then using your hand to paint. A viral video from TikToker @diywithemma demonstrated the job can be done in a fraction of the time, accumulating 3.5 million views for this DIY hack.

5. Remove stains and scratches using toothpaste

Using a small amount of non-gel toothpaste can effectively remove all traces of scratches from furniture, irons, cutlery and even trainers, apparently. Simply apply a small amount of toothpaste to a damp cloth, then rub gently in circular motions. Don’t forget to then clean the excess toothpaste with another cloth.

6. Remove rust from tools and stainless steel

To remove any rust from tools or stainless steel, you simply place them in a tub or container with white vinegar and table salt. As seen on TikTok, @mrfixitdiy demonstrates the impressive results after soaking tools for 24 hours, gaining 3.2 million views with this hack.

7. Use a hairdryer to get crayon marks off the walls

When kids get their hands on crayons it can spell disaster, however @aftontaylor on TikTok has taught us a simple way to remove all traces of it. Start by using a hairdryer to heat the wall for a few seconds to soften the crayon wax, then wipe off with a soft cloth.

8. Wrap a rubber band around the neck of the soap dispenser to avoid overuse

Wrapping a rubber band around the neck of a soap dispenser will slow its flow, meaning you will get the perfect amount of soap with each pump. TikToker @miseenplace-au demonstrated this tip in a TikTok video, amazing her 17,900 followers of how effective this hack is.

9. Make a dust catcher when drilling a hole

As shown by @toolstour to their 1.3 million followers in a TikTok video, this simple hack involves cutting off the end of a bottle, drilling a hole into the bottom, then placing this through the drill bit. This will collect all traces of dust when drilling.

10. The right way to use a bin bag

The easiest way to use a bin bag is simply placing the opened drawstring edge over the top rim of the rubbish bin, then pushing down inside the bag removing all the air. TikToker @ch0zi stunned fans with this easy hack, reaching 22.9 million views.

When doing DIY at home it’s important for you to be safe.

OnBuy Drills have provided some useful safety tips when handling DIY tools from home:

  1. Always wear protective clothing such as safety glasses, gloves and dust masks, to avoid any injuries.

  2. Always use the correct tools for the job! It’s better to invest in high quality tools, as they will not only get the job done quicker and safer, but they will come in handy again for future DIY projects.

  3. When using knives or sharp objects, never cut towards you, as a slip on a finger could easily provoke injuries.

  4. When using tools such as hammers, use a needle nose plier when hammering small nails into the wall. Trying to hold small nails with your fingers can be dangerous, using a needle nose plier will ensure that your fingers are out of the way.

  5. And most importantly, ladders are one of the main causes of DIY accidents. Ensure that you never lean to one side of the ladder, as you could lose your balance. If you are unable to reach the designated area, pause and adjust the ladder closer.

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