Shania King-Soyza

Chef and food blogger Erren Hart recommends oven-roasting broccoli with garlic, olive oil, lemon and Parmesan instead of boiling it. The recipe takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 20–25 minutes to cook, serves six, and works as a side dish with meat, fish, tofu, chickpeas, pasta or rice. Hart also advises adjusting or omitting added salt because Parmesan is naturally high in sodium.

Nutritionist Dr Federica Amati says most young, healthy people should generally drink in response to thirst rather than aim rigidly for two litres of water daily. Hydration needs vary with body weight, activity, age and climate, while fluids from food also contribute. A Nuffield Health specialist suggests roughly 35 millilitres per kilogram of body weight, but warns that excessive intake can deplete minerals and insufficient intake may contribute to kidney stones. Rehydration salts are mainly recommended after prolonged intense sweating, not as a daily habit, because of their sodium content.

A first-person test of a fly curtain, an electric racket and ceiling sticky traps found the sticky traps to be the most reliable option. Although unattractive and unpleasant once covered with flies, a £6.99 pack of 16 costs about 44p per strip and caught numerous flies within 48 hours. The curtain was judged costly and limited in coverage, while the electric racket required speed and precision and proved unpleasant to use.

Japanese maples are vulnerable to heat because their shallow roots can dry out and suffer damage from fertiliser during hot weather. Specialists recommend stopping fertilisation after early May and applying a 5–8cm layer of organic mulch around the root zone, while keeping it away from the trunk. Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and gradually enrich the soil. Deep watering, preferably early in the morning and directed at the roots through a soaker hose or drip irrigation system, further reduces drought stress and the risk of fungal disease or leaf scorch.

The article recommends closing blinds, curtains and shutters before temperatures peak, using reflective window coverings, and opening windows in the evening to create cross-ventilation. It advises concentrating cooling efforts in one or two rooms, avoiding heat-producing spaces such as kitchens, and using fans efficiently when necessary, including positioning them near windows or placing ice beneath them in very hot conditions.

A natural drain-cleaning method uses one cup of baking soda followed by two cups of vinegar, left to fizz under a covered plughole for 10 minutes before flushing with hot water and lemon. The technique may help with minor blockages and odours, but experts caution that it is unlikely to resolve serious grease or hair clogs, and some users warn that baking soda could solidify in pipes. Baking soda with salt, or salt alone followed by boiling water, are offered as alternatives.

Experts warn that using clothes pegs during summer drying can leave pressure marks, creases and other damage to garments. Brabantia highlights how tight or prolonged clipping strains fabric, while Superdry recommends avoiding pegs for delicate items and suggests outdoor drying racks, reshaping clothes beforehand and using sunlight for natural whitening. Additional tips include shaking garments, spacing them out and hanging items to prevent stretching and reduce ironing.

Garlic is recommended as a low-cost natural repellent to keep rats and mice away during peak summer breeding season. DIY expert Glen Peskett explains that the strong sulfur compounds in garlic overwhelm rodents’ sense of smell, discouraging them from entering homes. Placing garlic near entry points and addressing attractants such as clutter, food waste and unsealed gaps helps reduce the likelihood of infestation. Additional natural deterrents include garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar.

A cleaning expert highlights that pushing the toilet’s water level down with a brush to expose the waterline is a commonly overlooked step that prevents limescale and stains. Regular cleaning, including the use of toilet cleaner, descaler and acid-based products such as CLR, vinegar or lemon juice, helps remove mineral deposits and rust-related marks. Consistent maintenance reduces buildup and limits the need for intensive scrubbing.